摘要:

AbstractData are presented on 45 cranial non‐metric traits in skeletal samples of the Lower Nubian A‐Group (ca. 3100–2500 BC) and C‐Group (ca. 2000–1500 BC) cultural periods. Results, based on the mean measure of divergence statistic, reveal biological continuity, consistent with interpretations ofin situevolution as opposed to models of discontinuity resulting from gene flow. Any differences between the A‐and C‐Group cultural phases that may be evident in the archaeological record are therefore more likely the result of local cultural evolution, rather than the introduction of new ideas, customs, and materials through the migration of a new population into this area. The problem of small samples necessitates that our results be accept

ISSN:1047-482X    

DOI:10.1002/oa.1390050202

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractThe earliest domestic animals in south Scandinavia and Iberia are claimed to be small numbers of pigs and cattle in late mesolithic and (in Iberia) earliest neolithic contexts. This paper examines these claims, and argues that there are no metrical grounds for separating a few bones of these species from the larger number of wild cattle and pigs. All the claimed domestic specimens are therefore most probably wild. Small cattle bones from the Ertebølle of Denmark are now referred to as wild aurochs. Contemporary claimed domestic and ‘transitional’ specimens from Rosenhof and Bregentwedt/Förstermoor in northern Germany are so close in size to these that they too are probably wild; the concept of ‘transitional’ cattle is criticized. Claimed ‘transitional’ pigs in northern Germany are likewise probably wild. In Spain, mesolithic/early neolithic pigs are claimed from Sarsa, Parralejo and Nerja via a comparison with the wild and domestic size ranges from Zambujal in Portugal. It is argued that (i) the wild range at Zambujal is not fully known; and (ii) Zambujal is in any case an inappropriate comparison because prehistoric wild boar were smaller in the south and east of Iberia. Fewer comparanda are available when studying Iberian cattle, so the situation is less clear; but neither the pigs nor the cattle are demonstrably domestic. The paper concludes by mentioning other areas of Europe where a similar approach migh

ISSN:1047-482X    

DOI:10.1002/oa.1390050203

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractThis paper aims to emphasize the importance of imported commensal faunas in archaeological contexts by reporting on the earliest known house sparrows and house mice from the Iberian peninsula. The finds, which date to the Iron Age of a hinterland area of the peninsula, have been identified on the basis of osteomorphological and osteometrical criteria, which are specified in the text in order to demonstrate the reliability of the identification. The temporal and geographical coincidence of these remains in the two sites analysed with those of donkey and, secondarily, chicken remains and faunal remains of littoral origin, lends support to the hypothesis that these animals arrived with the earliest trans‐Mediterranean colonizers to the southern shores of the Iberian peninsula and spread involuntarily thereafter as ‘side‐products’ of the Phoenician commercial routes throughout the Iberian hin

ISSN:1047-482X    

DOI:10.1002/oa.1390050204

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractThis study was designed to determine whether the fibula, which is one of the least studied long bones, can provide reliable information for sexing of human bones, provided that one condition is satisfied, namely, its distal end is available for measurement. The materials consisted of the dried fibulae of 71 Japanese males and 35 females whose names, ages and sex were known. The distal end of the fibula was measured with respect to five novel dimensions that are closely related to the soft tissues that had been attached to the bone surface. Highly significant sex differences were found when all parameters examined were considered together. The differences for separate items were not, however, sufficient for sex discrimination. Discriminant analysis was performed using the five parameters and yielded the correct sex with 90. 6 per cent accuracy for the entire group of specimens. This degree of accuracy suggests the utility of the present method for sexing human bones, in particular, in osteoarchaeological situations.

ISSN:1047-482X    

DOI:10.1002/oa.1390050205

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractThe skull of a native Mexican from the colonial period is studied. The skull has a nasal trauma, dental pathology and two osteogenic lesions, one situated at the left wing of the sphenoid bone and the other in the infrainion occipital squamous bone, between the left mastoid process and the left occipital condyle. That involving the sphenoid occludes the optic nerve foramen and is evident through the orbit and at pterion. These osteogenic lesions are considered to be secondary to the soft tissue tumour mass, which, at the level of its implantation area, is usually present in meningiomas.

ISSN:1047-482X    

DOI:10.1002/oa.1390050206

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractDental caries rates are frequently based exclusively upon the number of carious teeth observed in a human skeletal series. However, a portion of the teeth lost antemortem will be lost because of severe carious decay, a factor not considered by many investigators. This paper reviews and critiques earlier attempts to adjust dental caries rates to account for antemortem loss of teeth, and proposes a new ‘caries correction factor’ that is population specific, requires no assumptions, and is sensitive to the temporal and ecogeographical context of a skeletal series.An example of how to apply this caries correction factor is provided using new data from the Bronze Age site of Harappa in northern Pakistan. Its value in dental palaeopathology is reviewed with two recent studies of dental caries in the Arabian Gulf, and concludes with a consideration of its possible application to non‐human pri

ISSN:1047-482X    

DOI:10.1002/oa.1390050207

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractOsteoporosis was probably rare in ancient times due to the short life expectancy. An extremely osteopaenic skeleton of an adult female who lived in the Negev Desert c. AD 500 was studied using radiology, bone densitometry and histomorphometry. Possible aetiologic factors are discussed, with special emphasis on calcium and/or vitamin D deficiency, because nutritional deficiency has been described in Bedouin women who retain traditional dietary habits resembling those prevalent in the Negev region in antiquity.

ISSN:1047-482X    

DOI:10.1002/oa.1390050208

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractTo assess the feasibility of the fusion (synostosis) status of the jugular growth plate as an age at death indicator, a series of 98 skulls of documented age and sex from the so‐called ‘Utrecht collection’ was examined. Ages at death in the series ranged from 14 to 92 years. Only specimens that could be inspected bilaterally were taken into account. According to the few but conflicting data from the literature, fusion happens at 16–18 years, or starts at ca. 25 years of age. In our sample no fusions were seen before the age of 22 years. Unilateral fusions were found only in the age range 22–34 years. At ages above 34 years in females and above 36 years in males all jugular growth plates were fused bilaterally. These results indicate that examination of the fusion status of the jugular growth plate is of use in age at death dete

ISSN:1047-482X    

DOI:10.1002/oa.1390050209

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractAn elderly male medieval skeleton excavated from St Gregory's Priory presented with unilateral Madelung's deformity. The right radius and ulna were shortened due to premature fusion of the distal growth plate. The radius displayed lateral and dorsal bowing and the ulna was dislocated posteriorly. Pronation and supination was not possible and the available hand bones presented with disuse atrophy. Degenerative changes had reduced the mobility of the elbow joint and marked cubitus valgus was demonstrated. The unilateral presentation, shortening of the ulna and atrophy of the hand bones and the sex of the skeleton suggest a post‐traumatic rather than an idiopathic form of Madelung's deformity. As far as we are aware this is the first archaeological example of this conditio

ISSN:1047-482X    

DOI:10.1002/oa.1390050210

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY

摘要:

AbstractA fourth molar in a mandible occurs very rarely, even in clinical surveys involving a large number of modern people. Having encountered a case with the fourth mandibular molar in a prehistoric skull in Japan, we would like to report on the macroscopic morphology of the case using X‐rays, and to discuss the case with reference to literature concerning supernumerary teeth in the molar regio

ISSN:1047-482X    

DOI:10.1002/oa.1390050211

出版商:John Wiley&Sons, Ltd.    

年代:1995

数据来源: WILEY