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Showing papers in "International Journal of Anthropology in 2002"


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed the diffusion and intensity of the plague in the territory of the Duchy of Parma in the 17th century and found that it spread rapidly in the region.
Abstract: This study analyses the diffusion and intensity of the plague in the territory of the Duchy of Parma in the 17th century.

15 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a questionnaire and body height measurements were conducted in February and March of the year 2000 by 105 males and 298 females of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of University of Wroclaw of 19-28 years of age were examined.
Abstract: Students (105 males and 298 females) of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of University of Wroclaw of 19–28 years of age were examined. The questionnaire and body height measurements were conducted in February and March of the year 2000. The measured as well as self — reported body height were analyzed depending on socio — economic variables such as the students' parents' education, the students' place of residence and their families' financial status, until the students' 14 year of age. The analysis of the mean self — reported and measured body height values demonstrated insignificant differences for men and the significant ones for women. Tall women declare greater than actual body height and only tall men appeared to be insignificantly taller than their questionnaire answers suggested. The analysis of the mean differences with regard to the size and kind of the place of residence didn't show significant differences. Similarly, neither the educational level nor the financial status constitute a differentiating factor with regard to the analyzed characteristics.

13 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is pointed out that the ancient jaws present a high proportion of ante-mortem tooth loss, attrition and deep caries, whereas the frequency of periodontitis does not seem to differ from that of other prehistoric samples.
Abstract: This study investigates the incidence of periodontitis in a Mycenaean population unearthed at the cemetery of Aghia Triada (West Peloponnese, Greece) during the 1989–1997 field season. The material consists of 172 dry skulls. Demographic parameters of sex and age were difficult to be assigned due to the bad state of preservation of the skeletal material. The ratio was 50 males, 48 females, 65 unidentified and 9 children, and we estimated an average age of 38 years. In this work we used traditional and modern methods to determine the incidence of periodontitis in the archeological human dental bone. We also recorded other dental diseases, such as ante mortem tooth loss, caries and attrition. The results showed that periodontitis has affected 35% of the jaws. A notable percentage of the individuals — 24% — lost three or more teeth during their lifetime and a total 53% of the population had extracted teeth before death. This paper points out that the ancient jaws present a high proportion of ante-mortem tooth loss, attrition and deep caries, whereas the frequency of periodontitis does not seem to differ from that of other prehistoric samples.

7 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: DNA was extrated from 63 skeletal samples recovered at the Neolithic site of San Juan ante Portam Latinam (SJAPL) and shows that restriction analysis is a useful methodological tool to perform reliable population genetic analysis on archaeological remains.
Abstract: In the present work, DNA was extrated from 63 skeletal samples recovered at the Neolithic site of San Juan ante Portam Latinam (SJAPL) (Araba, Basque Country). These samples have proved useful as genetic material for the performance of population studies. To achieve this it was necessary to overcome the methodological problems arising when working with damaged DNA molecules. We succeeded in performing an amplification and restriction analysis of the polymorphisms present in the mtDNA. Ninety seven percent of the samples were classified as belonging to one of the nine mtDNA haplogroups described in Caucasians. This work shows that restriction analysis is a useful methodological tool to perform reliable population genetic analysis on archaeological remains. Tha analysis of ancient and modern haplogroup distribution can shed more light on the genetic evolution of human populations. Moreover, a more exhaustive data on prehistoric populations will allow to build stronger hypothesis on the genetic relationships among human populations.

6 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that a single HPLC chromatogram is indicative of the integrity of ancient bone proteins, and proposed that protein analysis should be systematically performed in studies where there are many samples in order to select the specimens that are most likely to contain retrievable ancient DNA.
Abstract: The ability to retrieve DNA from ancient specimens has been one of the greatest achievements of the past decade, and has opened a totally new field of research with applications in seemingly distant domains such as archeobotany, the molecular phylogeny of extinct genomes, human paleopathology and the genetic of ancient human populations. However, extraction of ancient DNA has often a very low rate of success, prompting researchers to develop screening methods for the selection of promising specimens. With this goal in mind, we studied the amino acid content of nine human bones of ancient origin. We demonstrate that a single HPLC chromatogram is indicative of the integrity of ancient bone proteins. Among five specimens containing amplifiable DNA, four exhibited a protein content similar to that of contemporary bone protein content. Three of the four specimens, from which we were unable to extract any amplifiable DNA, had an amino acid content strikingly different from that of contem-porary bone. A non-parametric statistical test, Kendall's tau, was used to show that protein content and PCR products, are probably correlated (at a 95% confidence level). In addition, the D/L Asp and D/L Glu racemization ratios obtained are indicative of the presence of ancient organic compounds. We propose that protein analysis should be systematically performed in studies where there are many samples in order to select the specimens that are most likely to contain retrievable ancient DNA.

4 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In order to estimate the individual growth patterns and changes in growth rate as well as differences in growth of boys and girls, one must observe the process of growth of the same children and over a period of many years (longitudinal study).
Abstract: Physical growth and development of children, determined by endogenous factors (genetic and paragenetic) is modified by numerous exogenic ones. This affects differentiation of ways of growth in individual children. In order to estimate the individual growth patterns and changes in growth rate as well as differences in growth of boys and girls, one must observe the process of growth of the same children and over a period of many years (longitudinal study). Such longitudinal study is the only way to provide information about the variability of growth and growth velocity at each age.

3 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The high percentage of SC and SS individuals detected with the present screening, compared with the lower percentages found by Labie et al in 1984, suggest that a modified environment can play an important role in reducing the morbility and lethality of β S genotype.
Abstract: Objective: To study the incidence of hemoglobinopathies (Hb C and Hb S) we have examined 15,367 students, aged 11.4+/-4.64 years (median 11; range 1–26), living in Burkina Faso (12,019 were students of 23 public schools of Ouagadougou and 3348 students of 7 public schools situated in six villages about 12–35 Km from Ouagadougou). Results: In all schools, we found a prevalence of females (54.2%) over males (45.8%) with a high incidence of Hb AC (19.16%), over Hb AS (8.35%). As expected, the gene frequency of β C in the schools of Ouagadougou was 0.112+/-0.015 and of β S 0.049+/-0.012, and this was similar in village schools (0.128+/-0.010 and 0.049+/-0.09 respectively), irrespective of town latitude. In all groups studied, β S and β C gene frequencies were age dependent since the advantage of HbS carriers in a malarial region is prevalently expressed in the first years of life. In fact, β C gene frequency increases, and β S decreases with age. The Mossi, living mainly in Ouagadougou, show a gene frequency which is similar to the Bissa ethnic groups, where the β C gene frequencies (0.116 and 0.118) are higher than the β S (0.049 and 0.044 respectively). On the contrary in the Peuhl ethnic group β C and β S gene frequencies (0.049 and 0.049) are the same, while in the Yorouba ethnic group immigrated from Nigeria β S gene frequency is higher (0.117) than the β C (0.068), showing that different gene frequencies are found in different ethnic groups. Conclusion: The difference in β S and β C genes frequencies (0.049 and 0.116) found in comparison with a previously performed study (Labie et al, 1984) in the same region (0.03 for the β S gene and 0.14 for the β C gene), may be due to migration flow of β S genes from the near Sahel region or to changes in life expectancy of children with β C and β S phenotypes. Moreover, the high percentage of SC (1,06%) and SS (0.188%) individuals detected with the present screening, compared with the lower percentages found by Labie et al in 1984, suggest that a modified environment can play an important role in reducing the morbility and lethality of β S genotype. However, even today the number of students affected by HbSC and Hb SS attending the schools remains low. Stricter controls of correlated diseases are necessary to guarantee healthier life conditions.

3 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The results confirm the findings of previous investigations of blood lead levels in children from Sardinian villages with different environmental risks of lead pollution: the children of Portoscuso present higherBlood lead levels than other groups of Sardinian children.
Abstract: This study reports blood lead levels measured in 1998 in children from three Sardinian villages: Portoscuso, Sant'Antioco, and Sestu. Portoscuso is located about 2 km from one of the most important industrial complexes in Sardinia. Sant'Antioco, together with the villages of Carbonia, Gonnesa, Portoscuso and San Giovanni Suergiu, is in the Sulcis-Iglesiente zone, defined as an “area of high risk of environmental crisis” on the basis of the Decree of the Italian Council of Ministers dated November 30, 1990. Sestu, a semi-urban centre about 10 km from Cagliari (the island's capital), can be considered not exposed to lead pollution. Blood lead concentration was determined in heparinized venous blood samples by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Comparing the mean blood lead levels for the boys of Portoscuso measured in 1993 (9.27 μg/dl) and 1998 (11.30 μg/dl), we found an increase of 21.90%, whereas the mean values for the girls are practically identical in 1993 (7.35 μg/dl) and 1998 (7.39 μg/dl). In contrast, in the boys and girls of Sestu, the mean blood lead levels decrease from 1993 to 1998 by 55.62% and 29.09% respectively (from 6.71 μg/dl to 4.09 μg/dl in the boys; from 4.71 μg/dl to 3.34 μg/dl in the girls). In the Sant'Antioco children, we found a 52.65% decrease from 1987 (8.30 μg/dl reported for a sample not subdivided by sex)) to 1998 (3.93 μg/dl for males and females combined). Our results confirm the findings of previous investigations of blood lead levels in children from Sardinian villages with different environmental risks of lead pollution: the children of Portoscuso present higher blood lead levels than other groups of Sardinian children.

2 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, an attempt has been made to compare and contrast the living condition of two social groups (Hindus and Muslims) inhabiting a squatter settlement in Calcutta, India.
Abstract: Squatter dwellers are found in almost all the Third World countries. Poor living conditions are the characteristic features of all the squatter settlements. Again, poor living conditions are also associated with the health condition of the squatter dwellers. In the present study an attempt has been made to compare and contrast the living condition of two social groups (Hindu and Muslim) inhabiting a squatter settlement in Calcutta, India. The results show that the overall living condition of the Muslim is worse than that of the Hindu. The morbidity pattern is also worse in the Muslim than in the Hindu.

2 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The alpha factor is expressed through display behaviors that vary with culture, but all cultures, including those of chimpanzees and bonobos, build around it as discussed by the authors, and it is a visible focal point of a society, thereby making display a necessary part of leadership.
Abstract: “Alpha behavior” affected human politics and social organization during the sixteenth-century conquest of Mexico by Spanish imperialists. The behavior of Spanish conquistadores is compared to that of other primates in the well-known studies of Jane Goodall and Frans de Waal. Parallels between Spanish and Aztec behavior are also noted so as to identify the shared patterns of behavior that cross human cultures and may be called primate universals. One of these universals is the alpha factor. It administers the social order through the ability to balance benevolence and brutality in order to maintain coalitions and the loyalty of subordinates. The alpha factor is expressed through display behaviors that vary with culture, but all cultures, including those of chimpanzees and bonobos, build around it. It may be tempered by the presence of female coalitions or of a bonobo alpha female, but it is a visible focal point of a society, thereby making display a necessary part of leadership.

2 citations


Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a Bayesian hierarchy approach is proposed to model the variability of the sub-composition vectors around a common mean with possibly different scales, which can be seen as the relative composition of the aggregated population.
Abstract: Sample data from a number of sub-populations are often investigated in order to integrate the findings of different research studies on a particular area. In case of compositional samples, like the allele frequencies collected at a single locus in different surveys, the data are independent multinomial vectors. Each multinomial distribution depends on a specific probability vector, that is, the unknown relative composition of the sub-population. A Bayesian hierarchy approach is proposed here to model the variability of the sub-composition vectors around a common mean with possibly different scales. The common mean can be seen as the relative composition of the aggregated population. Scale parameters are well known in Biology as the Wright's inbreeding coefficients. The method presented here extends some previous work by assuming less prior knowledge on the subject and constraints on the model. A relatively simple Monte Carlo algorithm is described to perform joint inferences on general and local compositions and inbreeding coefficients. The method is applied on two case studies. The first one is based on DNA samples from ten Italian regions at the loci TH01 and FES, obtained from a database currently used for forensic identification, in which inbreeding assessments can be crucial. The second application is based on a set of colour-blind sample rates in North-East Indian populations collected by Choudhury (1994). The Author found some controversial results from the classical test for comparing proportions. A clearer picture, instead, is obtained by the current Bayesian approach.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: One Y-specific DNA polymorphism (p49/Taql) was studied in a sample of 469 African males coming from twelve populations of sub-Saharan Africa, with an high frequency of the Y-haplotype IV observed in these populations.
Abstract: One Y-specific DNA polymorphism (p49/Taql) was studied in a sample of 469 African males coming from twelve populations of sub-Saharan Africa. An high frequency (62.5%) of the Y-haplotype IV was observed in these populations, the most elevated percentage of this haplotype being observed in Mossis (from Burkina-Fasso). The “Arabic” haplotype V is present in these populations at a mean frequency of 8.7%. The “oriental” haplotype XI is present at a mean frequency of 11.3%, the most elevated percentage of this haplotype being observed in Songhaiis (from Niger).

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A new model may resolve the problem of when and where did appear anatomically modern humans and Neanderthals and suggest that most of pre-Homo sapiens populations may be extinct without replacement by Homo sapiens.
Abstract: A new model may resolve the problem of when and where did appear anatomically modern humans. According to this model, Neanderthals were probably neither our ancestor nor different species.Homo sapiens appeared probably in the Middle East, approximately 150 ka ago and differentiated to anatomically modern humans and Neanderthals because of the genetic programme. The fossils older than 150 ka are probably not Neanderthal such as Zuttiyeh and Biache-Saint-Vaast specimens. Cultural capacities of Neanderthals were probably equivalent to Moderns. Most of pre-Homo sapiens populations may be extinct without replacement byHomo sapiens. Language and modern behaviour should have arisen with our own species.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: It is estimated that in this population of rural districts of the Province of Chubut, in South Patagonia, there would be selected phenotypes adapted to adverse conditions.
Abstract: This investigation is aimed at recording the conditions of life and of reproduction of the population of the rural districts of the Province of Chubut, in South Patagonia. These districts, where in 1991 more than 50% of the population lived in towns of less than 2000 inhabitants, have an important indigenous component of the Tehuelche and Mapuche ethnic groups, with particular behaviour affecting growth and development variables, patterns of food consumption, morbi-mortality, etc. in socio-economic and ecological context of considerable adversity. The climate is by low precipitation, less than 120 to 180 mm, producing an arid steppe environment. The annual average temperature is between 7°C and 9°C. The summers are short and temperate, in contrast to very cold and long winters with frequent snowstorms. The temperature normally reaches extremes that go from −10° to −33°C in winter. Seven anthropometric variables were measured on 678 children from 4 to 14 years of age to test for altered patterns of growth. Compared with another Argentinean population it was found that there were differences in standing and sitting height, significant in some groups of edge greater for national standards. Head circumference, weight, triceps and subescapular skinfolds showed the opposite relationship. We estimate that in this population there would be selected phenotypes adapted to adverse conditions.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, a study aimed at grasping eventual relations between the grandparents' life length and the number of their siblings and children was carried out in Wroclaw higher education institutions (1023 men and 1777 women) from 18 to 26 years of age.
Abstract: The work aimed at grasping eventual relations between the grandparents' life length and the number of their siblings and children. A poll of 2800 students of Wroclaw higher education institutions (1023 men and 1777 women) from 18 to 26 years of age was conducted. Information concerning the number of siblings and children of the examined students' grandparents, and in case of the dead—their age at the moment of death, were used. The material was divided into two categories (using death—rate tables and death age median: short living (SL) and long living (LL). The examined relations were analyzed separately for mothers' mothers (MM), fathers' mothers (FM), mothers' fathers (MF) and fathers' fathers (FF) of the students combined these groups were also analysed. Number of siblings in the families of grandparents of the same categories of longevity generally doesn't differ significantly for each group of grandparents. Short living grandparents have significantly fewer siblings than the long living ones. Number of children, similarly as the number of siblings, is also higher in case of long living individuals. The described relation shall probably be sought in the so—called protective role of the family.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the authors study how the cultures considered as a system of values, beliefs, patterns of behaviour and ways of life, fixed in material structures influence conscious and unconscious decisions leading to a reproductive behavior.
Abstract: The goal of this study is to widen and deepen certain aspects related to the reproductive health of rural Native American women of Mapuche and Tehuelche origin, and its relationship with their social and cultural environment. Along these lines, we study how the cultures considered as a system of values, beliefs, patterns of behaviour and ways of life, fixed in material structures influence conscious and unconscious decisions leading to a reproductive behaviour.

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: DNA was extracted from 63 skeletal samples recovered at the Neolithic site of San Juan ante Portam Latinam (SJAPL) and it was successful in performing an amplification and restriction analysis of the polymorphisms present in the mtDNA.
Abstract: In the present work, DNA was extracted from 63 skeletal samples recovered at the Neolithic site of San Juan ante Portam Latinam (SJAPL) (Araba, Basque Country). These samples have proved useful as genetic material for the performance of population studies. To achieve this it was necessary to overcome the methodological problems arising when working with damaged DNA molecules. We succeeded in performing an amplification and restriction analysis of the polymorphisms present in the mtDNA. Ninety seven percent of the samples were classified as belonging to one of the nine mtDNA haplogroups described in Caucasians. This work shows that restriction analysis is a useful methodological tool to perform reliable population genetic analysis on archaeological remains. Tha analysis of ancient and modern haplogroup distribution can shed more light on the genetic evolution of human populations. Moreover, a more exhaustive data on prehistoric populations will allow to build stronger hypothesis on the genetic relationships among human populations.