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PubMed1988

A yellow-stained human femur from Tell esh-Shuqafiya, Egypt: evidence of ancient trauma.

Excavation at Tell esh-Shuqafiya, Egypt, during the 1982 season exposed several Ptolemaic Period burials. One of these, a young adult male, showed a bright yellow stain on the right femur. Analysis of the stain demonstrated it to be hematoidin, a degradation compound derived from hemoglobin associated with old hemorrhage. The specific location of the stain on the skeleton suggests death a few weeks after a severe injury to the thigh.

Adult↗
PubMed1988

New method for assessing changes in growth and sexual dimorphism in paleoepidemiology.

This paper has three goals. First, traditional methods used for analyzing growth disruption (GD) and sexual dimorphism (SD) in prehistoric skeletal populations are critiqued. Second, a new method, using adult vertebrae, is presented which helps overcome these limitations. Third, this new method is then tested in the Dickson Mounds skeletal population. Between A.D. 950 and 1300 this population underwent a transition from hunting and gathering (PreMississippian: PreMiss.) to maize horticulture (Mississippian: Miss.). Previous research has found a decrease in long bone length in Miss. children, but no difference in adults, or a change in SD. Could this be due to catch-up growth? In the adult skeleton vertebral neural canals (VNCs) size and vertebral body heights (VBHs) can easily be measured. VNCs generally cease growth by early childhood, whereas VBHs grow through young adulthood. This new method offers inference into prehistoric GD and SD previously thought impossible. For example, if VNCs are reduced, but not VBHs, it implies early GD with subsequent catch-up growth. If both VNCs and VBHs are reduced, GD was presumably chronic. Moreover, within this framework, preadult SD can be examined. Results from Dickson show that early GD was followed by catch-up growth. There was a significant change in SD, with females becoming smaller. They had chronic GD. Miss. males had early GD, followed by catch-up growth. Indeed, Miss. males, compared to PreMiss. males, had significantly larger VBHs. Together, these results suggest females lost, but males gained, social status. Thus, vertebral morphometrics may be an invaluable new tool for paleoepidemiologists.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Cultural ecology of prehistoric parasitism on the Colorado Plateau as evidenced by coprology.

The study of coprolites (desiccated feces) is recognized as a viable method for analyzing parasitism of prehistoric peoples. Eight species of helminth parasites, including nematodes, cestodes, and acanthcephalans, have been recovered from archaeological sites on the Colorado Plateau. The comparative analysis of parasitological findings illustrates the effects of changing subsistence strategies and varying life-style on prehistoric human parasitism. This comparative study is based on the analysis of coprolites recovered from one Archaic hunter-gatherer site and two Anasazi agricultural villages. Hunter-gatherers are represented by coprolites from Dust Devil Cave in south-eastern Utah. Coprolites of prehistoric agriculturalists from Antelope House in Canyon de Chelly, Arizona, and from Salmon Ruin in northwestern New Mexico were studied. The results demonstrate that helminth parasitism increased with the advent of agriculture. Between the agricultural sites, differences in patterns of excreta disposal, foraging behavior, and local ecology resulted in pronounced variations in both percentage of coprolites containing parasite remains and the number of parasite species represented.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Calcaneus secundarius: an osteo-archaeological note.

Calcaneus secundarius, a minor anatomical variant in the foot, is subclinical and its true prevalence in modern populations is uncertain. The trait is clearly visible in dry bones, and osteo-archeological evidence suggests that it may be a more frequent occurrence than was formerly thought. The etiology of the trait is outlined, and its possible value is assessing "biological distance" in past populations is considered.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Enlarged occlusal surfaces on first molars due to severe attrition and hypercementosis: examples from prehistoric coastal populations of Texas.

During an examination of prehistoric samples from the Texas coast, individuals consistently exhibited a suite of traits on the first molars that included severe wear, hypercementosis, and resorption of the buccal margin of the alveolus. The occlusal surface of the tooth was worn below the cervical margin, with the subsequent incorporation of the buccal surface of the buccal roots into the occlusal plane. This expanded occlusal surface, which extends the buccal surface beyond the normal edge of the tooth, is composed of a combination of original enamel, secondary dentin, and cementum. There is a marked rounding of the buccal aspect of the occlusal surface. These conditions were noted in both maxillary and mandibular first molars. The resorption of alveolar bone surrounding the buccal roots resembles resorption associated with periodontal infection and is thought to be the result of severe levels of stress being applied to this portion of the dentition.

Dental Occlusion↗
PubMed1989

Yugoslav Mesolithic dental reduction.

Yugoslav Mesolithic dentition exhibits maximum mesiodistal reduction compared with contemporary European and North African groups. This reduction is not explained entirely by attrition, and may be seen as a continuation of the European Upper Paleolithic trend. Buccolingual dimension does not reduce as much. In fact, this dimension in premolars and molars is larger than in other groups. This observation also occurs in Natufians, who were grain collectors, hunters, and gatherers. The Yugoslav Mesolithic group was collecting and domesticating Cerelia as well as fishing and hunting. Linear enamel hypoplasias (LEH) indicate childhood stress through the fifth year, which corroborates previously reported incidence of rickets in this group. The central maxillary incisors and canines manifest higher degrees of LEH, but the appearance on the second molars suggest a more severe physiological disruption. Sex differences in distributions of alveolar resorption and calculus suggest differences in diet or nutritional stress. Previous reports indicate that females had higher incidence of osteomalacia. If so, female nutritional stress may explain the extreme mesiodistal reduction and minimal sexual dimorphism in this group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

Possible case of rheumatoid arthritis from Sudanese Nubia.

Due to its apparent absence in archaeologically derived skeletons, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has generally been believed to be of fairly recent origin. A growing body of evidence now demonstrates that erosive lesions typical of RA are present in archaeological populations and that the antiquity of RA may be greater than previously expected. In support of this argument, a case of erosive arthritis is reported in a skeleton from Kulubnarti, Republic of the Sudan (c. 700-1450 A.D.). Lytic, erosive lesions and subchondral cysts are present bilaterally in the carpal and metacarpal joints of a female skeleton with an estimated age at death of 50+ years. These lesions are typical of those seen in clinically diagnosed rheumatoid patients. While their expression and distribution are highly suggestive of RA, interpretation must be made with due consideration for problems of differential diagnosis of this disease in archaeological material.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
PubMed1989

Treponematosis: a possible case from the late prehistoric of North Carolina.

The skeleton of an adult female exhibiting evidence of treponemal infection was recently recovered from the Hardin site in the piedmont region of North Carolina. Archaeological indicators suggest a late prehistoric affiliation. The skeleton is affected by a diffuse process resulting in surface changes, both destructive and appositional, node formation and shaft expansion, medullary encroachment and filling, cortical thickening, and fracture. There is both cranial and postcranial involvement. While treponemal infection is indicated, the atypical nature of the total pattern raises the possibility of multiple pathological processes operating simultaneously. The significance of this case is threefold. It provides information on the ability of prehistoric peoples to cope with disease. It reminds the paleopathologist of the dangers inherent in attempts at singular and specific diagnoses. It sheds new light on the epidemiology of the treponemal diseases.

Bone and Bones↗
PubMed1989

Spondylolysis and its relationship to degenerative joint disease in the prehistoric southeastern United States.

Spondylolysis, a fatigue fracture in the neural arch of lumbar vertebrae, is common in Eskimos and some athletes. In Archaic Indians from northwestern Alabama, 17% of males and 20% of females with complete lumbar regions showed this defect. It is found at a fairly early age in adult males in this group, but in females it does not appear until after age 40 years. Spondylolysis is associated with higher levels of osteoarthritis around the fifth lumbar vertebra, where this defect typically occurs. Otherwise, there is little relationship between its presence and degenerative joint disease, especially in the weight-bearing joints. The incidence in young males may be related to activities necessitating a high level of mobility around the lumbar spine. The late occurrence in females suggests that osteoporosis may have been a contributing factor.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

New hominid fossils from the Swartkrans formation (1979-1986 excavations): craniodental specimens.

Seventy-two individually numbered hominid craniodental fossils from recent excavations at Swartkrans are described. All derive from in situ decalcified breccia and/or unconsolidated sediments. A total of 20 specimens, representing 13 to 16 individuals derive from Member 1 "Lower Bank," two teeth derive from sediments along the Member 1-2 Interface, 38 fossils representing 19 to 24 individuals come from Member 2, and 12 teeth representing 9 to 11 individuals derive from Member 3. All but four of the specimens are attributable at the generic level; one specimen from Member 1 "Lower Bank" and five specimens from Member 2 are attributed to Homo, while the others represent Paranthropus. The proportional representation of Homo in the Swartkrans Formation is markedly higher in Member 2 (c. 33%) than in the Member 1 "Lower Bank" (c. 8%) and Member 1 "Hanging Remnant" (c. 5%) samples.

Africa, Southern↗
PubMed1989

New hominid fossils from the Swartkrans formation (1979-1986 excavations): postcranial specimens.

New postcranial fossils of Paranthropus robustus and Homo cf. erectus were recovered from Swartkrans from 1979 through 1986. These fossils are from Members 1, 2, and 3. The new fossils are described here along with their morphological affinities. Fossils that are assigned to Paranthropus indicate that the South African "robust" australopithecines engaged in tool behavior and were essentially terrestrial bipeds at around 1.8 Myr BP. The manual dexterity and bipedal locomotion of Paranthropus may have equaled that of Homo habilis in East Africa at approximately the same time.

Africa, Southern↗
PubMed1989

Spectrographic analysis of trace elements in archaeological skeletal material from Florida: a preliminary report.

Technological advances have resulted in the development of an additional approach to determining the dietary practices of prehistoric populations. Bones are known to retain certain trace elements, the analysis of which should yield valuable clues to subsistence. Since there has never been a study of this nature attempted on Indian remains in Florida, a qualitative trace element analysis, using an optical emission spectrograph, was made of bone samples from indigenous populations representing both inland and coastal environments in this region. Results of this study showed that magnesium was present in all samples, copper was present in nearly half the samples, and manganese and zinc were not detected. Thus, although the diets of these groups may have varied, the trace element content did not reflect significant differences as have been reported for other types of analyses on Indian populations from diverse geographic regions.

Bone and Bones↗
PubMed1989

A probable case of prehistoric kidney stone disease from the northern Cape Province, South Africa.

During the excavation of isolated graves along the north shore of the Orange River in the Cape Province of South Africa, a skeleton was uncovered that showed two large calcareous deposits near the lumbar region of the vertebral column. The individual was an adult female of about 55 years of age at the time of death. The calcified residue did not in any way resemble the external or internal anatomical form of a kidney, but X-ray powder diffraction analysis and scanning electron microscopy identified the material as apatite (Ca10(PO4)6 (OH)2), a common constituent of human urinary calculi. It is postulated that the bilateral calcification was the result of a chronic renal disorder. Although it is rarely possible to identify the cause of death from skeletal remains alone, the disorder as seen in this specimen would appear to have been very severe and may well have been the ultimate cause of death.

Apatites↗
PubMed1989

Cranial injuries as evidence of violence in prehistoric southern California.

Crania from the Channel Island area of southern California were examined for evidence of traumatic injuries. Well-healed depressed fractures in the outer table of the cranial vault are common in skeletal remains from the northern Channel Islands (18.56% n = 598) but rare in those from the mainland coast (7.5% n = 146). This prevalence of traumatic injuries among the islanders may be a result of intense competition over resources in a geographically circumscribed environment. The frequency of cranial injuries increases significantly between the early and late prehistoric periods on the Channel Islands. This temporal variation appears to reflect changes in patterns of violence associated with population growth and environmental instability.

Age Factors↗
PubMed1989

Severe neural tube defect syndrome from the Early Archaic of Florida.

The Early Archaic Windover site is on the east coast of mid-peninsular Florida. A subadult skeleton (about 15 years old at time of death) was recovered with multiple pathologies related to spina bifida aperta of the neural arch at the L3-S2 level of the spine. Other evidence indicates s.b. cystica, although the degree of severity of the dysraphic neural tube syndrome cannot be directly determined. In addition to spina bifida, the lumbar region is scoliotic from malformation of zygapophyses. The defect is accompanied by severe infection of the right tibia and fibula, and disuse atrophy of long bones. It is hypothesized the NTD (neural tube defect) led to progressive sensory deprivation, which in turn led to increased loss of mobility, ulceration, and risk of serious infections. Other "minor" anomalies such as cone-shaped epiphyses, enlarged nutrient foramina, and vental vertebral cavitation are also discussed. The chronic nature of these defects provide insight on the high level of long-term care and attention provided a severely handicapped individual 7,500 years ago.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

Prehistoric eye disease (trachoma?) in Australian aborigines.

This paper discusses an as yet undescribed lesion of the orbit in Australian Aboriginal skeletal populations. The rather high frequency and geographical distribution of the lesion suggests an association with a common, chronic eye infection. Using differential diagnosis to eliminate a variety of ophthalmic conditions, it is proposed that chronic trachoma may be a possible causative agent. Distribution of the lesion follows that of trachoma among contemporary Aboriginal people, with the highest frequencies occurring in the hotter, arid portions of the Australian continent. It is positively correlated with age, with higher frequencies in older people; it is almost completely absent among sub-adults. The antiquity of the lesion is demonstrated by its appearance among late Pleistocene human remains.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Archaeoparasitology in North America.

The study of prehistoric parasitism through analysis of coprolites, mummies, skeletons, and latrine soils is rapidly growing. Its development in North America is interdisciplinary and is derived from the fields of physical anthropology, parasitology, and archaeology. The various parasite finds from North America are reviewed. The data show that prehistoric peoples in North America suffered from a variety of parasitic diseases. The validity of the findings are then considered. Although most finds of parasites from prehistoric contexts result from human infections, some finds cannot be verified as such. However, in combination with data from South America, it is clear that prehistoric peoples in the Americas were host to a variety of human parasites, some of which were not previously thought to be present before historic times.

History, Ancient↗
PubMed1990

Cranial thickening in an Australian hominid as a possible palaeoepidemiological indicator.

This paper describes the cranial thickening of a late Pleistocene hominid (Willandra Lakes Hominid 50) from Australia. The unusual development of the vault structures in this individual has few, if any, equals among other hominids or more recent populations from around the world. The vault morphology is, therefore, described in terms of a pathologically related condition associated with the modern haemolytic blood dyscrasias, typical of sickle cell anamia and thalassemia. A possible palaeoepidemiology for these genetic adaptations among early Australasian populations is proposed together with a discussion of similar changes observed in the vault of the Singa calvarium from the Sudan. It is tentatively suggested that the cranial thickening of the Australian hominid has its origins in some form of genetic blood disease and that if this diagnosis is correct, this individual provides a rare glimpse of human biological adaptation in the late Upper Pleistocene.

Animals↗