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Population Dynamics in Italy in the Middle Ages: New Insights from Archaeological Findings

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  • Irene Barbiera
  • Gianpiero Dalla‐Zuanna
Abstract
Studies of settlements in Italy indicate that during the Early Middle Ages (6th–9th centuries) the Italian population was stagnant, whereas a slow but persistent growth followed during the High Middle Ages (10th–13th). However, the components of the dynamics of the Italian population in the long period between the Justinian Plague (around 565 in Italy) and the Black Death (1348) are largely unknown. In this article, data from anthropometric analysis of the skeletons in 154 Italian cemeteries that date between the 1st century BCE and the 13th century are used to gain new insights on mortality of adults and nutrition. Adult mortality was higher during the Early Middle Ages than during the Roman Empire and the High Middle Ages, suggesting that the stagnation of population was determined by higher mortality. During the Early Middle Ages, however, nutritional levels were higher, as suggested by taller statures, more widespread meat consumption, and longer periods of breastfeeding. We discuss some possible research lines to resolve this apparent contradiction.

Suggested Citation

  • Irene Barbiera & Gianpiero Dalla‐Zuanna, 2009. "Population Dynamics in Italy in the Middle Ages: New Insights from Archaeological Findings," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 35(2), pages 367-389, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:popdev:v:35:y:2009:i:2:p:367-389
    DOI: 10.1111/j.1728-4457.2009.00283.x
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    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1728-4457.2009.00283.x
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Moradi, Alexander & Baten, Joerg, 2005. "Inequality in Sub-Saharan Africa: New Data and New Insights from Anthropometric Estimates," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 33(8), pages 1233-1265, August.
    2. Wickham, Chris, 2005. "Framing the Early Middle Ages: Europe and the Mediterranean, 400-800," OUP Catalogue, Oxford University Press, number 9780199264490.
    3. Samuel H. Preston & Michael R. Haines, 1991. "Fatal Years: Child Mortality in Late Nineteenth-Century America," NBER Books, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc, number pres91-1.
    4. Steckel, Richard H., 2005. "Young adult mortality following severe physiological stress in childhood: Skeletal evidence," Economics & Human Biology, Elsevier, vol. 3(2), pages 314-328, July.
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    1. Maddalena Cavicchioli & Barbara Pistoresi, 2020. "Unfolding the relationship between mortality, economic fluctuations, and health in Italy," The European Journal of Health Economics, Springer;Deutsche Gesellschaft für Gesundheitsökonomie (DGGÖ), vol. 21(3), pages 351-362, April.
    2. Irene Barbiera & Maria Castiglioni & Gianpiero Dalla Zuanna, 2018. "A synthetic measure of mortality using skeletal data from ancient cemeteries: The d index," Demographic Research, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany, vol. 38(65), pages 2053-2072.

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