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No description available.

No / This study presents the results of an isotopic analysis of nine naturally mummified individuals—three adults, two adolescents, one juvenile, and three infants—recovered from the Hets Mountain Cave site in southern Mongolia, where they had been secondarily deposited. All of the individuals show evidence of violent perimortem trauma, but no skeletal indicators of nutritional or disease-related stress. Multi-isotopic data (δ13C, δ15N, δ18O, 87Sr/86Sr, and 20nPb/204Pb) were characterized in multiple tissues from each individual when possible, in order to reconstruct diet composition and residential origin at different points in life. Specifically, δ13C and δ15N in bone carbonate and collagen (N = 8) and hair keratin (N = 4) were coupled with enamel carbonate δ18O and δ13C (N = 3) and enamel 87Sr/86Sr, and 20nPb/204Pb (N = 3) to assess diet and residential mobility in relation to skeletal indicators of health and trauma. Results are consistent with a persistence of mixed C3/C4 pastoral subsistence and general stability of diet composition over the life course, in contrast to contemporary accounts of widespread famine and a dependence on grains imported from China throughout the region. However, results also suggest that at least some individuals may have migrated to this region of southern Mongolia from elsewhere during life, meaning that their dietary isotopic profiles may not represent local subsistence patterns near the Hets Mountain Cave site. Overall, these results speak to the utility of life course oriented multi-isotopic analysis in complementing more top-down historical analyses in understanding variation in subsistence, nutrition, and migration in regions undergoing significant political and economic turmoil.

Yes / Objectives: In this brief communication we discuss issues concerning scientific rigour in palaeopathological publications, particularly studies published in clinical or general science journals, that employ skeletal analysis to elucidate the lives and deaths of historical figures or interpret “mysterious” assemblages or burials. We highlight the relationship between poor methodological rigour and lack of interdisciplinary communication, and discuss how this can result in scientifically weak, sensational narratives being presented to the public. Conclusions: Although most high profile publications involving analysis of archaeological human remains are methodologically sound and well interpreted, others have suffered from poor scientific rigour stemming from an apparent lack of awareness of anthropological methods and ethics. When these publications are highlighted by the press, sensationalistic narratives are perpetuated which may reflect poorly on our discipline and give the public unrealistic expectations about our work. Suggestions for future research: We suggest that best practice in high-profile paleopathological research include recruitment of a range of authors and reviewers from clinical sciences, anthropology, and the humanities, consideration of the ethical issues surrounding retrospective diagnosis, and transparency with the press in regards to the limitations inherent in this kind of work.

The end of the Bronze Age was a tumultuous period throughout the Mediterranean, seeing the fall of the major palatial economy in Greece. This project seeks to reconstruct the lived experiences of individuals interred at the Nikoleika cemetery in eastern Achaea, utilizing a variety of methods to analyze biological profiles and pathological conditions. Through the analysis of the 55 burials of Chamber Tomb Four, it was found that low levels of pathology and the presence of locally-produced goods may emphasize the self-sufficient nature of Achaea during the Bronze Age. The osteobiographies of three primary burials also revealed a great deal of similarities that provide evidence of deliberate acts taken during mortuary processing. This project found that eastern Achaea was relatively autonomous and continued unaffected by the palatial collapse.

Using skeletal and material remains respectively, archaeologists and physical anthropologists attempt to reconstruct the lives of past peoples. The combination of these two types of evidence within one discipline is referred to as bioarcheology. Bioarcheology includes studies in palaeodemography and palaeopathology, as well as exploring theories of mortuary behavior, lifestyle and activity, violence and interpersonal activity, and technology. This thesis contains a brief history of bioarcheology, followed by how it can be used worldwide to explore what we can discover about past populations and their culture by studying their skeletal and archaeological remains, specifically through palaeopathology. Topics covered include acquired skeletal pathologies, congenital diseases, infectious diseases, dental diseases, metabolic and endocrine diseases, and nutrition. The thesis also includes analysis of case studies conducted using a bioarcheological approach and specifically addresses why it is important for archaeologists and physical anthropologists to work together and unite bioarcheology. The ultimate objective of this thesis is to demonstrate that bioarcheology can assist in filling a void between physical anthropology and archaeology.

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.