Archaeology of steroid hormones

Funded by the Volkswagen Foundation's Pioneering Research – Exploring the Unknown Unknown initiative with 1.4 milion over 4 years, the project brings together archaeology, endocrinology, and molecular science to open a new chapter in how we understand reproductive life in the past. While traditional archaeological methods have allowed researchers to infer aspects of health, childbirth, and aging through skeletal or isotopic markers, these approaches often rely on indirect evidence. Hormones, however, are the very molecules that regulate biological transitions such as puberty, pregnancy, lactation, and menopause. Until now, they have remained inaccessible in archaeological research.

This study aims at the direct detection of estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone preserved in human bone, using advanced techniques in archaeosciences. It will allow us to reconstruct hormone fluctuations across the female life course, providing unprecedented insight into fertility patterns, maternal health, and reproductive aging in historical populations. Our work focuses on two unique skeletal collections: one from the Basel-Spitalfriedhof in Switzerland and another from the village of Inden in western Germany. Both collections include identified individuals with detailed medical and historical records—an exceptional resource for validating biomolecular data against known life events such as pregnancies or age at menopause. By combining hormonal profiles with osteological analysis and stable isotope data, and by drawing on detailed archival sources, we aim to link biochemical evidence directly to lived experiences.

At the heart of this project lies a deep commitment to making invisible lives visible. Reproductive histories—especially those of women—are rarely captured in the historical record or preserved in archaeological analysis. Through this innovative approach, we hope not only to develop a new scientific method but also to enrich our understanding of how social, environmental, and biological factors shaped fertility and survival in the past.

The implications of this research go far beyond archaeology. It lays the foundation for new conversations across disciplines, from historical endocrinology and evolutionary biology to public health and forensic science. It also opens the door to novel applications in the study of animals and ecosystems, where steroid hormones can help trace the effects of pollution, stress, or domestication on reproductive health. This project is experimental and high-risk—but with the potential for high reward. By exploring uncharted territory in molecular bioarchaeology, it promises to expand the boundaries of what we know about the human body, reproduction, and resilience through time.