Name: Francoise Le Mort, Infancy and childhood in Cyprus during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period
Start: 2025-10-06T19:45:00+03:00
End: 2025-10-06T21:15:00+03:00
Location: University of Cyprus, Old Campus, Kallipoleos Avenue

Francoise Le Mort, Infancy and childhood in Cyprus during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period

The Archaeological Research Unit of the University of Cyprus
invites you to a hybrid public lecture (ZOOM & Amphitheatre E010),
Old Academy Campus, Kallipoleos street
on Monday, October 6th 2025, at 19:45 (Athens/Nicosia Time)
by
Dr. Francoise Le Mort
Emeritus Research Director CNRS,
UMR 5133 Archéorient: environnements et sociétés de l’Orient ancient, Maison de l’Orient et de la Méditerranée Jean Pouilloux, Lyon, France
titled:
Infancy and childhood in Cyprus during the Pre-Pottery Neolithic period
For registration, please, click here: https://ucy.zoom.us/meeting/register/1N5wQ7adRrKaIVXdbvZK5w
Summary:
Remains of immature individuals are rare in the Cypriot Pre-Pottery Neolithic period, except at the Khirokitia site (7th–early 6th millennium BC), where a large number of human remains have been found (minimum number of individuals: 243). Interestingly, an unusual age distribution and a wide range of pathologies were observed in the juvenile sample (minimum number of individuals: 135). The ratio of juveniles to adults appears to be consistent with that of an ancient population. Conversely, the age distribution of the juvenile sample is rather unusual, revealing a high proportion of infants under one year old (45% of the total sample and 81% of the juveniles), as well as a low proportion of juveniles over one year old. Bone lesions are common. Macroscopic observations strongly suggest the presence of deficiency, infectious and perhaps hereditary diseases. In order to access the inner structure of the affected bones and strengthen the macroscopic diagnosis, microcomputed tomography (μ-CT) imaging techniques were applied to a selected set of individuals. μ-CT allows non-destructive study of pathologies. The study revealed that immature individuals suffered from diseases such as neonatal scurvy, tuberculosis and anaemia. Additionally, the inhabitants of the village practised skull modification, a procedure that can only be performed on infants. Finally, the study of burial practices at Khirokitia provided a rich source of information regarding the place devoted to immature individuals in the society, shedding light on the social and cultural significance of these practices. Indeed, at Khirokitia, where people lived close to the dead, individuals did not bury their dead differently according to age.
All Monday lectures are free and open to the public, but registration is required for access to the Zoom lecture.