Showing papers in "International Journal of Anthropology in 1996"
TL;DR: Articular and periarticular markers of activity were detected as secondary degenerative joint diseases and mechanical enthesopathies and the sexual inegality in the distribution of the macrotraumatic lesions reveals some information about the activities of the ancient Hungarians.
Abstract: A new research way of palaeopathology has recently opened: it concerns the study of the impact of the human activities on the skeleton and the reconstitution of these activities. Being interested essentially in the activity-induced skeletal markers, we carried out this study on 354 human skeletal remains. The Hungarian series represents a larger sample (263 skeletons from the 10th century; collections of the Department of Anthropology, Jozsef Attila University, Szeged, Hungary). We considered also as comparison series a collection of 91 skeletons dating from the Late Antiquity (4th century A.D.) from Provence (France), stored in the collections of the Centre Archeologique du Var (Toulon, France). The present work is based on the results of a general palaeopathological analysis with a particular attention to the possible activity-linked microtraumatic lesions.
38 citations
TL;DR: The preservation or change of the population structure is often strictly related to the acquisition or loss of behavioural models: the choice of the wedding period is among them as mentioned in this paper. But this is not always the case.
Abstract: The preservation or the change of the population structure is often strictly related to the acquisition or loss of behavioural models: the choice of the wedding period is among them.
18 citations
TL;DR: The whole Mapuche Indian community of Blancura Centro is characterized as a young group, with high fertility, but moderate mortality and endogamy, and the presence of variation at the ABO and Lutheran loci suggests some non-Indian admixture.
Abstract: The whole Mapuche Indian community of Blancura Centro was covered by a demographic census, with special attention given to variables of genetic interest. Afterwards a sample of it was investigated in relation to 22 genetic systems. The community can be characterized as a young group, with high fertility, but moderate mortality and endogamy. The index of opportunity for selection is relatively low (0.46). The presence of variation at the ABO and Lutheran loci suggests some non-Indian admixture, calculated as 7% in the sample studied. Unusual findings were the absence of L*NS, low frequency (7%) of L*MS and high frequency (37%) of L*Ns. They also showed low frequencies of P*1 (28%) and DI*a (3%), but high of HP*1 (74%). Similarities, but also differences, were noted with previous results obtained in this tribe in Argentina and Chile.
14 citations
TL;DR: Anthropometric characteristics of proportionality, body composition and somatotype have been determined in a group of 72 Spanish judoists as discussed by the authors, including junior male and female National Team, and seniors competitors in the last Olimpic Games held in 1992, and participants in the National Championship of 1993.
Abstract: Anthropometric characteristics of proportionality, body composition and somatotype have been determined in a group of 72 Spanish judoists. The sample includes the junior male and female National Team, and seniors competitors in the last Olimpic Games held in 1992, and participants in the National Championship of 1993. The methodology has been used according to Weiner and Lourie(1981)and MOGAP procedures described by Borms et al. (1979). The obtained results show a similar proportionality profile and mesoendomorphic mean somatotype in both male and female series. However, were found significant differences between sexes as well as depending of weight categories.
9 citations
TL;DR: The asystemic view of the migratory process in the general sense according to the mechanisms and dynamic behavior that generate it is put forward and an application of this approach is described.
Abstract: Migration is a complex phenomenon, the dynamics of which demand a systems analysis which goes beyond demographic, economic and spatial considerations to include the facts of individual behaviour and factors in decision-making, and at the same time takes into account how these change with time and affect each other. The first part of this article puts forward asystemic view of the migratory process in the general sense according to the mechanisms and dynamic behavior that generate it. The second part describes an application of this approach: systems analysis thus results in the development not only of an analytical model but also a management model. The material for this part concerns inter-regional migratory movement in Senegal over the period 1960–1980.
8 citations
TL;DR: The aim of this introductory chapter is to recall the importance and the limits of the genetic definition, by presenting the cases of three Latin American countries either at the national or at the local level.
Abstract: This first part of the volume deals with the composition of the populations by presenting the cases of three Latin American countries either at the national or at the local level. As it is well illustrated by these examples, the concept of population has several meanings. The aim of this introductory chapter is to recall the importance and the limits of the genetic definition. A Mendelian population, defined as a group of individuals who reproduce sexually or are potentially capable of doing so, focuses on the evolutionary dimension and differs therefore fundamentally from other disciplines like general ecology or demography. Nevertheless, it is but a theoretical notion. In reality, a biological population has moving and permeable boundaries which are intimately linked with cultural and social factors. That is to say that the study of human populations widely exceeds the scope of biology alone and the definition of population is by essence multiple.
4 citations
TL;DR: Genetic influences on body and craniofacial morphology have been studied on a sample of 251 fathers and 251 mothers and their 502 children over 15 years in 251 urban Bulgarian families, indicating considerable environmental influences.
Abstract: Genetic influences on body and craniofacial morphology have been studied on a sample of 251 fathers and 251 mothers and their 502 children over 15 years in 251 urban Bulgarian families. Midparent-offspring correlation coefficients are consistently higher than those from single parent-offspring. However, these values are lower than those expected under exclusive polygenic model, indicating considerable environmental influences. Dominance could be present for 3 body traits and for 2 cranio-facial traits. The hypothesis of higher maternal influence could be proposed for biacromial diameter and of higher paternal influence for head height, nose height and for ear height and breadth. The pattern of the different parent-offspring correlations (father-daugther, fatherson, mother-daughter, mother-son) is not compatible with a hypothesis of X-linkage heredity.
4 citations
TL;DR: Two methods, a visual method based on the appearance of the auricular surface of the ilium and a metric methodbased on two dental criteria, were used in conjunction for estimation of skeletal age at death in paleodemographic study of an ancient cemetery, and were found to be coherent.
Abstract: Two methods, a visual method based on the appearance of the auricular surface of the ilium and a metric method based on two dental criteria, were used in conjunction for estimation of skeletal age at death in paleodemographic study of an ancient cemetery, and were found to be coherent. However, the paleodemographic profiles differed according to sex, indicating a sexual difference in the evolution of the sacroiliac joint.
4 citations
TL;DR: The results of the 13th ICAES Symposium on the cultural and biological dimensions of global change as discussed by the authors have been published in a volume entitled "The Cultural and Biological dimensions of Global Change: A Symposium of Demography and Anthropology".
Abstract: this first paper introduces the topic of the volume, outcomes of a symposium organised at the 13th ICAES held in Mexico in August 1993. It briefly reminds of the convergence between anthropology and demography up to date and stresses on the need of real transdisciplinary work in this challenging domain. The aim of the symposium was to make a contribution on the central theme chosen by the congress — the cultural and biological dimensions of global change — while examining the place of demographic anthropology in the study of change. The papers presented at the symposium have been organised in three parts which form the present volume: the composition of population, the choice of spouse and mobility, the reproduction and dynamics of populations. The basic mechanisms of change are considered through examples at the level of local populations. This also leads to question the definitions of human groups and to make a “declaration” stressing on the importance of individual heterogeneity and the arbitrariness and reductive nature of any grouping of individuals, stating therefore the misapprehension of the most recent scientific work inherent to the rationale of programs of “ethnic cleasing”.
4 citations
TL;DR: The actual situation of maternal mortality in relation with the obstetric coverage, the female literacy level and some other socio-economic variables is presented and in connection with the Gross National Product (G.N.R.P.) is presented as an indicator of governmental interest in the specific female problems of giving-life.
Abstract: For millenaria, maternal mortality has been considered as a fatality inherent to women's condition. Thanks to the progress of the obstetric technology, the world M.M.R. fell from 2.000 to 400 per 100.000 births during the past 150 years. At the same time women's condition improved chiefly because of a better level of education.
3 citations
TL;DR: The population reproduction is considered in terms of numerical replacement, that is to say the meaning which demography usually gives to it, and the factors of the renewal of the group are focused on.
Abstract: By discussing the concept of population reproduction from the points of view of different disciplines, we propose here a reflection on the foundation of population studies, i.e. the definition of the population studied and the mechanisms of its dynamics. Our considerations are based on the example of the Bagnes valley in the 19th century, putting it into perspective with data we have gathered in two other traditional populations. In the first part of the paper, we explore the different types of constraints and facilitators which act on the effective descent of individuals. The population reproduction is thus considered in terms of numerical replacement, that is to say the meaning which demography usually gives to it. The second part focuses on the factors of the renewal of the group, signification attributed to population reproduction in evolutionary sciences. The definition of the boundaries of the population and their tendencies become central, as well as the criteria following which individuals belong to the group.
TL;DR: In this article, the Guedmiwa Berber population living in the Azegour Valley, at an altitude of 2000m on the northern slopes of the western range of the Haut-Atlas mountains, was studied.
Abstract: This study concerns the Guedmiwa Berber population living in the Azegour Valley, at an altitude of 2000m on the northern slopes of the western range of the Haut-Atlas mountains. The reproductive behaviour of 506 Guedmiwa Berber families shows a rather elevated fertility which seems influenced at the same time by the socio-familial organisation and by the economic resources at the disposition of the family.
TL;DR: Uruguay is usually considered an immigrants' country that, unlike other South American countries, has no native population and only a slight African contribution as discussed by the authors, and the perception of its identity frequently refers to this characteristic: there are no regional differences and population variability is minimal.
Abstract: Uruguay is usually considered an immigrants' country that, unlike other South American countries, has no native population and only a slight African contribution. The perception of its identity frequently refers to this characteristic: there are no regional differences and population variability is minimal.
TL;DR: The analysis of 2.623 marriage certificates in the towns in the High Aran Valley shows marriage mobility between the years 1650 and 1990 and indicates the level of population's endogamy.
Abstract: The analysis of 2.623 marriage certificates in the towns in the High Aran Valley shows marriage mobility between the years 1650 and 1990 and indicates the level of population's endogamy. The results from the data collected in the town of Arties are presented as an example. The distribution of the places of origin of spouses and a factor analysis show a remarkable geographical endogamy until 1940. The results from marriage mobility are confirmed by data from blood polymorphism studies, matrimonial dispensations and surnames.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors tried to provide an answer to the question concerning reasons for introducing a second wife while the first wife is still alive, and they concluded that the first and basic consideration is the desire for children or the desire to have male children.
Abstract: On the basis of the corpus of 2.727 answers to the questions contained in the archives of the Ethnological Atlas, Department of Ethnology, University of Zagreb, the author has tried to provide an answer to the question concerning reasons for introducing a second wife while the first wife is still alive. Attentive comparative analysis of the entire material (analized according to religion) leads to the incontestable conclusion that the first and basic consideration is the desire for children or the desire for male children. This makes the position of the infertile women tragic. The basic life credo of patriarchal societies is the production of children. Often a woman can establish her position in society only after she has borne a male child when she may have a place in the husband's family on the basis of blood ties. The author comes to the conclusion that in this respect, even among the Muslims, where more than one wife was allowed, it is less a matter of a second wife, or bigamy, in the true sense but of introducing a new wife as a matrimonial aid primarily in cases of a childless marriage.
TL;DR: An exhaustive analysis of registers of births, deaths, and marriages is used to reconstitute genealogies, both ascending and descending, for all individuals who lived in two mountain valleys: the Valserine valley (in the French Jura) which is studied from the end of the seventeenth century to the present, and the Vallouise valley in the French Alps.
Abstract: An exhaustive analysis of registers of births, deaths, and marriages is used to reconstitute genealogies, both ascending and descending, for all individuals who lived in two mountain valleys: the Valserine valley (in the French Jura), which is studied from the end of the seventeenth century to the present, and the Vallouise valley (in the French Alps) studied from the seventeenth to the nieteenth centuries.
TL;DR: A tendency to accept a more convex profile as normal, as apparent from the review of the contemporary orthodontic literature, may suggest the desirability for a revision of the accepted strict norms for a harmonious dentofacial pattern.
Abstract: The population of immigrant communities is often composed of various ethnic groups who may differ in their dentofacial pattern. The objective of this study was to define the dentofacial pattern of Jewish adolescents of Kurdish origin, and to compare it with another ethnic group and with accepted cephalometric norms. Lateral cephalograms of 20 individuals of both sexes, aged 11–13 years, with normal occlusion in the early permanent dentition, were chosen from the Jerusalem Growth Study material. The cephalograms were traced twice and were processed by means of a computer aided cephalometric program. Downs' as well as some other common cephalometric measurements were used for the analyses. Several comparisons were made: a) with an Ashkenazi (East-European Jewish) group; b) with the findings on non-Jewish Iranian youths of similar geographic background as our Kurdish group; c) with classical cephalometric standards. Close similarity was found with the Ashkenazi group and almost identical pattern of the non-Jewish Iranian youths of similar geographic background. The comparison with the classical cephalometric standards indicated a higher FMA, a more convex profile, accompanied by a mild skeletal Class II tendency and mandibular incisor proclination in our sample. Therefore it stands to reason that the classical North American cephalometric standards for its white population are not applicable in their totality for the clinical evaluation of the two Jewish ethnic groups examined. Thus establishment of specific norms for specific groups within a heterogeneous community is indicated. In addition, a tendency to accept a more convex profile as normal, as apparent from the review of the contemporary orthodontic literature, may suggest the desirability for a revision of the accepted strict norms for a harmonious dentofacial pattern.
TL;DR: The incidence of spina bifida in the Community of Madrid (Spain) has been assessed during an eleven-year period, since 1970 to 1980: 0.37 per 1,000 newborns over a total of 272,332 newborns of simple births.
Abstract: The incidence of spina bifida in the Community of Madrid (Spain) has been assessed during an eleven-year period, since 1970 to 1980: 0.37 per 1,000 newborns over a total of 272,332 newborns, dead and alive, of simple births. The sex ratio at birth was 94. Maternal variables have been studied (maternal age, menarche, parity, etc.), obstetric variables (number of abortions, medication during pregnancy, etc.) and also neonatal variables (weight, gestational age, state at birth, etc.). Seasonal variations were observed.
TL;DR: In this paper, the Dogon population of Boni lives in the south-Sahelian bush of Mali, on several abrupt mountains, and it forms a community within which each of its members finds a spouse.
Abstract: The Dogon population of Boni lives in the south-Sahelian bush of Mali, on several abrupt mountains. It forms a community within which each of its members finds a spouse. This criterion of membership is based on a concept of population taken in the “genetic sense”. This population is small (5000 persons approximately) and it forms a genetic isolate. Matrimonial exchanges are very important in the process of evolution of populations thus it can be useful to construct explanatory models. Different analysis levels allow to better describe a phenomenon resulting from a complex system of interdependent factors.
-the global analysis is quantitative and shows the high endogamic level observed within each village and each mountain,
-the qualitative analysis, motivated by a genetic study associated to criteria of choice of the spouse.
-an anthropological analysis will be presented as a third possible level in the matrimonial market analysis. It consists of investigating alliance cycles based on the study of brother-sister pairs and implying three marriages. The high frequency of the type of cycle raises questions and incites to researching a coherent interpretation.
TL;DR: The economic activity of the inhabitants of the commune of Fontanigorda (Genova, Italy) was based on subsistence farming and temporary migration until World War II as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Until World War II the economic activity of the inhabitants of the commune of Fontanigorda (Genova — Italy) was based on subsistence farming and temporary migration. Migration to France in search of work absorbed the excess active male population: the isonymy study shows that the migrants were recruited from all the families of the commune.
TL;DR: The creation of a general model of marriage is quite complex as it must include factors that change in time and space between and inside societies as mentioned in this paper, but it can not be limited to this factor alone, because the union between two individuals and two families is also the necessary preamble to biological reproduction and population genetic pool evolution.
Abstract: Marriage comprises both individual lives and population evolution. Anthropology shows that marriage, within cultural rules, is based on parameters of different natures such as psychology or economy with implications that concern also the genetic level. The creation of a general model of marriage is quite complex as it must include factors that change in time and space between and inside societies. The marriage as a factor of social mobility is of great interest, but it can not be limited to this factor alone, because the union between two individuals and two families is also the necessary preamble to biological reproduction and population genetic pool evolution.
TL;DR: This paper aims to show the pertinence of taking the family as the unit of analysis in terms of population reproduction, by examining the different stages through which the family goes along its life cycle.
Abstract: Human populations are characterized by their heterogeneity, as much cultural as biological. This is why they can but the considered as complex entities. On the one side, this means going beyond the typological approach of traditional physical anthropology and thinking in terms of evolutionary processes, that is to say, population reproduction. On the other side, this implies developing an integrated view which takes into account as much cultural processes as demographic, socio-economic or biological ones. This paper aims to show, in this regard, the pertinence of taking the family as the unit of analysis. Yet, it is not enough to consider family structure, i.e. the composition of the domestic group, but one needs to understand the kinship system on which it is based and its dynamics. This is done by examining the different stages through which the family goes along its life cycle. We close these theoretical considerations by briefly illustrating them with our data on fertility and household composition in two different populations from the Altos de Chiapas in Mexico.
TL;DR: A review of the content of the volume can be found in this paper, where the authors show how the wealth of demographic data has not been adequately exploited in anthropology; this is why this publication is valuable in showing attempts to apply demographic data in various anthropological problems.
Abstract: As a conclusion, this paper reviews briefly the content of the volume. The wealth of demographic data has not been adequately exploited in anthropology; this is why this publication is valuable in showing attempts to apply demographic data in a variety of anthropological problems. This symposium has explored many interesting points which we recall here. Yet it has also opened up a whole range of further questions on the material presented as well as in this broad field. Several directions of research could be developed, for instance, testing among human populations, over long periods, the ecological thoughts of ecosystems evolving as a cascade of instabilities, rather than a succession of equilibrium states. Let us also recall the pervasive nature of demographic facts in topics such as the energy cycle or the genetic structure and evolution of human populations.
TL;DR: Using a PCR based method, hypervariable markers of the Thyroid Peroxidase gene (TPO-VNTR markers) are determined by size classification of alleles in a total of 146 blood samples and certain allelic frequencies are able to distinguish between groups.
Abstract: Using a PCR based method, we determined hypervariable markers of the Thyroid Peroxidase gene (TPO-VNTR markers) by size classification of alleles in a total of 146 blood samples (76 from Sicily and 70 from Lombardy, South and North Italy respectively). A total of 22 alleles were identified. They varied in size from 6 (0.4 Kbp) to 27 (1.5 Kbp) repeats and showed a unimodal distribution (peak at 15 repeat number). Data were compared with those previously obtained in two other Italian samples from Calabria (South Italy) and from Sardinia. Heterogeneity G tests on allele frequency distributions led to the following conclusions: 1) as observerd for the majority of the known polymorphisms, the Sardinian sample is clearly distinguishable from all the others; 2) although on the whole no significant heterogeneity emerges from the comparison between southern and northern Italians, certain allelic frequencies are able to distinguish between groups.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors consider the spatial and social dynamics of the Akwen Xerente population and demonstrate the necessity of relying on both demographic and anthropological information, and show that these different dimensions can only be understood when considering together a group of villages: in this case, the village is not a functional unit.
Abstract: In this paper, the author considers the spatial and social dynamics of the Akwen Xerente population and demonstrates the necessity of relying on both demographic and anthropological information. This population is characterised by a complex combination of distinct processes which at the same time maintain the ethnic identity and redistribute individuals among villages. Individuals moves in different villages following a rule of uxorilocal residence and as the result of the formation of new villages after conflicts between political factions, whereas the social belonging of the individual is organised by exogamous moieties and patrilineal clans. This work shows that these different dimensions of the organisation of the Xerente society can only be understood when considering together a group of villages: in this case, the village is not a functional unit.
TL;DR: The third part of the volume as discussed by the authors presents five contributions illustrating the different levels at which reproduction can be considered-the individual, the family, the community, the population-but also their necessary interactions.
Abstract: This short text presents the third part of the volume. The five contributions illustrate the different levels at which reproduction can be considered-the individual, the family, the community, the population-but also their necessary interactions. The individual behaviour cannot but be understood in the context of his(her) family and community; the population dynamics is but the result of the family life cycle and the processes which took place within the community. The problem is therefore to choose the entity pertinent to each inquiry. Multilevel analysis make obvious the complexity of the notion of reproduction and of population dynamics.