HMN 2026: How Two rare 5th millennium BC fetal burials in Iran reveal variable prehistoric practices

In a study conducted by Dr. Mahdi Alirezazadeh and Dr. Hanan Bahranipoor, published in Archaeological Research in Asia, two exceptionally well-preserved fetal burials from Chaparabad, Iran, dating to the mid-5th millennium BC, were analyzed including burial L522.1, one of the most complete prehistoric infant burials in the Iranian plateau. Despite being buried only meters apart, the two fetal burials exhibit distinct burial treatments, offering insights into the variable burial practices of prehistoric cultures in southwestern Asia.

Fetal burials

Fetal burials are occasionally discovered during archaeological excavations but remain largely underrepresented in archaeology due to poor preservation. Despite this, the practice of fetal burial has been documented all the way back to the Neolithic period through to the Chalcolithic in Southwest Asia across the Fertile Crescent and the Central Plateau of Iran.

During excavations of the Chaparabad site in Iran between 2021 and 2023, two fetal vessel burials were uncovered, L522.1 and L815.1. The two burials were recovered from an architectural space approximately 310 square meters in size, with L522.1 having been recovered from structure D, interpreted as a kitchen, and L815.1 from what may have been a storage space. Both had been buried within ceramic vessels belonging to the Dalma culture (early 5th millennium BC).

“The burial vessels appear to have been previously used for everyday domestic activities,” explains Dr. Alirezazadeh. “For example, the vessel associated with L522.1 is a Red Slip Ware, a well-known ceramic type within the Dalma cultural tradition, and the smoke staining on its exterior surface suggests prior use as a cooking vessel.”

Together with other ceramics found at the site belonging to both the Dalma and the Pisdeli (late 5th millennium BC) cultures, it was determined that the burials likely took place when both cultures were active around the mid-5th millennium BC.

Skeletal analysis and burial treatment

Due to the exceptionally well-preserved nature of the remains, especially L522.1, for which approximately 90% of the bones were preserved, a detailed quantitative and qualitative analysis was conducted.

Based on the bone fusion and long bone lengths, the fetuses were estimated to have died between 36 and 38 weeks of gestational age. Furthermore, no signs of trauma could be determined on the bones, save for a fracture to the right parietal bone (part of the skull) of L522.1.

Based on the position in which L522.1 was placed in the vessel, with this skull bone located near the rim, it was deemed that the soil pressure during/after burial at the vessel’s opening likely caused the fracture.

Despite their proximity and similar gestational age, the two fetuses received different burial treatments. L522.1 received grave goods including ovicaprid (sheep/goat) remains, which were placed both inside the vessel near the rim and underneath it. Additionally, a worked stone was found near the burial. In contrast, L815.1 was buried without any grave goods and outside of the kitchen within a storage space.

Dr. Alirezazadeh explains that this variation may reflect broader patterns of varied fetal burials exhibited in the region at the time. “Variability in infant burial practices is well documented during the Dalma and Pisdeli (Chalcolithic) periods: some infants were buried with grave goods, while others were not,” explains Dr. Alirezazadeh.

Examples of this variability include fetal burials at Chagar Bazar in Syria featuring burial vessels ranging from weaning bowls to miniature pots, compared to Tell as-Sawwan, where vessels were typically sealed with inverted bowls and ceramic fragments. Additionally, grave goods varied as well. For example, at Girdi Sheytan, a fetus was buried with stone beads, while at Ovçular Tepesi, three copper axes were recovered in the burial, and at Yarim Tepe, near Dalma, all 14 fetal burials contained no grave goods.

This variability seems to be reflected at the Chaparabad site. Dr. Alirezazadeh elaborates, “In the case of these two burials, they were discovered in very close proximity to each other (less than three meters apart), and both belong to the same chronological context. This spatial and temporal closeness allows us to exclude explanations based on broader cultural differences or differences in family rank.

“However, we must emphasize that we did not live within these communities, and therefore, we cannot state with certainty why one infant was accompanied by burial goods while the other was not. Our interpretations can only go as far as the available data allow, and further research and more detailed excavations will be required to investigate this issue more fully.”

Future research endeavors, including ongoing DNA and stable isotope analysis, may provide more insights. The discovery of these two burials underscores the complexity of prehistoric burial practices and the cultural significance afforded to fetal individuals.

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