Vaikai XVII a. kaimo bendruomeneje remiantis Rakaučiznos kapinyno tyrimais

LTReikšminiai žodžiai: Kaimo bendruomenė; Naujieji laikai, kapinynų archeologija, antropologija, visuomenė; Rakaučiznos kapinynas; Sveikata; Vaikai; Children; Health; Lithuania; New Ages (Early modern period), burial archaeology, anthropology, society; Rakaučizna burial-ground; Rural community.

ENThe article focuses on the life, social status, life quality and health of children of rural Lithuanian century. The text provides an analysis of the data collected in Rakaučizna burial-ground (Ukmergė Distr.) during the excavations in 2012-2014. The burial-ground is significant due to fact that out of 59 discovered graves; more than 60 per cent of the dead were children under the age of 12. The overall investigation of Rakaučizna burial-ground provides significant facts about a difficult life of rural people of the 17th century Lithuania. Having assessed the population census of the i9th-2oth centuries, having calculated the approximate size of Rakaučizna population and assessed the results of the interdisciplinary research, it is assumed that both the village people and the patients and nurslings of Pabaiskas hospital, which is mentioned in written resources, were buried in the burial-ground in the 17th century. The investigation of children's graves clearly point to the changes of the social status that is manifested through the grave shroud. New-borns, babies and small children under 4-5 years of age were most often buried wrapped in sheets and without shroud. Meanwhile, the graves of 5-12 year old children contain significantly more shroud. A bigger number of 5-12 year old children were buried in plank coffins. The changes of the burial traditions demonstrate the gradual integration of 5-12 year old children as members of the active community.The anthropological investigation of children's remains demonstrated that about a half of all children aged 1-12 suffered from anaemia, scurvy or periostitis. The odontological analysis revealed that the teeth of most 2-11 year old children were obviously worn, affected by decay or enamel hypoplasia. The afore-said facts prove that children suffered from constant stress, consumed food of poor quality and lead an impoverished way of life. Historical resources do not provide with substantial information about children's life in the discussed area in the 17th century; therefore, the investigation of the burial-ground helps to understand the children's history not only of one village, but also of the whole district. The research results confirm that Lithuanian children of a lower social status that were born and grew in a complicated period of wars and plagues were the most vulnerable layer of the society. Such a situation was conditioned by diseases, domestic accidents, poverty, family bereavement, etc. The Death expectation of new-borns, babies and small children was tremendous - 46 %; despite the fact that this indicator decreased to 19 % in the age group of 5-12 year olds, the risk of death is considered to be warningly high. [From the publication]

• Archeologija / Archaeology
• Istorija / History