Showing papers in "International Journal of Anthropology in 1991"
TL;DR: It is shown how the sex and age distribution of the (once) living population can be calculated from estimated mortalities from Westerhus and Helgeandsholmen.
Abstract: It is shown how the sex and age distribution of the (once) living population can be calculated from estimated mortalities. Fertility calculations and estimations of the number of children per woman are provided as well. The method is applied to two materials from the Middle Ages: Westerhus and Helgeandsholmen.
36 citations
TL;DR: Some brief notes on the scientific, medical, dental and educational importance and value of collections of recent human skeletons drawn from populations in all parts of the world are set down.
Abstract: Having been approached from time to time by various museum, university and governmental authorities in Australia, California and Scotland, I have set down some brief notes on the scientific, medical, dental and educational importance and value of collections of recent human skeletons drawn from populations in all parts of the world.
32 citations
TL;DR: The suitability of the large collection of known sex (n♂=357, n⧫=213), housed in the Department of Anthropology of the University of Coimbra, as a reference series for sex diagnosis from skulls, was investigated.
Abstract: The suitability of the large collection of skulls of known sex (n♂=357, n⧫=213), housed in the Department of Anthropology of the University of Coimbra, as a reference series for sex diagnosis from skulls, was investigated. This was done by calculating estimates for the maximum «actual discriminatory value for samples being diagnosed». here called Dt max. The estimates for this statistic were found to be relatively low. Depending on the estimation procedure used, values of 1.68 and 1.64, were obtained, which correspond with theoretical percentages of correct classification of 79.8 and 79.3, respectively. An attempt was then made to investigate whether the low level of sexual dimorphism was due to heterogeneity in the series, which was therefore partitioned into Northern, Central and Southern groups according to place of birth. Only in the Southern group was the level of sexual dimorphism found to be slightly higher than in the whole series.
27 citations
TL;DR: The earliest human occupation of the South American Pacific Coast at latitudes of around 18° South appears to have been by hunters and gatherers in the process of adapting to a maritime setting as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: The earliest human occupation of the South American Pacific Coast at latitudes of around 18° South appears to have been by hunters and gatherers in the process of adapting to a maritime setting. One of their most distinctive features are their ritual treatment of their dead by a form of mummification. These mummies are the earliest yet described. The bodies were eviscerated, treated internally and externally, refilled with a variety of materials, modelled externally with clay and the skin replaced over the modelled shape. A number of variation in technique have been noted. Radiocarbon dates (uncorrected) range from 7810±180 B.P. to 2480±100 B.P. It is hypothesised that this early occupation was the result of population movements from a tropical forest environment because of population pressure. This hypothesis has been tested using evidence derived from biological distance studies based on craniometrical data, blood groups and enzymes, on material cultural remains and on ecological comparisons.
18 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a statistical method based on the maximum likelihood principle for estimating mortalities of skeletal populations is presented, which can be applied both when osteological age groups are not overlapping as well as when they are.
Abstract: A statistical method (based on the maximum likelihood principle) for estimating mortalities of skeletal populations is presented. The method can be applied both when osteological age groups are not overlapping as well as when they are. The results are presented as point estimates and as confidence intervals around these. The method is applied to two series from the Middle Ages: Westerhus and Helgeandsholmen.
13 citations
TL;DR: Urban-rural variations, correlations among the variables, and the patterns of family aggregation support the conclusion that different influences are operating in this population regarding development of height, of weight, and of subcutaneous fat deposition.
Abstract: The pattern of growth of body size variables and apical pulse rate have been suggested to be significant to cardiovascular status in adulthood. In order to investigate influences on the growth pattern of somatic variables in juveniles in contrasting environments, the relationships of body size variables, apical pulse, and age, and the patterns of family aggregations and of heritability of these were examined among juveniles in a modernizing society. Weight, height, triceps and subscapular skinfolds, and apical pulse were measured and weight/height2 was calculated for 431 urban and rural dwelling juvenile Maya females aged 9.5 to 20.4 years, and a sample of their mothers (n=96) living in the state of Yucatan, Mexico. In addition, comparisons were made of the somatic variables for urban and rural sibling pairs (n=89) and motherdaughter pairings (n=149). Weight, height, and skinfolds were consistently lower in rural juveniles, and urban-rural variation was noted in the pattern of growth. Urban-rural variation was evident in the patterns of family aggregation and heritability of body size variables. Family tendency was generally elevated in the urban sample, but with some major deviations. Urban-rural variations, correlations among the variables, and the patterns of family aggregation support the conclusion that different influences are operating in this population regarding development of height, of weight, and of subcutaneous fat deposition.
12 citations
TL;DR: A cross section of the population suggests that reproduction may not have been sufficient to maintain population numbers, a hypothesis corroborated by parity statistics as well as contemporaty literature.
Abstract: Skeletons of 139 Herculaneans trapped by the vulcanic eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79 were studied by observation, measurement and chemical analysis. A cross section of the population suggests that reproduction may not have been sufficient to maintain population numbers, a hypothesis corroborated by parity statistics as well as contemporaty literature. In general, this population had excellent teeth with few lesions and edge-bite occlusion. Twenty-seven percent had some degree of hypoplastic lines in the dental enamel, suggesting that childhood illnesses were common. The ancient population was taller than modern Neopolitans, but shorter than modern Americans. Also, their children grew at a slower rate than Americans of the same ages. Biochemical analysis suggests that their diet was more dependent on sea fish than on red meat. Lead analysis shows slightly higher values for the adult male population than for the females. Some degree of arthritis was apparent in 42% of the population. Traumata occurred to 22.7% of these people. Signs of healed anemia in any degree are present in 34.1%; etiology could have been nutritional deficiency or heterozygotic thalassemia. Two individuals and their pathologies are presented: one case of congenital bilateral hip dysplasia and the other of healed rickets.
10 citations
TL;DR: A new concept about the transnasal approach to the cranium is presented, based on experiments in fresh cadavers in which the brain was able to remove through the nostril by means of a simple rod of bamboo partially wrapped with moistened linen bandages.
Abstract: From the Mook—Collection in Munich 81 skulls and 7 complete heads of mummies found around Thebes and Abydos and dating from 1500–1000 BC were examined by fiberendoscope and operation microscope. Especially the nasal cavities and the ethmoidal perforations were studied through which the ancient moidal perforations were studied through which the ancient Egyptian embalmers removed the brain in the process of mummification. In many skulls these ethmoidal perforations had been nicely and meticulously prepared and we called in question whether this could be achieved merely by means of a metal hook as been described by Herodotus. We saw four different sites of the artificial foramina in the ethmoid. 22 perforations were symmetrically located in the ethmoid, 12 predominantly in the right ethmoid, 49 prediminantly in the left ethmoid and 5 perforations in the sphenoid. We present a new concept about the transnasal approach to the cranium, based on experiments in fresh cadavers in which we were able to remove the brain through the nostril by means of a simple rod of bamboo partially wrapped with moistened linen bandages. This technique of brain removal could during the process of mummification.
9 citations
TL;DR: It is shown that not all teeth continue to be worn at the same rate throughout life and that there is an association between advanced attrition and risk of dying.
Abstract: The rate of attrition on the permanent molars may depend on culturally and economically determined conditions of living. In order to analyse the relation the probability of having entered the stages of attrition is analysed by means of logistic regression on age at death. It is shown that not all teeth continue to be worn at the same rate throughout life and that there is an association between advanced attrition and risk of dying. The rate of dental attrition does not differ much by sex but there are some indications that male teeth are worn quicker than female teeth. This greater rate of attrition might be due to greater consumption of food in males than in females. The stages of dental attrition give some information on the age at death but they are poor age indicators on their own.
8 citations
TL;DR: The study shows an evolution in the components of the somatotype with age, and a distribution of somatoplots in the Somatochart which presnts peculiar characteristics in both sexes.
Abstract: Using the Heath-Carter (1972) method modified byHebbelinck
et al (1973), the somatotypes ina Spanish school-age population were determined The study shows an evolution in the components of the somatotype with age, and a distribution of somatoplots in the somatochart which presnts peculiar characteristics in both sexes
6 citations
TL;DR: Changes with age in fatness and fat patterning in a cross-sectional sample of Spanish schoolgirls from 6 to 16 years of age living in an urban area are described, including some pattern changes found in amount of fatness as well as in fat distribution at pubescence.
Abstract: The present study assesses changes with age in fatness and fat patterning in a cross-sectional sample of Spanish schoolgirls from 6 to 16 years of age living in an urban area (Madrid). Arm muscle area and arm fat area were derived from middle-upper arm anthropometry. Body mass index (weight/height2) and the sum of the skinfold thicknesses at three sites (triceps, subscapular and suprailiac) were computed as indices of adiposity; and two indices of subcutaneous fat distribution were also defined: the natural logarithms of subscapular/triceps and suprailiac/triceps skinfold thickness ratios. Changes with age in these variables are described, including some pattern changes found in amount of fatness as well as in fat distribution at pubescence. At this time, there is a plateau in fat deposition, and even a fat loss the average (at triceps site). Prior to pubescence, subcutaneous fat distribution changes from «pheripheral» to a more generalized pattern, but no well-defined pattern of change is found after the onset of menarche. Furthermore, the effect of the onset of puberty on all these variables is analyzed.
TL;DR: The Tamang women tea-labouren of Jalpaiguri district show no significant difference in age at menopause among their three «migration status» groups, viz., MO, M1 and M2+.
Abstract: The Tamang women tea-labouren of Jalpaiguri district show no significant difference in age at menopause among their three «migration status» groups, viz., MO, M1 and M2+. The mean age at menopause is 47.3±4.26 and the median age is 47.68 years. A significant difference occurs between the observed mean age at menopause and 45 years, which is generally taken to be the menopausal age by convention. These Tamang women seem to be similar to other hill women in respect of age at menopause.
TL;DR: Sixtynine nonmetrical morphological variants of the cranium have been studied in six samples of non-tribal, state populations in India, and their incidence reported using C.A.B. Smith's angular transformation of frequencies, multivariate Thetasquare distances and their respective standard deviations have been presented.
Abstract: Sixty-nine nonmetrical morphological variants of the cranium have been studied in six samples of non-tribal, state populations in India, and their incidence reported. Using C.A.B. Smith’s angular transformation of frequencies, the multivariate Thetasquare distances and their respective standard deviations have been presented. On the basis of nonmetrical cranial variation, it is clear that the samples from Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar are closer to each other but distant from Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra. On the other hand, Karnataka and Maharashtra samples are quite close to each other and both, in turn, are comparatively closer to Madhya Pradesh than to Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Bihar. Madhya Pradesh sample emerges as the most divergent group among the six population samples studied. This, in general, is in conformity with the picture that emerges from various analysis of morphometric and other biological data on various populations of India.
TL;DR: In this paper, the femora of 364 individuals of southern African tribes and South Africans of European origin were analysed for population and side differences, focusing on multivariate analyses, although uni-and bivariate statistics were also employed and discussed.
Abstract: Both femora of 364 individuals of southern African tribes and South Africans of European origin were analysed for population and side differences. Emphasis was placed on multivariate analyses, although uni-and bivariate statistics were also employed and discussed. While the latter analyses did not provide conclusive results, all multivariate tests were highly significant and demonstrated that differences between samples were predominantly due to shape variability, especially of the proximal part of the femur. Among southern African Negroes a morphological gradient seemed to be apparent between Sothos, Zulus and Xosas following a clinal pattern. Differences between southern African tribes and Europeans were marked, but may, at least in part, be accounted for by different environmental factors and activity levels. Side differences of femora were found to be pronounced in all populations studied and also showed a comparable morphological pattern between the samples. The left femur was generally more robust than the right indicating that it was better suited to withstand axial forces and medio-lateral bending. Thus, the findings lend support to the hypothesis that there exist a universal pattern of lateralization, whereby the left lower limb is commonly used for weight-bearing while the right one is more likely used for motor-tasks.
TL;DR: In this paper, two methods, Todd (Todd, 1920, 1921) and Suchey-Brooks (Katz & Suchey, 1986), which use morphological changes of theos pubis as an indicator of age at death, were applied to a sample of Central California Indians.
Abstract: Reliable palaeodemographic reconstruction is dependent upon accurate determination of age at death in human skeletal remains. Two methods, Todd (Todd, 1920, 1921) and Suchey-Brooks (Katz & Suchey, 1986), which use morphological changes of theos pubis as an indicator of age at death, were applied to a sample of Central California Indians. Life tables were constructed and the two data sets were compared. Differences between the two data sets were evident when life expectancies, mean ages, and survivorship curves were compared. Because both methods were developed using male samples, only the male data were considered valid. In a comparison between the two male data sets it became apparent that the differences lie in the upper decades depending upon which method was used. In an attempt to rectify the difference in age ranges between the two methods, a conversion of Todd phases into equivalent Suchey-Brooks phases (Katz & Suchey, 1986) was employed. Applications and limitations of both methods are discussed and it is suggested that the Suchey-Brooks method is to be perferred.
TL;DR: The tropical environment, the nutritional imbalances and the village hygienic conditions are considered responsible for the spread of HAV infection and the reasons why HAV and HBV affect the population under an asymptomatic or an unrecognised form are suggested.
Abstract: An investigation for HAV and HBV markers of infection was carried out among the Asmat population of Irian Jaya (Indonesian New Guinea).
TL;DR: The results show that the diet of the people inhumed at the site of Porros was based on a fundamentally marine economy perhaps mollusc collecting, which agrees with a coastal location for the settlement site.
Abstract: The aim of this study is to establish the basic diet of the people inhumed at the site of Porros by analysing some of the alkaline earth metals present in human and animal bones. The site is a Talayotic necropolis established in the small island of «S'Illot des Porros» (Mallorca, Spain) during the 6th to 2nd century B.C. In this island the only evidence of human activity to be found is the necropolis; the corresponding settlement site is unknown.
TL;DR: The Italo-Albanian ethno-linguistic minority, living in 9 provinces of Southern Italy, has shown an increase of intermarriages with native Italian speaking individuals for the last decades of the 20th century.
Abstract: The Italo-Albanian ethno-linguistic minority, living in 9 provinces of Southern Italy, has shown an increase of intermarriages with native Italian speaking individuals for the last decades of the 20th century. Marriage data was obtained through direct interviews of families of primary school students (6–13 years old). The information collected consisted of the birth place of parents and grandparents of each informant. The percentage values of intermarriages are about 25 in grandparents and 40 in parents.
TL;DR: In this article, a comparison with estimates from annotated baptismal registers shows that they consistently to underestimate the amount of migration, and a method is proposed which may compensate for such bias in an observed matrix of migration.
Abstract: Anglican marriage registers are the only source to allow a comprehensive survey of migration rates in England from the sixteenth century to the present day. However, a comparison with estimates from annotated baptismal registers shows them consistently to underestimate the amount of migration. A method is proposed which may compensate for such bias in an observed matrix of migration.
TL;DR: The most significant results have been achieved in predicting the amount of fat on the basis of the afore-listed factors in old women, while the poorest predictability has been found in male infants.
Abstract: Subcutaneous fatfolds in 6440 subjects aged 3–90 (including 3427 males) from 5 populations in Poland inhabiting rural areas, showing different degrees of urbanization and industrialization, were measured at 10 sites of the body with the Parizkova method using the Harpenden caliper. The examination covered also 988 children, aged 1–36 months from Warsaw. On the basis of the measurement of 4 fat-folds examined in the following order: on the cheek, under the scapula, on the abdomen and the calf, 18 types of the distribution of the adipose tissue (patterning) were identified. These were described with the following coding: 1=scanty, 2=medium, 3=thick. The types showing the statistically relevant surpluses are: 1111, 1112, 1221, 1222, 1333, 2111, 2112, 2121, 2211, 2221, 2222, 2223, 2332, 2333, 3222, 3223, 3332, 3333. Type 1111 prevails in rural populations, but is also frequent in populations inhabiting strongly industrialized areas. In the rural populations inhabiting areas under the initial stage of industrialization type 2111 is predominant, while, the 3333 is typical of industrial towns and cities. The first factor defines fatness, the second factor defines the anatomical distribution of fat (patterning). These two factors explain 72–73 per cent of the total variation of 10 measured folds. The most significant results have been achieved in predicting the amount of fat on the basis of the afore-listed factors in old women, while the poorest predictability has been found in male infants. It has been established that when the cheek-fold is thick, the folds at other sites of the body are not scanty in most cases, while the scanty fold on the trunk and the calf indicates the absence of the thickness on the cheek. When the adipose tissue is medium under the scapula or on the abdomen, it is not thick, in the majority of subjects, on the abdomen or under the scapula. When the subscapular tissue or those on the abdomen and the calf are thick, no scanty folds are found at other sites of the trunk and the leg. The correlation between the thickness of the adipose tissue at different sites of the body is more conspicuous in men than in women. The best «predictor» of fatness in male infants is the measurement on the abdomen or on the 10th rib, while in male subjects aged 3–90, it is the subscapular fold, or the 10th rib or the thigh. In female infants the best predictor is the adipose tissue on the abdomen, on the cheek and under the scapula, while in subjects aged 3–90 it is the 10th rib, the abdomen and the suprailiac fold. The measurements of the adipose tissue on the cheek and under the scapula are the best fat patterning «predictors».
TL;DR: Three population samples from Iran (Tabriz, Yazd, Mashhad) have been typed for four enzyme group polymorphisms: ACP1, ESD, AK, and PGD and the phenotype and allele frequencies are presented and compared with other Iranian populations.
Abstract: Three population samples from Iran (Tabriz, Yazd, Mashhad) have been typed for four enzyme group polymorphisms: ACP1, ESD, AK, and PGD. The phenotype and allele frequencies are presented and compared with other Iranian populations. The AK allele frequencies do not show significant intergroup heterogeneity, whereas ACP1, ESD and PGD allele frequencies disclose obvious heterogeneity. The possible reasons therefore are discussed.
TL;DR: The history of environment in human terms is the history of knowing and not knowing about the nature and extent of human interactions with that environment as mentioned in this paper, and the acceleration requires a re-definition, in global terms, of what environment means and a greatly increased awareness on the part of individual people of the changes in the interaction patterns and of the resulting changes in environment.
Abstract: The history of environment in human terms is the history of knowing... and of not knowing... about the nature and extent of human interactions with that environment. In recent human history, those interactions (with the environment and among people) have accelerated dramatically. Human-environment relationships are complicated by that acceleration and by the resulting increases in levels of complexity. The acceleration requires a re-definition, in global terms, of what environment means and a greatly increased awareness on the part of individual people of the changes in the interaction patterns and of the resulting changes in environment, both in perception and in reality. A transcendent awareness could radically change the forms of human institutions, especially those of law and ethics. Such changes might then allow humans to temper their exchanges with and impacts on the environment.
TL;DR: The mountain subpopulations, which showed the highest contribution to spatial differentiation, has not changed since the last war and the comparison with a random sample shows that the results are not affected by the nature of the sample.
Abstract: The effect of population movement on the genetic structure was examined in Massa Carrara province by generation using blood group obtained from hospital donors. The sample was typed for ABO, Rh and Kell systems. The sample covers a temporal span of two generations (50 years) separated by the end of the last war. Spatial variation was statistical significant in both generations and was higher in the second generation, while temporal variation was significant only for the two principal towns of the province. Due to lack of migration from outside, the mountain subpopulations, which showed the highest contribution to spatial differentiation, has not changed since the last war. The comparison with a random sample shows that the results are not affected by the nature of the sample.
TL;DR: Two population groups of Jammu and Kashmir (India) — Muslims and Bodhs-have been typed for haptoglobin and for CG and PI subtype polymorphisms and the allele frequencies do not show significant differences between these two populations.
Abstract: Two population groups of Jammu and Kashmir (India) — Muslims and Bodhs-have been typed for haptoglobin and for CG and PI subtype polymorphisms. The allele frequencies do not show significant differences between these two populations. HP and GC allele frequencies of Bodhs and Muslims differ considerably from with that observed in other North Indian populations. The PI allele frequencies of Bohds and Muslims differ considerably from those found in other Indian populations and are more similar to Mongoloid ones.
TL;DR: During systematic archaelogical excavations of the early medieval kingdom of Serbia, and adult male skull belonging to the skeleton of a Roman individual was unearthed at Babrež site in the Ras region, a supernumerary bone was found interposed between the frontal bones of the skull and the facial skeleton.
Abstract: During systematic archaelogical excavations of the early medieval kingdom of Serbia, and adult male skull belonging to the skeleton of a Roman individual was unearthed at Babrež site in the Ras region. A supernumerary bone was found interposed between the frontal bones of the skull and the facial skeleton. Paleopathological investigation and CT reconstruction proved that this skull had been deformed during foetal development due to a disorder or disease affecting the mother. This probably led to the formation of the supernumerary Glabellar bone in the frontal region. This is the first case of Os Glabellae recorded so far.
TL;DR: The authors have studied the data relating to a 24 hours pilot inquiry carried out at 49 rural families from the Administrative Community of Praia, Santiago Island, Cape Verde to search out the consumption in calories, proteins and other nutrients and to define the level of satisfaction of the nutritional needs of the mentioned group.
Abstract: The authors have studied the data relating to a 24 hours pilot inquiry carried out at 49 rural families from the Administrative Community of Praia, Santiago Island. Cape Verde. Their aims were: 1) to know about the consum-ed food; 2) to search out, in quality and quantity, the consumption in calories, proteins and other nutrients; 3) to define the level of satisfaction of the nutritional needs of the mentioned group. The discussion of the results stated the main conclusions: the group of nutriments mostly consumed was the fourth one which is composed by foods rich in carbohydrates and proteins of low valua. In this group the four most important nutriments are: maize, wheat, rice and bean, which represent around 66% of the total weight of them. An acceptable level of satisfaction of the individual average needs per family is achieved for proteins (although the consumption of proteins of vegetable origin is much more important than the consumption of animal proteins), for vitamins B1 and C and iron. Considering calories and other nutrients (vitamins A, B2 and PP, and calcium) there are some shortages. The individual average values per family obtained and those recommended by FAO/OMS showed significant differences for calories and nutrients (test ≪t≫ of Student).
TL;DR: In the present work, Eco RI digested genomic DNA from Macaca fascicularis, Pan troglodytes and Man were hybridized with three human probes (β1-Integrin, pAW101; anderb-B2) and the relative restriction patterns are presented.
Abstract: In the present work, Eco RI digested genomic DNA fromMacaca fascicularis, Pan troglodytes and Man were hybridized with three human probes (β1-Integrin, pAW101; anderb-B2) and the relative restriction patterns are presented.
TL;DR: A comparison of erythrocyte markers (ABO, Rh system) gene frequencies was done by bar code diagrams in populations of variable ethnic origin, and polymorphism was observed in immense country very peopled but polymorphism existed in tribes living in very isolated islands.
Abstract: A comparison of erythrocyte markers (ABO, Rh system) gene frequencies was done by bar code diagrams in populations of variable ethnic origin. The results from missions for the development in Far East Asia (China, Indochina, New Guinea) were compared to well known gene frequencies of the populations living in other regions: inhabitants of the islands of the Pacific ocean, Europeans of New Zealand and Western Europe (France), Europeans of North America, Ameridans of Peru and Bolivia, Somalians of Africa. Polymorphism was observed in immense country very peopled, monomorphism was found in small and isolated region but polymorphism existed in tribes living in very isolated islands.