Postcranial non-metric skeletal traits are documented in two Cis-Baikal populations: the Kitoi, dating to the Early Neolithic (8000-7000/6800 BP), and the Isakovo/Serovo/Glazkovo (ISG) cultural complex, dating to the Late Neolithic (Isakavo/Serovo: 6000/5800-5200 BP) and Early Bronze Age (Glazkovo: 5200/5000-4000 BP). A major cultural discontinuity is thought to have occurred in the Middle Neolithic (7000/6800-6000/5800 BP). Current and previous research suggests that the Early Neolithic Kitoi were bioculturally distinct from the Late Neolithic-Bronze Age ISG cultural complex. Population, side, sex, and age differences in the expression of non-metric traits were explored as indicators of differing activity patterns and divisions of labour between and within the Kitoi and ISG samples, as well as two Kitoi cemeteries: Shamanka II and Lokomotiv. Results of analyses indicate that the Kitoi, particularly males, were taking part in locomotion over steep terrain while carrying heavy loads, probably related to hunting trips. The ISG do not show evidence of these types of activities, suggesting a population difference in the frequency and degree of physically strenuous activity. Kitoi and Shamanka II males and young adult individuals show evidence of having performed the majority of the strenuous lifting and carrying, as well as evidence of increased mobility relative to females. These results indicative of strong divisions of labour in the Kitoi population. Patterns in trait frequencies were also examined for indications of how multiple underlying factors may be interacting. Trait distribution throughout the body provides evidence of the dominance of biomechanical stress as a causative factor in the expression of postcranial non-metric traits. Other factors that become visible when the influence of biomechanical stress is lower include genotype, trauma, and cartilage degeneration. The results of this project are consistent with current theories on the adaptive regimes of the Kitoi and ISG populations and strongly support previous work by BAP researchers in the areas of skeletal robusticity, osteoarthritis, and musculoskeletal stress markers. The research also helps to broaden the knowledge base about the etiologies of the non-metric traits involved.

Postcranial non-metric skeletal traits are documented in two Cis-Baikal populations: the Kitoi, dating to the Early Neolithic (8000-7000/6800 BP), and the Isakovo/Serovo/Glazkovo (ISG) cultural complex, dating to the Late Neolithic (Isakavo/Serovo: 6000/5800-5200 BP) and Early Bronze Age (Glazkovo: 5200/5000-4000 BP). A major cultural discontinuity is thought to have occurred in the Middle Neolithic (7000/6800-6000/5800 BP). Current and previous research suggests that the Early Neolithic Kitoi were bioculturally distinct from the Late Neolithic-Bronze Age ISG cultural complex. Population, side, sex, and age differences in the expression of non-metric traits were explored as indicators of differing activity patterns and divisions of labour between and within the Kitoi and ISG samples, as well as two Kitoi cemeteries: Shamanka II and Lokomotiv. Results of analyses indicate that the Kitoi, particularly males, were taking part in locomotion over steep terrain while carrying heavy loads, probably related to hunting trips. The ISG do not show evidence of these types of activities, suggesting a population difference in the frequency and degree of physically strenuous activity. Kitoi and Shamanka II males and young adult individuals show evidence of having performed the majority of the strenuous lifting and carrying, as well as evidence of increased mobility relative to females. These results indicative of strong divisions of labour in the Kitoi population. Patterns in trait frequencies were also examined for indications of how multiple underlying factors may be interacting. Trait distribution throughout the body provides evidence of the dominance of biomechanical stress as a causative factor in the expression of postcranial non-metric traits. Other factors that become visible when the influence of biomechanical stress is lower include genotype, trauma, and cartilage degeneration. The results of this project are consistent with current theories on the adaptive regimes of the Kitoi and ISG populations and strongly support previous work by BAP researchers in the areas of skeletal robusticity, osteoarthritis, and musculoskeletal stress markers. The research also helps to broaden the knowledge base about the etiologies of the non-metric traits involved.

This analysis examined cranial epigenetic and morphological nonmetric traits in 756 subadults (fetal to <20 years), in European, African, and Asian samples. The goals of this research were to assess: the age and manner in which nonmetric traits develop and if variation between geographic groupings is present in subadults; the role of the adolescent growth spurt in trait expression; the feasibility of utilizing subadult crania in biological distance studies and ancestry assessment. A number of epigenetic and morphological traits show a primarily genetic versus developmental basis, suggested by the fact that there was no difference in trait frequencies between the fetal/0-3 and 15-20 year age categories. Eighty-five percent of epigenetic traits appear before 3 years; 54% were age stable by 3 years, and 75% were stable before age ten. Geographic cranial variation is present at an early age as demonstrated by the appearance of 58% of morphological traits before age 3, and 90% by age 10. Ten and a half percent of morphological traits are age stable before 3 years of age, 48% by age 10. Traits statistically significant between pre-pubertal and pubertal and/or pubertal and post pubertal individuals are hyperostotic, functional, and in some cases, sex dependent. Few epigenetic (1.3%) and morphological traits (7.9%) were found to be sex dependent, possibly because sexually dimorphism may not be fully expressed in individuals in the 15-20 year age category. Features that indicate ancestry develop before puberty, and do not require the onset of puberty and sexual dimorphism to be fully formed. Three-quarters of epigenetic traits were age stable and showed trait frequencies similar to adults before 10 years of age, suggesting subadults could be included in biodistance studies using these traits. Twenty-four morphological traits were statistically significant between geographic groups and show promise for future use in the forensic analysis of ancestry assessment in children.

This analysis examined cranial epigenetic and morphological nonmetric traits in 756 subadults (fetal to <20 years), in European, African, and Asian samples. The goals of this research were to assess: the age and manner in which nonmetric traits develop and if variation between geographic groupings is present in subadults; the role of the adolescent growth spurt in trait expression; the feasibility of utilizing subadult crania in biological distance studies and ancestry assessment. A number of epigenetic and morphological traits show a primarily genetic versus developmental basis, suggested by the fact that there was no difference in trait frequencies between the fetal/0-3 and 15-20 year age categories. Eighty-five percent of epigenetic traits appear before 3 years; 54% were age stable by 3 years, and 75% were stable before age ten. Geographic cranial variation is present at an early age as demonstrated by the appearance of 58% of morphological traits before age 3, and 90% by age 10. Ten and a half percent of morphological traits are age stable before 3 years of age, 48% by age 10. Traits statistically significant between pre-pubertal and pubertal and/or pubertal and post pubertal individuals are hyperostotic, functional, and in some cases, sex dependent. Few epigenetic (1.3%) and morphological traits (7.9%) were found to be sex dependent, possibly because sexually dimorphism may not be fully expressed in individuals in the 15-20 year age category. Features that indicate ancestry develop before puberty, and do not require the onset of puberty and sexual dimorphism to be fully formed. Three-quarters of epigenetic traits were age stable and showed trait frequencies similar to adults before 10 years of age, suggesting subadults could be included in biodistance studies using these traits. Twenty-four morphological traits were statistically significant between geographic groups and show promise for future use in the forensic analysis of ancestry assessment in children.

This dissertation examines human mobility and population interactions at the Imperial Roman (ca. 1st–3rd c. CE) sites of Isola Sacra (SCR) at Portus, Velia in the Cilento of Italy, and Rue Jacques Brel Necropolis (JBR) in Saintes, France. Isotopes of oxygen (18Oc) and strontium (87Sr/86Sr) are used to assess instances of human mobility from the enamel of second molars (M2), providing a gauge of movement after age ~7–8 years. Nonmetric traits are employed in conjunction with isotopic perspectives to examine the nature of biological affinities and phenetic divergence between these three sites. Isotopic results of this study indicate that a significant number of individuals, including females and children, were mobile towards the sites at which they were ultimately interred, with the highest estimates of mobility provided by 18Oc seeing rates between 25%–38% across the three sites. 87Sr/86Sr results provided lower estimates of mobility ranging from zero cases at Velia to 30% at JBR, while combined 18Oc and 87Sr/86Sr analyses provided the lowest estimates of mobility ranging from zero cases at Velia to 20% at JBR. Such results suggest that a combined isotope approach may not necessarily increase the degree of mobility discrimination, bringing into question issues of regional homogeneity and overlap in 18Oc and 87Sr/86Sr values for the regions examined. A further examination of 18Oc variation in M1 vs. M2 vs. M3 for a sub-sample of 20 individuals indicates that childhood mobility was taking place at Portus. Nonmetric trait analysis provides insight to the nature of biological population similarity and divergence. Across the three sites SCR is the most similar to JBR and Velia, while Velia and JBR are the most dissimilar. The nature of these similarities suggests that overall the biological background of the people interred at JBR, SCR, and Velia is similar, but with unique regional phenetic differences indicating distinct biological populations at all three sites. Using these multiple lines of evidence this dissertation emphasizes a significant degree of mobility and population heterogeneity across the Roman landscape. It is evident from the research findings presented here that with the expanding Roman empire mobility and population interaction remained staples of Roman life. / Dissertation / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

In this thesis, three individuals were analysed from the medieval church St. Hans in Visby, Sweden. The three individuals were interred within the older graveyard of ‘All-Saints’ Church’. The burial of multiple individuals in a single grave was considered exceptional due to its deviation from standard burial rituals. The archaeological report suggested a familial connection among the buried individuals, with individual 13 initially buried in a wooden coffin, followed by individual 10 laid atop the coffin, and individual 9 subsequently laid atop individual 10. The study focused on non-metric traits, in these three individuals. Non-metric traits of the skeleton encompass features with a presumed genetic basis, which can also be influenced by external environmental factors and internal physiological conditions. These traits, categorised into dental, cranial, and post-cranial traits, were typically employed to investigate population affinities and aid in forensic identification. However, their genetic nature also can render them useful for examining familial relationships. Despite their potential, utilising non-metric traits to ascertain familial relationships posed challenges. These challenges included data quality, stratigraphic association, and data gaps in the St. Hans material. Understanding these constraints was crucial for determining the reliability of non-metric traits as a tool for familial analysis. / I denna uppsats har tre individer analyserats från den medeltida kyrkan S:t Hans i Visby, Sverige. De tre individerna var gravsatta i den äldre begravningsplatsen som tillhörde Allhelgonakyrkan. Begravningen av flera personer i en och samma grav betraktades som exceptionell på grund av avvikelsen från standardbegravningsritualer. Den arkeologiska rapporten föreslog en släktskaplig koppling mellan de begravda individerna, där individ 13 initialt begravdes i en träkista, följt av individ 10 som lades ovanpå kistan, och individ 9 som därefter lades ovanpå individ 10. Studien fokuserade på icke-metriska egenskaper hos dessa tre individer. Icke-metriska särdrag I skelettet omfattar drag med en möjlig genetisk grund, som också kan påverkas av externa miljöfaktorer och interna fysiologiska förhållanden. Dessa egenskaper, kategoriseras som dentala, kraniala och post-kraniala egenskaper, användes vanligtvis för att undersöka populationsaffiniteter och bistå vid rättsmedicinsk identifiering. Trots deras potential utgjorde användningen av icke-metriska egenskaper för att fastställa släktskapsrelationer utmaningar. Dessa utmaningar inkluderade datorkvalitet, stratigrafisk sammanslutning och dataluckor i materialet från S:t Hans. Att förstå dessa begränsningar var avgörande för att fastställa tillförlitligheten hos icke-metriska egenskaper som ett verktyg för släktanalyser.

The non-metric postcranial traits characterize biological variability of human skeletal morphology. Special attention is beeing paid to changes in some muscular or ligaments' binding areas and to changes of the articulation facets which are considered to be possibly retaled to excessive physical stress, occuring through the lifetime. The osteological material belonging to the populations of the Corded Ware culture and the Bell Beaker culture in the area of Bohemia has been surveyed with respect to non-metric trait occurence. The origin of both of these culture bearers is still a discused issue. There is a hypothesis saying that bearers of both Late Eneotithic cultures might represent actually one population and the differency of cultural patterns were due only to life-style changes, not to large-area migration. With respect to the frequency of 94 postcranial non-metric traits both samples have been compared to each other on a basis of measure of divergence and mean measure of divergence. The samples of Late Eneolithic populations showed significant difference only in frequencies of two non- metric traits and along with the values of mean measure of divergence they seem to show rather homogeneity. Afterwards both samples were compared with a sample from Great Moravian burial site Mikulčice - Kostelisko and...

Au cours du Ve millénaire avant notre ère, le Bassin parisien voit l’émergence des premières nécropoles et du monumentalisme funéraire. Associé à la culture de Cerny, ces vestiges offrent un observatoire privilégié des mutations sociales que connaissent les communautés du Néolithique moyen en France. À partir d’une approche archéo-anthropologique, nous livrons ici un bilan complet de la population Cerny, au niveau général, à l’échelle des trois types de site (à structure de type Passy, plats et à sépulture sous dalle), et au niveau de chaque nécropole. Les sites de Passy, Balloy, Gron, Escolives-Sainte-Camille, Vignely (La Noue Fenard et La Porte aux Bergers), Chichery, Orville, Malesherbes (Les Marsaules et La Chaise), qui réunissent l’essentiel des squelettes Cerny mis au jour (n=160), font l’objet de cette étude. Quel que soit le niveau scalaire, le croisement des paramètres biologiques et archéologiques est systématisé et soumis à la décision statistique. Les résultats s’inscrivent dans un cadre interprétatif fiable grâce à de nouvelles datations 14C. Les analyses intra-sites révèlent différentes modalités sélectives des défunts et, parfois, le rassemblement codifié de sépultures en différents loci. Le statut des inhumés et leur fonction sociale jouent un rôle prépondérant dans la structuration des sites. Deux modèles organisationnels, dont un, répété de nécropole en nécropole, illustre une hiérarchisation des statuts à l’intérieur des structures monumentales. La correspondance de ces mêmes statuts en nécropoles plates suggère que l’identité sociale des défunts n’est pas la seule raison d’être du monumentalisme funéraire. Enfin, la dualité du Cerny, traditionnellement rattachée à deux manifestations diachroniques de la culture, doit être reconsidérée. La différenciation typologique évidente entre les longs couloirs de type Passy et les sépultures sous dalles de type Malesherbes, est ici soutenue par une distinction d’ordres funéraire et biologique, indépendamment du facteur chronologique, remettant en question l’unité culturelle du Cerny. / During the 5th millennium B.C., the Paris Basin sees the emergence of the first necropoles and funerary monumentality. Associated with the Cerny culture, these vestiges offer a privileged insight into the social transformations of Middle Neolithic communities in France. Following an archaeo-anthropological approach, we present a full assessment of the Cerny population as a whole, according to the three types of sites (Passy type structures, extended flat sites and slab graves) and with regard to each necropolis. The sites of Passy, Balloy, Gron, Escolives-Sainte-Camille, Vignely (La Noue Fenard and La Porte aux Bergers), Chichery, Orville, Malesherbes (Les Marsaules and La Chaise), which comprise the bulk of Cerny skeletons uncovered (n=160), constitute the object of this study. The cross-referencing of biological and archaeological parameters is systematized and subjected to statistical reasoning, regardless of the scalar value. These results, combined with new 14C dates, provide a reliable interpretive framework. Intrasite analyses reveal different modes of selection of the deceased and, occasionally, codified grouping of burials into separate loci. The rank of the dead and their social status play a predominant role in the structuring of the sites. Two models of organisation, one of which is repeated in every necropolis, illustrate the social stratification operating within monumental structures. The presence of individuals of similar status in flat necropoles suggests that the social identity of individuals is not the raison d'être of monumental graves. Moreover, the duality of the Cerny culture, traditionally seen as two diachronic manifestations of this culture, must now be reconsidered. The clear typological distinction between the long passage tombs of the Passy type and the slab graves of the Malesherbes type is herein upheld on both funerary and biological levels, regardless of chronology, thus calling the Cerny cultural unity into question.