Valérie Delattre, an archaeo-anthropologist at Inrap, will deliver a lecture as part of the exhibition Maternities: archaeology of the maternal figure, which is being held on the occasion of Science Day. The lecture will examine archaeological research on motherhood and the early stages of children's lives, exploring how the role of mothers has been historically perceived and whether it was always seen as a duty solely focused on reproduction. Delattre’s talk will question the assumption that motherhood has always been defined by the biological imperative to reproduce. She will consider the idea that, in many historical periods, women had more agency in deciding whether or not to become mothers—a perspective that has only recently gained recognition. This view challenges traditional narratives that often portrayed women as passive figures bound by the constraints of nature and male authority. The lecture will also address the historical pressures women faced, including the risks of successive pregnancies, the influence of male-dominated societal structures, and the limited regard for the dangers of childbirth. In many historical contexts, the loss of a mother during childbirth was not considered as significant as it is today. Scientific research in the past often reduced women to their maternal roles, linking them to domestic duties and reproductive responsibilities. A new approach in archaeology, known as societal archaeology, supported by advances in paleogenetics, is reshaping our understanding of women’s roles in ancient societies. This field highlights the active and committed roles women played beyond motherhood. However, Delattre emphasizes that this rediscovery should not overshadow the experiences of mothers and their children throughout history—experiences marked by choices, expectations, the risks of childbirth, and the grief associated with perinatal loss.