Bioarchaeological studies of people in Mesopotamia are scarce compared with other regions. This study investigated the prevalences of cribra orbitalia, enamel hypoplasia, and porotic hyperostosis on human skeletal remains excavated from the Hamrin Basin in the middle Tigris River, spanning from ~4000 BC to the Islamic period. The prevalence of cribra orbitalia and enamel hypoplasia was high and remained around 70–80% until the first century. The prevalence of stress indicators decreased in the Islamic period. The hypothesis that the rapid cooling and aridification in West Asia around 2000 BC increased stress levels was not statistically supported in this study. It seems that Mesopotamians were exposed to generally higher stresses than the Egyptians in contemporary periods.

Southeast Asia has a rich heritage of postpartum customs, many of which are gradually being forgotten and replaced by modern allopathic practices. This is particularly true in Brunei Darussalam where documentation of postpartum customs is lacking. This study explores the postpartum traditions and practices of three indigenous groups in Brunei—Kedayans, Brunei Malays, and Lun Bawangs. A qualitative study was conducted in the form of interviews at market areas and homes of the respondents, primarily targeting the Kedayan, Brunei Malay and Lun Bawang indigenous groups. Data were collected from 57 respondents, including traditional medical practitioners, elderly villagers knowledgeable in traditional medicine, postnatal caregivers, and parents of young children. The re‍spondents were interviewed with predesigned questions about their knowledge of, and experience with, traditional postpartum practices and herbal plant preparations. Our study revealed similarities between the plants and practices adopted by the indigenous groups, especially between the Malays and Kedayans. The postpartum practices of the three groups can be generally categorized into the following: confinement period, ‘mother roasting,’ baths, massages, stomach binding (berbarut), topical applications, dietary prescriptions and restrictions (pantang), herbal drinks, breast care, healing of the delivery wounds, and removal of stitches. Behavioural taboos during the postnatal period and trends among younger generations were also discussed. The traditional postpartum practices of the Bruneian indigenous groups are unique and represent a significant part of Bruneian custom and culture. It is imperative to document and promote beneficial customary postpartum practices to preserve the indigenous traditions of Brunei.