Baby carriers already existed in ancient times. This has been confirmed by the latest archaeological excavations conducted at the prehistoric site of Arma Veirana in Liguria, northern Italy, led by Claudine Gravel-Miguel (Arizona State University - ASU) in collaboration with Emanuela Cristiani and Andrea Zupancich of the Department of Oral and Maxillo-Facial Sciences of Sapienza University (DANTE - Diet and Ancient Technology laboratory).

The research, which resulted in a recent article published in the Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, provides evidence for the use of baby carriers dating back some 10,000 years.

Given the need for populations to move frequently to take care of their subsistence, even while their offspring were growing up, it has been assumed that infant transport solutions, similar to modern baby carriers, have existed since prehistoric times. To date, however, it has not been possible to establish when this practice began due to both the perishable nature of the materials used to make baby carriers and the scarcity of infant burials.

The burial of a forty to fifty-day-old baby girl, nicknamed Neve, found at the archaeological site in Liguria, revealed the presence of ornaments consisting of over seventy small perforated shells and four large perforated bivalve pendants. The studies revealed that the beads were sewn onto the fabric, later deteriorated, and used to wrap and bury the newborn girl's body. Innovative analytical methods enabled the creation of a high-definition 3D model of the burial, which, together with microCT scanning of the ornaments, revealed signs of their use. Analysis of the traces of wear and tear found on the shells, which could not have developed during the child's short life, led to the assumption that they had belonged to other community members for a long time before being given to the newborn.

Evidence of this type of decoration has also been found at other prehistoric sites; the complexity of the ornaments suggests the technical effort required to produce them and, together with the practice of reusing the beads over time, leads one to reflect on the community's decision to part with the shells. The studies thus provide scientific evidence on funerary behaviour and childcare 10,000 years ago, showing that family ties were already extremely important at that time. It can be argued that the relatives of little Neve decorated the pouch using jewellery as a family memento or amulet.

"This new research," says Emanuela Cristiani, "contributes to the growing literature on childcare in prehistory and the likely use and reuse of beads to protect individuals and maintain social bonds within a community, providing evidence on the use of baby carriers and family ornaments".