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Ancient Bones Reveal Secrets of Pregnancy Hormones

10/31/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Researchers developed a method to test ancient remains for pregnancy hormones, potentially revealing pregnancy at death.
The Journal of Archaeological Science study identified estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in bones and teeth from skeletons dating to around A.D. 1000.
Lead author Aimée Barlow called it a "hormone archive" that could expand knowledge of past reproductive histories.
Experts caution the technique needs further validation and study of hormone preservation in burial environments.

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Story summary

Researchers developed a method to test ancient remains for pregnancy hormones, potentially revealing pregnancy at death.
The Journal of Archaeological Science study identified estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone in bones and teeth from skeletons dating to around A.D. 1000.
Lead author Aimée Barlow called it a "hormone archive" that could expand knowledge of past reproductive histories.
Experts caution the technique needs further validation and study of hormone preservation in burial environments.