Human Skeletal Remains Flashcards
1
Q
What is the biocultural approach?
A
- Skeletal evidence is the result of interaction between the individual and their socio-cultural environment
- An integration between biological anthropology and social/cultural anthropology
2
Q
Anders Retzius (1976-1860)
A
- Swedish anatomist and craniologist
- Argued the skull shape reflected the development of the brain
- “as one can assume…each race or tribe has their own physiological characteristic…expressed in the development of the brain” (1847)
3
Q
6 principle classes of nutrients
A
- Modern humans need to obtain up to 50 different nutrients from their diet
- 6 classes: carbs, fat, protein (the 3 macronutrients), minerals, vitamins, water
4
Q
In what conditions are stomach contents present in graves? give an example
A
- Only identifiable as stomach contents rather than grave offerings if soft tissues are preserved
- Therefore, best in bog bodies and mummies
- E.g. Tollund Man: limp seed, barley, hemp nettle (criminal? prisoner?)
5
Q
Analyitcal techniques for stomach contents
A
- Macroscopic or microscoopic examination
- DNA sequencing: less identifiable the further down the digestive tract
- Can indicate short term diet: 2-3 days before death
- May not be a typical meal, may be related to individual’s closenes to death
6
Q
Link between pathologies and specific nutritional factors
A
- Consequences of nutritional deficits mimic effects of infection
- Under-nutrition increases susceptibility to infection
7
Q
Conditions linked to specific nutritional defects, 3 examples
A
- Scurvy caused by vitamin C deficit
- Manifested in abnormal bone porosity associated with new bone growth
- Rickets caused by vitamin D deficit
- Manifests in thin, porous bone with large marrow cavities & bowing of long bones
- Iron deficieny anaemia
- Manifests in the skull
7
Q
When did scurvy and rickets become freuqent?
A
- Neither are frequent prior to Medieval period
- Pale as sign of status, children working indoors in factories: both socio-economic groups effected
8
Q
Nutrition and stature, example of Lower Illinois Valley, USA
A
- Woodland to Messapian transition
- Comparison of femoral length in hunter-gatherers, early agriculturalists, and intensive agriculturalists
- Femur length shortest amon early agriculturalists
- Move to agriculture was damaging for their health
8
Q
Otzi’s teeth
A
- Worn to the crown at 45 years old
- In many past groups consuming traditional foods, rapid dental attrition is evident
- Grainy, gritty bread
- Cereals processed in stone querns, contained grit
8
Q
Anaemia: Heme and non-heme iron
A
- Iron is an essential mineral involved in oxygen transportation in the blood
- Heme iron is most easily incorporated into the blood and is available from animal sources
- Absorption of heme iron is inhibited by consumptiom of plant proteins and phytates
- Non-heme iron is available from plants but not as well absorbed
- Most commonplace after transition to farming
8
Q
Cereal based diets, examples of lesions
A
- Cribra Orbitalia: body lesions on the orbital roof
- Porotic hypertosis: spongy and porous bone
- Lesions of this type are relatively rare prior to agriculture
8
Q
Diet and Dentition, aging
A
- Comparing skeletal age with dental age in children can indicate nutritional inadequacies
- Development of teeth under more genetic control than the skeleton: during times of stress, the body focuses on keeping the teeth growing rather than the skeleton
- Age of an individual can be told by teeth better than their skeleton
8
Q
Diet and Dentition: Hypoplasia
A
- Defects in enamel of teeth
- Cessation of enamel production resulting in circumferential lines
- Developmental age of dentition well understood
- Timing of hypoplasia can be accurately determined
- Most frequent between 2-4 years in agricultural populations
- Weaning strress, going from breastmilk to less nutritional foods
- Can result from infection
8
Q
Diet and dental caries: HG vs AG
A
- Occurence of caries normally associated with high carbohydrate rich diet, e.g. agriculture
- Hunter Gatherers: Average caries is 1.7% of teeth
- Agriculturalists: 8.6% of teeth
- Honey, sugary substances, sweet acorns
8
Q
Diet and dental calculus info
A
- Occurence of dental calculus normally associated with diets high in protein
- Inclusions in calculus indicate dietary components
- Macroscopic analysis of plant remains, DNA/protein analysis
