No / This study compares associations between demographic profiles, long bone lengths, bone mineral content, and frequencies of stress indicators in the preadult populations of two medieval skeletal assemblages from Denmark. One is from a leprosarium, and thus probably represents a disadvantaged group (Næstved). The other comes from a normal, and in comparison rather privileged, medieval community (Æbelholt). Previous studies of the adult population indicated differences between the two skeletal collections with regard to mortality, dental size, and metabolic and specific infectious disease. The two samples were analyzed against the view known as the osteological paradox (Wood et al. [1992] Curr. Anthropol. 33:343-370), according to which skeletons displaying pathological modification are likely to represent the healthier individuals of a population, whereas those without lesions would have died without acquiring modifications as a result of a depressed immune response. Results reveal that older age groups among the preadults from Næstved are shorter and have less bone mineral content than their peers from Æbelholt. On average, the Næstved children have a higher prevalence of stress indicators, and in some cases display skeletal signs of leprosy. This is likely a result of the combination of compromised health and social disadvantage, thus supporting a more traditional interpretation. The study provides insights into the health of children from two different biocultural settings of medieval Danish society and illustrates the importance of comparing samples of single age groups.

The study of social withdrawal continues to grow among younger samples, including childhood, adolescence, and emerging adulthood. Little research has addressed socially withdrawn older adults, despite the various losses, declines, and changes experienced by those in later life and their known benefits resulting from social interactions. Shy, avoidant, or unsocial individuals at younger ages may withdraw and possibly miss out on important opportunities; as a result, when they are grown, these same socially withdrawn individuals may experience greater regret and lower fulfillment in later life. Further, socially withdrawn older adults residing in long-term care (LTC) facilities may have more time to reminisce of past regret or fulfillment. Data was collected from 45 older participants (Mage = 83.07) residing in a long-term care facility on O'ahu. The current study used Bayesian linear regression models to examine ways that three subtypes of withdrawal (shyness, avoidance, and unsociability) may relate to regret and fulfillment in later life; with an exploratory qualitative portion assessing withdrawn participant's biggest regrets and accomplishments. Results indicated that higher levels of shyness significantly predicted higher levels of regret, while higher levels of unsociability were related to higher levels of fulfillment. The findings may help us to understand the role of ability to choose in the lives of socially withdrawn individuals, as shy individuals who may withdraw because of fear could be missing out on desired life experiences, while unsocial individuals appear able to participate in their desired activities.

Hillforts have dominated interpretations of later prehistoric society, but these have been based on an uncritical acceptance of their military or symbolic role and a ‘big is best’ mentality. Using the exceptional archive from Broxmouth hillfort in East Lothian, the research presented in this thesis had the unique opportunity to examine the boundaries of that site in detail. Drawing on ideas that sites should not just be seen in their final form, episodes of enclosure creation, maintenance and abandonment are examined. Constructing a biography of Broxmouth has highlighted the relative infrequency of these creation events and how social relationships were intimately tied to the enclosure boundaries. These events are not isolated and investigating the contemporary landscape has shown that the coastal plain would have been densely settled, yet the bleak hills of the Lammermuirs appear to have been avoided. Mapping old routeways and pit alignments shows that this landscape may have been a draw for the practice of transhumance, primarily for sheep and cattle as demonstrated in the Broxmouth evidence. Combining GIS analyses with more experiential approaches, shows how some sites took advantage of the topographical surroundings and were instrumental in the practice of transhumance. Creation events at other sites also appear to be infrequent and examining further excavated sites in East Lothian has allowed the formation of a broad chronology of changing enclosure patterns. Contextualising Broxmouth has documented changes in how people interacted with their landscape, how social relationships were enacted and how these changed from the late Bronze Age, through to the Roman Iron Age. / Collaborative Doctoral Award from the Arts and Humanities Research Council; supplemented by Historic Scotland who was the primary funder of the Broxmouth Project; supplemented by Historic Scotland who was the primary funder of the Broxmouth Project.

No / Cultural encounters form a dominant theme in the study of Iron Age Europe. This was particularly acute in regions where urbanising Mediterranean civilisations came into contact with ‘barbarian’ worlds. This volume presents preliminary work from the ENTRANS Project, which explores the nature and impact of such encounters in south-east Europe, alongside a series of papers on analogous European regions. A range of theoretical perspectives and methodological approaches are offered in an effort to promote dialogue around these central issues in European protohistory.

<p> The purpose of this thesis was to explore why and how seniors used complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) as well as the meanings they attached to their use of unconventional therapies. To this end, I conducted in-depth, individual interviews with 43 older adults-15 men and 28 women. Based on these data, I found that while all participants recognized the importance of conventional healthcare and continued to use its services, a number of people distrusted and were dissatisfied with medical doctors and treatments as well. Though these negative feelings were not sufficient to push seniors towards CAM, they certainly played a role in their decision making. What informants particularly valued about unconventional approaches was that they allowed them to assert greater control over their health and, to some extent, their aging process. As a result, they viewed CAM as being an integral part of their aging lifestyles and actively incorporated these therapies into their treatment regimens. These findings overall contribute to the relatively scant, albeit growing, body of research on CAM use in later life, seniors' management of regimens, and older patients' dissatisfaction with and distrust of conventional medicine. Theoretically, the findings of this work demonstrate the importance of meaning in later life and specifically, how meanings attached to conventional and unconventional care can influence older adults' health-related perceptions and practices.</p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

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This thesis examines the processes by which the self-concept is shaped by chronic illness in later life. This study contributes to our understanding of the development of the self in later life by examining patterns of continuity and change. Twenty-four women diagnosed with osteoarthritis (0A) were interviewed. The participants were community dwelling females, aged between 67 to 85 years. They were selected to reflect a range of OA, from mild to severe forms of the disease. A qualitative approach, more specifically, the grounded theory method was adopted for this study. The findings illustrate that OA in later life presents a source of change for the self concept. However, the influence of these processes of change vary considerably. In particular, the significance of change for the self-concept is shaped by the individual's perception of the impact of chronic illness for the self. These are shaped by several factors. The impact of OA on the self is influenced by the ways in which the person's multiple identities are affected. And, the person's perception of continuity and change for her "overall" or global sense of self must be considered. Finally, the type of process mechanisms that are drawn upon shape the person's perception of continuity and change. Such processes include: shifting and non-shifting prominence hierarchies, the ability to adjust and accommodate to one's limitations and the extent to which interactions and valued identities are modified, social comparison, reflected appraisal, and the dialogue between the past, the present, and the future self. The data show that older people do reflect some of the same issues that have previously been revealed by studies of chronic illness which do not focus on later life. However, experiences of chronic illness in later life also present unique variations. / Thesis / Master of Arts (MA)

No / The agricultural ¿revolution¿ in Iron Age Orkney is the subject of Julie Bond¿s paper. Focusing on Pool in Sanday, she outlines the perceived changes in animal husbandry and cultivation over the lifetime of the settlement ¿ changes she describes as ¿innovations and intensification in the agricultural economy of Orkney before the arrival of the Vikings.¿ The apparent success of these Iron Age farming settlements may well be, she adds, the reason they may have been early targets for Scandinavian settlers.