Research Note The Skewed Sex Ratio in a Medieval Population: A Reinterpretation
Michael Siegfried
Recent studies in social history suggest that the practice of female infanticide was widespread early medieval society. While much work on is sound, particularly anthropological which observed first hand, interpretations historical data are less certain. In particular, from ninth-century French monastic tax rolls known as Carolingian polyptychs assumed to reflect (Coleman, 1971; 1974; 1976; de Mause, Guttentag and Secord, 1983). The recorded Polyptychs biased a manner reflecting Church’s teachings functions, giving impression skewed sex ratio favoring males this population. Anthropological lead us doubt practiced extent suggested by polyptychs.
Social Science History