The purpose of this research is to analyze intentional cranial modification at the site of Túcume located in Peru. Intentional cranial modification is the permanent alteration of the infant cranium through the use of apparatuses that will alter the shape of the skull resulting in lifelong implications. This analysis serves to answer three research questions through testing the hypotheses in regards to the variation among individuals, the sex-based differences in the population, and how cranial modification patterns differentiate normal burials from sacrificed individuals at Túcume. The data include a total of 480 individuals with 375 crania observable. It was found that 26% of individuals with crania were modified. A sex-based pattern was identified since 47% of females were modified while only 18% of males were modified. There were 99 sacrificed individuals with only 6% of them being also modified. The data indicates that there was not a statistically significant difference in the modifications between the sacrificed and non-sacrificed individuals. There is also not enough evidence to indicate that the sacrificed individuals were from other locations. The individuals that were sacrificed were most likely from Túcume. In regards to classification type, it was found that fronto-occipital vault modification was the most prevalent at 56% regardless of sex or age. Fronto-occipital and lambdoidal modifications were more frequently performed on females while occipital was more frequent among males. From the data, this indicates that this was not a common practice at Túcume. There was enough variation in the types of modification that suggests it was not a universal practice. The practice of head shaping in past societies is an important aspect because it holds social implications. It is clear that this thesis provides important insight into Túcume’s past and contains important information in regards to sex-based patterns of head shaping as a marker of group identity.

In modern populations, adolescence is recognized as a pivotal part of the life course, but bioarchaeologists have not yet widely considered the experiences of adolescents in the past. This research investigates the biological and social changes during Roman adulescentia for individuals buried at Isola Sacra (1st-4th centuries CE; Italy) and Lisieux-Michelet (4-5th centuries CE; France). To investigate biological changes, this thesis identifies osteological indicators of pubertal timing and peptide analysis to assess biological sex for pre-pubertal individuals (n=264). Results demonstrate that adulescentia experienced an extended period of puberty, from nine to 20 years of age; menarche occurred around 15 years of age. Comparisons between the two archaeological sites demonstrate similar patterns of pubertal timing, suggesting similar exposure to Early Life Stress. To investigate the social changes, this research uses stable isotope analysis of incremental dentine sections in teeth, to investigate dietary change between childhood, adolescence, and adulthood. Incorporating literary sources, observed changes in diet are contextualized in relation to expected social age changes for middle-class individuals within the Roman Empire. At both sites, females exhibit a gradual dietary transition, reflecting a gradual social age change, or that diet is not an appropriate proxy for social age changes for women. For males, changing dietary patterns correspond with the beginning of adulescentia, when these young men took on new roles within their communities and underwent pubertal development. This research demonstrates that adulescentia was an extended period of biological and social change for males and females, which took on different forms depending on one’s sex/gender and social position. This research also demonstrates how investigations of adolescence can permit a more holistic interpretation of this transitional period of the life course and exposes the transitional experiences of these individuals as they come of age in the Roman Empire. / Dissertation / Candidate in Philosophy / There are kids, and there are adults, but what about those in-between? When does one become the other? These are the questions driving this doctoral research, and in applying them to the Roman Empire, I examine patterns of puberty and changes in diet, to better understand when children started to look like and eat like adults in their communities. This research demonstrates that adulescentia (i.e., adolescence) was a period of extended biological development, with puberty occurring between 9 and 20 years of age. Changes in diet, however, occurred in different ways for males and females, and across space and time within the Roman Empire, suggesting that there was not a singular experience or definition of adulescentia, but that lived experiences were more variable and nuanced than ancient literary sources suggest.

Pellagra, a nutritional disease with no known diagnostic skeletal indicators, affected patients in the Mississippi State Insane Asylum (MSA) between 1909 and 1936. The current study employed a sample of the MSA’s death-by-discharge records (N=3445) and a skeletal sample (N=19) from the MSA cemetery to test whether co-occurring alveolar bone loss and reduced bone remodeling in the skeletons can be associated with pellagra mortality in the records. Results of the study were inconclusive as to whether the co-occurring markers are associated with pellagra, but suggest that poor dietary conditions within the MSA, conditions prior to institutionalization, and age, sex, and duration in the asylum affected patients’ pellagra mortality outcomes. Future studies should employ larger skeletal samples to better understand pellagra’s effect on the skeleton. This study and the results of future studies may aid in relief efforts for refugee populations, who are at a heightened risk of developing pellagra.

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No description available.

No description available.

A análise de microfósseis vegetais é extremamente útil para a recuperação de informações acerca da utilização de plantas por grupo humanos do passado, especialmente em sítios arqueológicos em que os macro-restos botânicos são raros, como é o caso dos sambaquis. Estes micro-restos podem ser obtidos a partir de sedimento, coprólitos, utensílios de pedra ou cerâmica, assim como de cálculo dentário (tártaro). Durante a mastigação e a utilização dos dentes como ferramentas, micro partículas provenientes do alimento ou da matéria prima utilizada, como grãos de amido, fitólitos, fibras, ficam retidas na matriz do cálculo, podendo ali permanecer protegidas por milhares de anos. O tratamento químico do cálculo permite a recuperação destes microfósseis, que, uma vez quantificados e identificados, fornecem dados valiosos para a reconstrução de hábitos e dieta. Entretanto, existem sítios em que, além da má preservação dos macro-restos vegetais, restam apenas escassas marcas de cálculo dentário aderidos aos dentes, impedindo a obtenção de fragmentos de cálculo e conseqüentemente a recuperação dos microfósseis. A utilização de recursos vegetais pelos grupos construtores de sambaquis constitui uma área do conhecimento ainda pouco explorada. Dentre os sambaquieiros há aqueles com depósitos fartos de cálculo dentário, como é o caso em Jabuticabeira II (SC), mas também há aqueles que apresentam somente reduzidos depósitos de cálculo, como é o caso em Moraes (SP). Assim, os objetivos deste trabalho foram: processar e analisar quantitativamente o conteúdo do cálculo dentário de indivíduos de Jabuticabeira II; desenvolver e testar um método alternativo que permitisse a recuperação de microfósseis a partir de marcas de cálculo dentário (.dental wash.); aplicar este método alternativo nos indivíduos de Moraes e comparar os resultados obtidos entre os dois sítios. Através dos resultados obtidos concluiu-se que: - O método .dental wash. é eficiente para a recuperação de micro partículas a partir de marcas exíguas de cálculo dentário, e seus resultados são comparáveis àqueles obtidos através da técnica tradicional. Contudo, o .dental wash. pode tornar os dentes mais friáveis, prejudicando análises morfológicas e de microdesgaste. - Foram observados grãos de amido em praticamente todas as amostras de Jabuticabeira II e Moraes, enquanto fitólitos somente foram encontrados em poucas delas. Isso indica um importante aporte de alimento amiláceo em ambos os sítios, enquanto que apenas 134 alguns indivíduos consumiam uma dieta mais diversificada, constituída em parte de vegetais ricos em fitólitos. - Grãos de amido modificados (em ambos os sítios) e fragmentos escuros de origem vegetal (somente em Jabuticabeira II) indicam o preparo de alimentos através de cocção, maceração, abrasão. - A concentração média dos grãos de amido significativamente maior nas amostras de Moraes em comparação com Jabuticabeira II sugere que o aporte amiláceo tivesse sido maior em Moraes, o que é confirmado indiretamente através da maior freqüência de cáries. -Não parece ter havido distinção no aporte vegetal da dieta entre os sexos, já que não houve diferença das concentrações de amido e fitólitos entre homens e mulheres de Jabuticabeira II e Moraes. / The analysis of vegetal microfossils is paramount for the recovery of informations about plant use in past human groups, especially in archaeological contexts where macro remains are poorly preserved (as in shellmounds or sambaquis). Micro remains can be recovered from sediments, coprolites, stone artefacts, pottery, as well as from dental calculus. During the mastication and the use of the teeth as tools, micro particles like starch grains, phytoliths and fibers, become trapped in the dental calculus matrix. Chemical processing of dental calculus permits the extraction of microfossils. Quantification and identification allows reconstruction of habits and diet of past human groups. However, there are sites in which the calculus deposits do not preserve well enough to be processed using the traditional method. The plant use by Brazilian shellmound groups is still an underexplored matter. Among these there are groups like Jabuticabeira II (SC) with large deposits of dental calculus, where the traditional method can be applied, as well as others with just faint dental calculus marks, like Moraes (SP). Therefore, the aims of this work are to: process and analyse dental calculus contents from Jabuticabeira II individuals; develop and test a new method for the recovery of microfossils form cryptic dental calculus marks (dental wash); apply the dental wash in Moraes teeth; and, finally, to compare the results between both sites. The data obtained permit the following conclusions: -The dental wash technique is efficient for the recovery of microfossils from faint dental calculus marks and the results are comparable to those obtained by the traditional method. However, dental wash can preclude morphological and microwear analyses. - Starch grains were observed in almost all samples from both sites but the phytoliths were obtained only from few of them. This indicates that the vegetal diet in these sites was based mainly in storage organs of plants where only few individuals had a more diverse food intake, consuming also vegetal parts rich in phytoliths. - Modified starch grains found in both sites and dark plant fragments (charcoal) found only in Jabuticabeira II suggest food preparation. - The significant higher concentrations of starch grains in Moraes than in Jabuticabeira II, suggests that the intake of carbohydrate rich food was higher in Moraes. Indeed, this is corroborated by a much higher caries rates in the latter site. 136 -The absence of differences of starch and phytolith concentrations between men and women suggest that there was no distinction in the plant food consumed between the sexes.

A análise de microfósseis vegetais é extremamente útil para a recuperação de informações acerca da utilização de plantas por grupo humanos do passado, especialmente em sítios arqueológicos em que os macro-restos botânicos são raros, como é o caso dos sambaquis. Estes micro-restos podem ser obtidos a partir de sedimento, coprólitos, utensílios de pedra ou cerâmica, assim como de cálculo dentário (tártaro). Durante a mastigação e a utilização dos dentes como ferramentas, micro partículas provenientes do alimento ou da matéria prima utilizada, como grãos de amido, fitólitos, fibras, ficam retidas na matriz do cálculo, podendo ali permanecer protegidas por milhares de anos. O tratamento químico do cálculo permite a recuperação destes microfósseis, que, uma vez quantificados e identificados, fornecem dados valiosos para a reconstrução de hábitos e dieta. Entretanto, existem sítios em que, além da má preservação dos macro-restos vegetais, restam apenas escassas marcas de cálculo dentário aderidos aos dentes, impedindo a obtenção de fragmentos de cálculo e conseqüentemente a recuperação dos microfósseis. A utilização de recursos vegetais pelos grupos construtores de sambaquis constitui uma área do conhecimento ainda pouco explorada. Dentre os sambaquieiros há aqueles com depósitos fartos de cálculo dentário, como é o caso em Jabuticabeira II (SC), mas também há aqueles que apresentam somente reduzidos depósitos de cálculo, como é o caso em Moraes (SP). Assim, os objetivos deste trabalho foram: processar e analisar quantitativamente o conteúdo do cálculo dentário de indivíduos de Jabuticabeira II; desenvolver e testar um método alternativo que permitisse a recuperação de microfósseis a partir de marcas de cálculo dentário (.dental wash.); aplicar este método alternativo nos indivíduos de Moraes e comparar os resultados obtidos entre os dois sítios. Através dos resultados obtidos concluiu-se que: - O método .dental wash. é eficiente para a recuperação de micro partículas a partir de marcas exíguas de cálculo dentário, e seus resultados são comparáveis àqueles obtidos através da técnica tradicional. Contudo, o .dental wash. pode tornar os dentes mais friáveis, prejudicando análises morfológicas e de microdesgaste. - Foram observados grãos de amido em praticamente todas as amostras de Jabuticabeira II e Moraes, enquanto fitólitos somente foram encontrados em poucas delas. Isso indica um importante aporte de alimento amiláceo em ambos os sítios, enquanto que apenas 134 alguns indivíduos consumiam uma dieta mais diversificada, constituída em parte de vegetais ricos em fitólitos. - Grãos de amido modificados (em ambos os sítios) e fragmentos escuros de origem vegetal (somente em Jabuticabeira II) indicam o preparo de alimentos através de cocção, maceração, abrasão. - A concentração média dos grãos de amido significativamente maior nas amostras de Moraes em comparação com Jabuticabeira II sugere que o aporte amiláceo tivesse sido maior em Moraes, o que é confirmado indiretamente através da maior freqüência de cáries. -Não parece ter havido distinção no aporte vegetal da dieta entre os sexos, já que não houve diferença das concentrações de amido e fitólitos entre homens e mulheres de Jabuticabeira II e Moraes. / The analysis of vegetal microfossils is paramount for the recovery of informations about plant use in past human groups, especially in archaeological contexts where macro remains are poorly preserved (as in shellmounds or sambaquis). Micro remains can be recovered from sediments, coprolites, stone artefacts, pottery, as well as from dental calculus. During the mastication and the use of the teeth as tools, micro particles like starch grains, phytoliths and fibers, become trapped in the dental calculus matrix. Chemical processing of dental calculus permits the extraction of microfossils. Quantification and identification allows reconstruction of habits and diet of past human groups. However, there are sites in which the calculus deposits do not preserve well enough to be processed using the traditional method. The plant use by Brazilian shellmound groups is still an underexplored matter. Among these there are groups like Jabuticabeira II (SC) with large deposits of dental calculus, where the traditional method can be applied, as well as others with just faint dental calculus marks, like Moraes (SP). Therefore, the aims of this work are to: process and analyse dental calculus contents from Jabuticabeira II individuals; develop and test a new method for the recovery of microfossils form cryptic dental calculus marks (dental wash); apply the dental wash in Moraes teeth; and, finally, to compare the results between both sites. The data obtained permit the following conclusions: -The dental wash technique is efficient for the recovery of microfossils from faint dental calculus marks and the results are comparable to those obtained by the traditional method. However, dental wash can preclude morphological and microwear analyses. - Starch grains were observed in almost all samples from both sites but the phytoliths were obtained only from few of them. This indicates that the vegetal diet in these sites was based mainly in storage organs of plants where only few individuals had a more diverse food intake, consuming also vegetal parts rich in phytoliths. - Modified starch grains found in both sites and dark plant fragments (charcoal) found only in Jabuticabeira II suggest food preparation. - The significant higher concentrations of starch grains in Moraes than in Jabuticabeira II, suggests that the intake of carbohydrate rich food was higher in Moraes. Indeed, this is corroborated by a much higher caries rates in the latter site. 136 -The absence of differences of starch and phytolith concentrations between men and women suggest that there was no distinction in the plant food consumed between the sexes.

This study applies a life history approach to analyzing the identities of 52 Maya individuals who lived between 2000 BC and AD 900 in and around the city of Holmul, within the Petén region of Guatemala. Primary goals were to: (1) identify migrant and local individuals within the urban population; (2) determine 87Sr/86Sr isotope ratio signatures for the sites of Holmul, Cival, La Sufricaya, K’o, and Hamontun; (3) compile osteobiographies, personal life histories revealed through skeletal remains, of the individuals in the sample; and (4) evaluate evidence bearing on the identities of inhabitants of the Holmul region and how they were represented within economic, political, and cultural landscapes of the ancient Maya. This work demonstrates how bioarchaeologists can implement osteobiographical analyses to advance the understanding of multifaceted social identities and individual experiences of life and death. By integrating osteological study, stable isotope analysis, and consideration of mortuary context, material culture, inscriptions, and monumental architecture, the individual, rather than the population, becomes the focus. This aggregate approach allows for an in-depth consideration of human remains as former social beings with complex identities. The findings of this research suggest that most elite inhabitants in this ancient Maya city were local to the Holmul region, with the few outliers having originated from elsewhere in the Maya lowlands. This conclusion aligns with Maya elite ideologies of establishing lineages and reinforcing power through ancestor veneration. The local 87Sr/86Sr ratio signature of the Holmul region is comparable to other archaeological sites in the southern Maya lowlands. The osteobiographies reveal life histories, which personalize prior interpretations that considered the population only as an aggregate. This project also elucidates identities of sacrificed children, elite/royal women, and the local Holmul elite. Results of the study support the use of the isotopic analysis of human remains as an essential tool for approaching complex archaeological questions and evaluating hypotheses previously addressed primarily using architectural, iconographic, and artifactual evidence. Further, this study demonstrates the benefit of the isotopic analysis of dental enamel, especially in the Maya region and other environments characterized by difficult excavation conditions and the poor preservation of human remains.

This research examines the health of those living within the lowland, east coast region of Scotland from 500-1500 AD utilizing historical, archaeological, and skeletal material. Although the study area was a central part of medieval Scotland, it has not been the focus of any larger scale research into health, including any previous statistical analyses. This study presents the osteological analysis of skeletal remains of four medieval populations (385 individuals) from eastern, lowland Scotland: Ballumbie (N=197 individuals), Isle of May (N=58), St Andrews Library (N=72), and Whitefriars (N=58). Additionally, this research provides a contextualized discussion of the similarities and differences in health of these four lowland populations, focusing on the broad themes of location (rural/urban) and status (high/low). The four study populations are compared statistically through prevalence rates of disease. A compilation of disease prevalence rates for twenty-three other medieval Scottish populations was created to provide further contextualized comparisons of health. The discussion of health from the perspectives of location is framed within the context of access to health care, population density/pathogen load, diet, and sub-adult mortality. Discussions of status focus on differences in housing and diet between the upper and lower status individuals living in medieval society. The role of pilgrimage is explored for the Isle of May with respect to health, illness, and the treatment of the sick. The analysis of four medieval populations in the lowland, east coast region of Scotland illustrate that although they were close geographically, each population had unique aspects to their skeletal health due to differences in their location and status.