Infancy and Death in Medieval Wallonia (Belgium): Some Burial and Biological Aspects

This study investigates infant burials (foetal to 3 years old) in early medieval Wallonia (seventh–twelfth centuries AD) through archaeothanatological analysis of two recently excavated urban religious sites: Liège (Notre-Dame-aux-Fonts) and Mons (Rampe Sainte-Waudru). Twenty-four individuals were examined for grave location, architecture, burial arrangement, age, and palaeopathology. Infants typically received careful funerary treatment, often in wooden or soft containers, mirroring that of older individuals. Occasional double burials with adults raise questions about familial and community relationships. Individuals aged 1–3 years are overrepresented, though incomplete excavations limit demographic interpretation. Biological status – age or health – did not appear to influence burial care; only two showed pathology, one possibly from birth trauma. The integration of these burials in key religious centres reflects infants’ recognised social value within community. Findings enhance understanding of early medieval attitudes towards childhood and call for further study of the social and biological determinants of infant burial practices.