Physical Anthropology

This paper aims to provide the first comprehensive evaluation of Carl Gustav Carus's writings on race and human inequality. We demonstrate that Carus, an eminent nineteenth-century physician emblematic of romantic medicine, was deeply engrossed in racial science, exploring anatomical, anthropological, and craniological dimensions of race across no less than twenty-five works spanning three decades. Carus's engagement with race stemmed from naturphilosophisch anatomical and physiological considerations, which evolved into physiognomic and psychological inquiries. While previous research has construed Carus as a precursor of Arthur de Gobineau, we argue that he was intellectually much more closely aligned with the 'American School' of ethnology, represented by figures such as Samuel G. Morton, George R. Gliddon, and Josiah C. Nott. Closely monitoring international discourses of scientific racism, Carus sought to propagate these notions among German readers and position himself within international debates. The international reception, however, was limited by the Romantic framework of Carus's scientific racism, which was unintelligible to contemporaries. While sharing an implicit methodological bias with Morton and his followers, affirming white superiority and legitimising colonisation, the Romantic underpinning of his race treatises made it difficult for mid-nineteenth-century race theorists to fully endorse him. Nonetheless, Carus, often lauded as polymath with a humanistic orientation, besides his achievements, helped to create a theoretical basis for the othering and dehumanisation of large parts of the global population.

A B IOARCHAEOLOGICAL S TUDY OF G ROWTH , A GING , AND L IFESTYLE IN M EDIEVAL R URAL I TALY Stahl Field Report 2015 Archaeological Research Facility, UC Berkeley www.escholarship.org/uc/item/12h8b3zf Sabrina C. Agarwal 1 , Patrick Beauchesne 2 , Katherine Kinkopf 1 , Trent Trombley 1 Anthropology, UC Berkeley, 2 Anthropology, University of Michigan, Dearborn agarwal@berkeley.edu The Medieval Burials at Villamagna While there is good deal of historical and archaeological research on the later Medieval period in Europe, including Italy, bioarchaeological studies of Medieval Italy have focused primarily on high status individuals and particularly, the ravages of the Black Death. There has been little large scale study of the biological signatures of growth, aging, and activity patterns in Medieval Italian skeletal remains. The study of differential patterns of everyday experience (as examined by multiple indicators of metabolic stress indicators, levels of activity, disease prevalence,...

The shape variability of human lower limbs is one of the core topics in human evolutionary and locomotion anatomy, and it provides clues about human activities and labor in different subsistence. However, evaluations of knee morphological function analysis are commonly conducted on the distal femora and proximal tibiae, while patellae, as the essential components of the knee joint, have not been observed and evaluated with the morphological methods until the recent decade. From the anatomic perspective, dragged by soft tissues such as the quadriceps muscle group, patellar tendon, and medial and lateral patellar retinaculum,

D'octobre 2015 à septembre 2016, une enquête entomologique a été menée sur plusieurs espèces animales (chèvres, chiens, chats, lapins, hérissons et mangouste). Le but de cette enquête était d'identifier et d'établir une liste exhaustive des espèces de puces parasites dans six localités de la région d'El Tarf situées dans l'extrême nordest de l'Algérie. Pendant l'enquête, les spécimens de puces ont été collectés directement sur leurs hôtes. Ils ont ensuite été identifiés morphologiquement en utilisant les caractéristiques phénotypiques décrites dans une clé taxonomique spécifique. Plus de 1263 spécimens ont été collectés et identifiés ; parmi eux, quatre espèces : Ctenocephalides felis, Ctenocephalides canis, Pulex irritans et Archaeopsylla erinacei. Dans l'ensemble, cette étude représente le premier inventaire des espèces de puces dans la région d'El Tarf et met à jour les connaissances sur leur diversité en Algérie.

D'octobre 2015 à septembre 2016, une enquête entomologique a été menée sur plusieurs espèces animales (chèvres, chiens, chats, lapins, hérissons et mangouste). Le but de cette enquête était d'identifier et d'établir une liste exhaustive des espèces de puces parasites dans six localités de la région d'El Tarf situées dans l'extrême nordest de l'Algérie. Pendant l'enquête, les spécimens de puces ont été collectés directement sur leurs hôtes. Ils ont ensuite été identifiés morphologiquement en utilisant les caractéristiques phénotypiques décrites dans une clé taxonomique spécifique. Plus de 1263 spécimens ont été collectés et identifiés ; parmi eux, quatre espèces : Ctenocephalides felis, Ctenocephalides canis, Pulex irritans et Archaeopsylla erinacei. Dans l'ensemble, cette étude représente le premier inventaire des espèces de puces dans la région d'El Tarf et met à jour les connaissances sur leur diversité en Algérie.

Изучению носителей меотской культуры по данным антропологии посвящено крайне малое количество научных работ. До настоящего времени полностью отсутствовали данные по одонтологии меотов. Представленная работа направлена на изучение морфологии зубной системы носителей меотской культуры на материалах эталонного памятника-Старокорсунского городища № 2. Раскопки погребений, включенных в работу, проводились с 1980 по 2020 г. Краснодарской археологической экспедицией Кубанского государственного университета под руководством Н.Ю. Лимберис и И.И. Марченко. На основе суммарной выборки, включающей 66 индивидов, были сформированы две хронологические группы: до I в. до н.э. и после I в. до н.э. Такое деление обусловлено появлением сармат у границ территории расселения меотов. Для статистического анализа были привлечены 28 географически близких сравнительных серий эпохи бронзы и раннего железа. Для исследуемой меотской серии характерно преобладание признаков западного одонтологического ствола, в качестве яркой особенности можно отметить высокие частоты бугорка Карабелли. Сравнение ранней и поздней выборок по частотам основных одонтоскопических признаков указывает на возможную метисацию населения городища с пришлым населением. Значения средних таксономических расстояний (СТР) между меотами и сравнительными сериями раннего железного века свидетельствуют об изменении вектора межпопуляционного взаимодействия со временем, что связано с увеличением концентрации восточных фенов в поздней меотской выборке. По данным анализа соответствий изученная в работе меотская группа занимает промежуточное положение между сериями Южного Приаралья, Южного Урала и Поднепровья. На данном этапе исследования полученные результаты могут отражать процессы взаимодействия между представителями оседлого населения Прикубанья и кочевой культуры скифов и сарматов. Ключевые слова: одонтология, меоты, ранний железный век, античность, Северное Причерноморье.

Introduction: Adolescence period is a very important period in human life cycle, most of the physical and psychological changes occur in this period. During this time body composition changes markedly. In humans body composition varies depending on ethnicity, heredity, age, sex, environment and nutrition. This study focuses on examining the factors influencing nutritional status and body composition. Methods: This study was done among 516 boys belonging to the age of 10-17 years, chosen randomly. Data on monthly family income, community, anthropometric and body composition variables were taken using a pretested schedule. Statistical tests like t-Test, ANOVA and Regression analysis were performed using SPSS 16.0 v. Significance level was set up at the level p<0.05. Results: The mean values of every variable discussed, found to be highest in higher income category i.e. >7396.00 Rs. And lowest in lower income category i.e. <4634.99 Rs. PBF, FM and FMI are observed to increase with increasing income category. The mean values of PBF, FM, FMI and FFMI are higher in non-tribal participants, and FFM and BMI are found to have no significant difference between the two groups. There is significant effect of income on PBF, FM, FFM, FMI, FFMI and BMI. There is also significant effect of community on PBF, FFM, FFMI, BMI, except FM and FMI. It is also observed that if income can be controlled for the participants, over that community has impact on the body composition variables except FM and FMI. Conclusion: Many factors are influencing body composition with a combined effect. More such studies need to be done to compare the diverse pattern of body composition change among other ethnic populations across world.

Tous droits réservés © La revue Études/Inuit/Studies, Ce document est protégé par la loi sur le droit d'auteur. L'utilisation des services d'Érudit (y compris la reproduction) est assujettie à sa politique d'utilisation que vous pouvez consulter en ligne. https://apropos.erudit.org/fr/usagers/politique-dutilisation/ Cet article est diffusé et préservé par Érudit. Érudit est un consortium interuniversitaire sans but lucratif composé de

This paper presents some reflections on current debates and prospects concerning studies of the history of Inuit and Yupik-with a focus on North America 1. The word «ethnohistory» in the title would be too restrictive if I did not immediately add that, under this banner, I subsume many works which do not claim to be ethnohistorical (e.g. anthropological history, historical anthropology, historical ethnography, longitudinal ethnographies, life histories, etc.; for a discussion, see KRECH 1991). In this sense, the prefix «ethno» refers to the broad definition of ethnohistory as «(the study of) the history of the peoples normally studied by anthropologists» (STURTEVANT 1966: 6; other definitions, see KRECH 1991; 2002; CSONKA 2005a). To introduce the topic, the next few paragraphs are devoted to a brief review of the development and current status of Inuit and Yupik (ethno)history.

This study aims to analyse and compare the cranial morphological variations in three individuals, each exhibiting different severity levels of malformations. Materials: Three nearly complete and well-preserved skeletons of infants from the São Domingos children's necropolis in Lisbon, Portugal, dating from the 17th to early 19th centuries. Methods: Macroscopic and metric assessments were performed aimed at creating a detailed description of the skeletons. Results: The three infants exhibit an absence of the upper cranial vault, accompanied by several cranial bone alterations such as abnormal development and morphology of the occipital, sphenoid, temporal, and frontal bones. Additionally, two of the infants present maxillary and dental anomalies. Conclusions: The three infants from the São Domingos necropolis provide crucial insights into the presence of anencephaly in an historical population, representing an exceptionally rare archaeological find. The distinct cranial abnormalities strongly support the diagnosis and highlight varying severity levels of the condition. Significance: These examples enhance the recognition of anencephaly in archaeological contexts and deepen the understanding of its varied bone expressions. Examining skeletal variations within the same condition also complements the broader palaeopathological discussion of rare diseases. Limitations: The lack of soft tissue preservation reduces a comprehensive assessment of anencephaly in skeletal remains. The archaeological context presents challenges such as fragmentation. Additionally, determining postnatal survival is difficult due to the subtle or absent skeletal indicators that might suggest survival beyond birth. Suggestions for further research: Biomolecular genetics analysis could be a valuable approach for future research.

The Late Bronze Age I burial cave excavated northwest of Jerusalem is an uncommon discovery in the central hill country, contributing to our understanding of population distribution patterns during this period. Unlike the coastal areas, which feature numerous large Late Bronze Age cemeteries, the mountainous regions, characterized by large cemeteries from the Middle Bronze Age, present only sporadic burial caves in Late Bronze Age I, each containing several inhumations. This article presents the finds from one such cave, including a possible evidence based on a petrographic analysis of a previously unknown local workshop producing Cypriot Base Ring imitations.

The skeletal remains of two individuals were found in a pit grave at Rahat, in the Northern Negev desert, dated to the Ottoman period. They were identified as a primary burial of a female, 30-50 years old, superposed by a secondary burial of a child, 10-15 years old. Anthropological studies of skeletal remains dated to the Ottoman period in Israel/Palestine are numerous, yet the secluded location of this grave and the intentional secondary burial, which are foreign to Islamic burial traditions, called for special attention. This paper presents a comprehensive anthropological analysis of the skeletal remains, incorporating information on bioanthropology and burial practices. We consider that the child's bones were deliberately placed atop the articulated skeleton of the woman (possibly his or her mother), sometime after her death.

A concentration of burial caves dated to the Roman period was found and excavated at Ḥorbat Mitla, on the western slopes of Mount Carmel. Anthropological remains included poorly-preserved skeletal fragments that were studied on-site. At least 65 individuals were identified in 13 caves, including infants, children and adults of both sexes, typical of a regular, 'civilian' cemetery population.

The study was conducted to create specific formulae for stature estimation of adult male population in Malaysia based on measurements of femur, tibia and fibula lengths using radiographic method. A number of thirty two Malaysians from hospitals involved as ...

Documento presentado por el Comité Directivo de la RENECA para 2021 con la finalidad de entregar un parteaguas para la revisión del Plan de Trabajo 2021.

En el contexto de pandemia de COVID-19, las actividades digitales fueron clave para el mantenimiento de la organización de la Red Nacional de Estudiantes en Ciencias Antropológicas y la gestión de sus actividades.

Este documento se comparte también como un referente para la visión a futuro de la Red y sus alcances en medios digitales.

"Background: Risk factors of Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) are increasing among Indian tribes. However, this issue remains unexplored in migrants of Odisha’s Santal tribe, in Bhubaneswar city. Objective: To assess the prevalence of behavioural and selected metabolic risk factors of NCDs among Santal migrants aged 18 to 69 years in Bhubaneswar.
Methodology: A cross-sectional study involving 516 Santal migrants was conducted from September to Decem-ber 2022 using the WHO STEPS survey questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression analyses were performed using R statistical software.
Results: Prevalence of tobacco and alcohol use were 80% (95% CI: 76.3–83.3) and 81.8% (95% CI: 78.1–85.0), respectively with higher rates among males. Low physical activity was reported by 30.6% (95% CI: 26.7–34.8), commonly among females. 98.8% participants had inadequate fruit and vegetable intake. Hypertension was found in 40.3% (95% CI: 36.1–44.7), abdominal obesity in 33.5% and obesity in 28.5%.
Conclusions: High prevalence of NCD risk factors was observed among Santal migrants with inadequate intake of fruits and vegetables, followed by alcohol and tobacco use being most prevalent. Male gender was independently linked to tobacco and alcohol use; age 45-69 years with alcohol use and low education with tobacco use. Culturally appropriate, community-based health promotion programs could be beneficial."

This article presents the experience of photogrammetric modeling of nine small archaeological objects from the collection of the Pushkin State Museum of Fine Arts. The subjects of the study are tesserae with shallow stamps and signs of wear, which required the use of macro photography and specialized image processing algorithms to achieve high detail. The technical aspects of the capture process are discussed, including the use of a camera with a macro lens and motorized rails for stabilization. The article also analyzes model processing methods, such as the use of the MSII to enhance the readability of inscriptions and images. Challenges encountered during the modeling of objects with worn surfaces are addressed, and solutions for improving visualization quality are proposed. The results demonstrate new possibilities in creating highly detailed models for scientific work with museum artifacts.

Natural disasters (NDs) experienced by women and their children during prenatal and infant growth may have long-lasting effects on offspring’s development. Handgrip strength (HGS) is one of the measures of muscular strength and an indicator of health status. This study compared HGS in children exposed to cyclone Aila in India during their prenatal and infant growth compared to a control group from a non-affected, adjacent area. The total sample involved 444 boys and 423 girls aged 7–9 years, categorised into 3 groups: prenatally exposed to Aila, exposed to Aila in infancy, and the control group, non-exposed to Aila. Results revealed that prenatally exposed children of both sexes had significantly lower HGS than the controls (at least, p &lt; 0.001 in boys; p &lt; 0.05 in girls). On the other hand, the postnatally exposed boys, but not the girls, showed lower HGS than the controls. A significant effect of a group factor (ND exposure) on HGS was observed even after controlling for con...

There are at present few comparable studies of lemur locomotion in the wild. This has unfortunately meant we have little knowledge about locomotor variation, and hence flexibility, with regard to differences in support availability and habitat structure. Here we compare the locomotion of Lepilemur edwardsi at Ankarafantsika with that of Lepilemur ruficaudatus at Kirindy-Mitea National Park. While data were collected by two individuals, at different times, both studies used the same data collection protocol and are hence highly comparable. Locomotor mode, support diameter and orientation, heights, and distances traveled were all collected. We find that locomotor specialization, in this case for vertical leaping, has ensured that some support requirements are independent of habitat. For example, both species used vertical supports most often. However, overall support diameter does indicate a certain degree of flexibility, whereby L. ruficaudatus most often used supports ≤5 cm in diame...

A thorough knowledge of biological variation in extant primates is imperative for interpreting variation, and for delineating species in primate biology and paleobiology. This is especially the case given the recent, rapid taxonomic expansion in many primate groups, notably among small-bodied nocturnal forms. Here we present data on dental, cranial, and pelage variation in a single-locality museum sample of mouse lemurs from Amboasary, Madagascar. To interpret these data, we include comparative information from other museum samples, and from a newly collected mouse lemur skeletal sample from the Beza Mahafaly Special Reserve (BMSR), Madagascar. We scored forty dental traits (n ¼ 126) and three pelage variants (n ¼ 19), and collected 21 cranial/dental measures. Most dental traits exhibit variable frequencies, with some only rarely present. Individual dental variants include misshapen and supernumerary teeth. All Amboasary pelage specimens display a "reversed V" on the cap, and a distinct dorsal median stripe on the back. All but two displayed the dominant grayebrown pelage coloration typical of Microcebus griseorufus. Cranial and dental metric variability are each quite low, and craniometric variation does not illustrate heteroscedasticity. To assess whether this sample represents a single species, we compared dental and pelage variation to a documented, single-species M. griseorufus sample from BMSR. As at Amboasary, BMSR mouse lemurs display limited odontometric variation and wide variation in nonmetric dental traits. In contrast, BMSR mouse lemurs display diverse pelage, despite reported genetic homogeneity. Ranges of dental and pelage variation at BMSR and Amboasary overlap. Thus, we conclude that the Amboasary mouse lemurs represent a single species e most likely (in the absence of genetic data to the contrary) M. griseorufus, and we reject their previous allocation to Microcebus murinus. Patterns of variation in the Amboasary sample provide a comparative template for recognizing the degree of variation manifested in a single primate population, and by implication, they provide minimum values for this species' intraspecific variation. Finally, discordance between different biological systems in our mouse lemur samples illustrates the need to examine multiple systems when conducting taxonomic analyses among living or fossil primates.

We have carried out a comprehensive ESR and U-series dating study on the Lake Mungo 3 (LM3) human skeleton. The isotopic Th/U and Pa/U ratios indicate that some minor uranium mobilization may have occurred in the past. Taking such effects into account, the best age estimate for the human skeleton is obtained through the combination of U-series and ESR analyses yielding 62,000 6000 years. This age is in close agreement with OSL age estimates on the sediment into which the skeleton was buried of 61,000 2000 years. Furthermore, we obtained a U-series age of 81,000 21,000 years for the calcitic matrix that was precipitated on the bones after burial. All age results are considerably older than the previously assumed age of LM3 and demonstrate the necessity for directly dating hominid remains. We conclude that the Lake Mungo 3 burial documents the earliest known human presence on the Australian continent. The age implies that people who were skeletally within the range of the present Australian indigenous population colonized the continent during or before oxygen isotope stage 4 (57,000-71,000 years).

Las investigaciones recientes realizadas en el sitio epiclásico de Tingambato (Michoacán) han demostrado que participó en redes de intercambio a larga distancia para adquirir bienes de prestigio y contribuir a la circulación de ideas y conocimientos. Esta inserción se refleja particularmente bien en el mobiliario de dos singulares tumbas de cámaras: la Tumba I, con decenas de individuos y cientos de objetos, y la Tumba II, donde solo se encontró los restos de un individuo ataviado con un ajuar de casi 20 mil objetos de concha y piedra. El enfoque contextual y los análisis multifocales del mobiliario funerario de esta última tumba, a la luz de las nuevas tecnologías, permiten proponer que se trataba de una joven mujer que ostentaba un alto rango social.

This study details a severe case of Scheuermann's disease (SD) in a well-preserved skeleton of a juvenile male (designated TOR302), dated to 3rd-4th century CE, from the late Roman necropolis of Torrenueva (Granada, Spain). Individual TOR302 shows an evident kyphotic curve in the thoraco-lumbar spine, which is characterised by: (i) vertebral bodies of thoracic vertebra T2, thoracic segment T4-T9, and thoraco-lumbar segment T12-L2 wedged at > 5°; (ii) slight anterior extensions of the epiphyseal ring; (iii) Schmorl's nodes on the superior and/or inferior plates; and (iv) a Cobb angle of 75°, derived from thoracic segments T4-T9. In addition, TOR302 shows other skeletal malformations as the secondary results of abnormal growth, due to altered biomechanical forces imposed by the spinal deformity, including: (i) lateral distortion of the spine that causes a slight secondary scoliotic curve; (ii) pelvic obliquity; and (iii) discrepancy in the length of the limbs. We argue that the secondary skeletal abnormalities allowed the individual to adapt to his spinal deformity meaning he was able to walk without the aid of a stick. Despite SD being a common modern clinical finding, few cases have been reported in ancient skeletal remains. This case therefore represents an important contribution to the palaeopathological literature.

Resumen La enfermedad de Paget (EP) es un trastorno caracterizado por un exagerado remodelado óseo en todas las fases de su ciclo, resul-tando un hueso de mayor tamaño, muy vascularizado, deformado y de estructura desordenada. La anormalidad estaría en la regulación de los osteoclastos que es-tán aumentados en número y tamaño. La ubicación más frecuente es el esqueleto axial especialmente pelvis, sacro, columna lumbar y cráneo. En nuestra población con EP, detectamos un compromiso vertebral en el 47% de los pacientes que habíamos calificado previamente como monostóticos y en el 36,8% de los pacientes con EP poliostótica. El compromiso vertebral puede afectar la médula espinal por com-promiso de la circulación generando una cuadriparesia o parapare-sia, dependiendo del nivel óseo afectado. La hipótesis sugerida de dicha afectación es el robo o atrapamiento vascular. Esto explica la importancia de tratar a los pacientes con compromi-so vertebral debido a la dramática reversibilidad de...

This study explores the interaction between crack initiation and nanomechanical properties in the crack tip process zone (zone of microcracking at the tip of a propagating crack) of a brittle geomaterial. Samples of Carrara marble with pre-existing cracks ("flaws") were loaded in a uniaxial testing machine until the process zone appeared at the tips of the pre-existing cracks in form of "white patching". Three techniques were then used to obtain nanomechanical properties of the process zone and relate them to macroscale crack initiation: digital photography, to visually assess the macrostructure and crack formation, environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM), to visually assess microstructure, and nanoindentation, to yield nanomechanical properties and assess nano/microheterogeneities. Nanoindentation testing was comprised of lines and grids of single nanoindentations located both near and far from the process zone. The purpose of nanoindentation testing is to investigate the underlying trend in nanomechanical property change between intact and process zone marble. Analysis of nanoindentation testing results showed a decrease of both modulus and hardness (a) near grain boundaries in intact material, and (b) with closeness to the process zone. Ultimately, the study confirms that the crack tip process zone manifests itself as an area of reduced nanomechanical properties in marble.

Thermal ionization mass spectrometric 230 Th/ 234 U dating has been carried out on intercalated speleothem samples from the limestone cave occupied by Homo erectus at Zhoukoudian, China. The samples were recently collected in proper stratigraphic context after detailed field examinations. The results show that the age of the No. 5 Skull from Layer 3 is >400 ka, possibly in the range of about 400-500 ka, and that the hominid fossils from the lower strata are at least 600 ka and possibly >800 ka, much older than previously thought. The near-equilibrium 230 Th/ 234 U ratios and internal consistency of the dates and stratigraphy lend credence to the results and allow us to comment on their important implications for human evolution.

This article assesses anthropological thinking about the race concept and its applications. Drawn from a broader national survey of geneticists' and anthropologists' views on race, in this analysis, we provide a qualitative account of anthropologists' perspectives. We delve deeper than simply asserting that "race is a social construct." Instead, we explore the differential ways in which anthropologists describe and interpret how race is constructed. Utilizing the heuristic of constructors, shifters, and reconcilers, we also illustrate the ways in which anthropologists conceptualize their interpretations of race along a broad spectrum as well as what these differential approaches reveal about the ideological and biological consequences of socially defined races, such as racism in general and racialized health disparities in particular. [race concept, social construction, racism, health disparities]

To compare the population group from the Šopot graveyard with population groups from traditional Croatian medieval graveyards by using anthropological, craniometrics, and mitochondrial (mtDNA) analysis and to examine if the cultural differences between population groups reflect biological differences. We determined sex, age at death, pathological, and traumatic changes of skeletal remains from the Šopot graveyard and compared them with a cumulative medieval sample from the same region. We also performed principal component analysis to compare skeletal remains from Šopot with those from Ostrovica and other Central European samples according to 8 cranial measurements. Finally, we compared 46 skeletons from Šopot with medieval (Ostrovica) and contemporary populations using mDNA haplogroup profiling. The remains from Šopot were similar to the cumulative sample in lifestyle and quality of life markers. Principal component analysis showed that they were closely related to Eastern Adriatic coast sites (including Ostrovica and Šopot) in terms of cranial morphology, indicating similar biological makeup. According to mDNA testing, Šopot population showed no significant differences in the haplogroup prevalence from either medieval or contemporary populations. This study shows that the Šopot population does not significantly differ from other medieval populations from this area. Besides similar quality of life markers, these populations also had similar biological markers. Substantial archeological differences can therefore be attributed to apparent cultural influences, which in this case do not reflect biological differences.

A complicated history of isolation between Fueguian and Patagonian groups (originated by the appearance of the Straits of Magellan) as much as differences in population structure and life strategies constitute important factors in the clustering pattern of those groups. The aim of this work was to test several hypotheses about population structure and history of Fueguian‐Patagonians to propose a model that incorporates predictions for future studies. R matrix methods and matrix permutation analyses were performed upon a data matrix of craniofacial measurements of 441 skulls divided into nine samples pertaining to six Patagonian and three Fueguian populations. Association of biological distances with three matrices representing several settlement patterns was tested using matrix permutation tests. Results of R matrix study show that the minimum genetic distance obtained confirms separation between Fueguians and Patagonians. Moreover, an analysis of residual variances from the expecte...

The work is devoted to the study of the phenomenon of directional bilateral asymmetry of long limb bones in the population of the Volga-Ural steppe on the basis of osteometric data from the Neolithic/ Eneolithic, Early and Late Bronze, Early Iron Age, and the Middle Ages. The epoch of the Late Stone Age is represented by the materials from the Ust-Kama and Khvalynsk cultures. The Early Bronze Age series includes skeletons of the Yamnaya and Poltavka cultures and additionally includes materials from the Catacomb culture of the NorthWestern Caspian region. The materials of the Pokrovka and Srubnaya cultures made up a series of the Late Bronze Age. The Early Iron Age group is formed by the skeletons of the Early Sarmatian (Prokhorovka) culture. The medieval series is represented by the Bulgarian population who left the burial ground of Zhiguli I. Taking into account the existing developments in this field, the task was to identify asymmetric features in the samples under consideration and to identify the relationships between the direction of physical stress on the musculoskeletal system and the economic and cultural appearance of the population. The practical basis of the study is the method of comparing the variational series of measurements of the right and left sides of the skeleton by the nonparametric Wilcoxon criterion for dependent samples. Additionally, an analysis of the normality of the distribution of the measurement series was conducted, and the coefficients of excess and asymmetry of the distribution curve were calculated. As a result of the use of these statistical tools, the manifestations of directional asymmetry of the skeletal bones were demonstrated. A positive correlation was revealed between a high degree of mobility of the population and left-sided asymmetry of the lower extremities. The longitudinal dimensions of the humerus and femur in most of the studied groups are directionally asymmetric. With the demonstrated methodological approach, it is possible to identify a correlation between the degree of mobility of ancient population groups and the manifestation of mechanical stress on the elements of the postcranial skeleton. It is assumed that the degree of physical stress on the muscle groups of the lower extremities of the Khvalynsk and Yamnaya populations was different. In an earlier series, it was lower. It is assumed that there will be a gradual increase in physical activity on the female part of the population during the Bronze Age. The peak of the phenomenon is recorded in the Late Bronze and Early Iron Ages. The complex of asymmetry of the skeletons of the Bulgarian time is unique in its weak manifestation. This is probably due to the low degree of mobility of the population.

The fossil record of 'lesser apes' (i.e. hylobatids = gibbons and siamangs) is virtually non-existent before the latest Miocene of East Asia. However, molecular data strongly and consistently suggest that hylobatids should be present by approximately 20 Ma; thus, there are large temporal, geographical, and morphological gaps between early fossil apes in Africa and the earliest fossil hylobatids in China. Here, we describe a new approximately 12.5-13.8 Ma fossil ape from the Lower Siwaliks of Ramnagar, India, that fills in these long-standing gaps with implications for hylobatid origins. This ape represents the first new hominoid species discovered at Ramnagar in nearly a century, the first new Siwalik ape taxon in more than 30 years, and likely extends the hylobatid fossil record by approximately 5 Myr, providing a minimum age for hylobatid dispersal coeval to that of great apes. The presence of crown hylobatid molar features in the new species indicates an adaptive shift to a more frugivorous diet during the Middle Miocene, consistent with other proposed adaptations to frugivory (e.g. uricase gene silencing) during this time period as well.

Carabelli's trait is a morphological feature that frequently occurs on the mesiolingual aspect of Homo sapiens upper molars. Similar structures also referred to as Carabelli's trait have been reported in apes and fossil hominins. However, the morphological development and homology of these mesiolingual structures among hominoids are poorly understood. In this study, we employ micro-computed tomography to image the enameledentine junction (EDJ) and outer enamel surface (OES) of Pan (n ¼ 48) and H. sapiens (n ¼ 52) upper molars. We investigate the developmental origin of mesiolingual features in these taxa and establish the relative contribution of the EDJ and enamel cap to feature expression. Results demonstrate that mesiolingual features of H. sapiens molars develop at the EDJ and are similarly expressed at the OES. Morphological variation at both surfaces in this taxon can satisfactorily be assessed using standards for Carabelli's trait developed by the Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System (ASUDAS). Relative to H. sapiens, Pan has an even greater degree of correspondence in feature expression between the EDJ and OES. Morphological manifestations in Pan molars are not necessarily limited to the protocone and are best characterized by a lingual cingulum that cannot be captured by the ASUDAS. Cusp-like structures, similar to those seen in marked Carabelli's trait expressions in H. sapiens, were not found in Pan. This study provides a foundation for further analyses on the evolutionary history of mesiolingual dental traits within the hominoid lineage. It also highlights the wealth of morphological data that can be obtained at the EDJ for understanding tooth development and for characterizing tooth crown variation in worn fossil teeth.

No one today is purely one thing. Labels like Indian, or woman, or Muslim, or American are not more than starting-points, which if followed into actual experience for only a moment are quickly left behind. Imperialism consolidated the mixture of cultures and identities on a global scale. But its worst and most paradoxical gift was to allow people to believe that they were only, mainly, exclusively, white, or Black, or Western, or Oriental. Yet just as human beings make their own history, they also make their cultures and ethnic identities.

Evolutionary studies of mammalian teeth have generally concentrated on the adaptive and functional significance of dental features, whereas the role of development on phenotypic generation and as a source of variation has received comparatively little attention. The present study combines an evolutionary biological framework with state-of-the-art imaging techniques to examine the developmental basis of variation of accessory cusps. Scholars have long used the position and relatedness of cusps to other crown structures as a criterion for differentiating between developmentally homologous and homoplastic features, which can be evaluated with greater accuracy at the enamel-dentine junction (EDJ). Following this approach, we collected digital models of the EDJ and outer enamel surface of more than 1000 hominoid teeth to examine whether cusp 5 of the upper molars (UM C5) and cusps 6 and 7 of the lower molars (LM C6 and LM C7) were associated each with a common developmental origin across species. Results revealed that each of these cusps can develop in a variety of ways, in association with different dental tissues (i.e. oral epithelium, enamel matrix) and dental structures (i.e. from different cusps, crests and cingula). Both within and between species variability in cusp origin was highest in UM C5, followed by LM C7, and finally LM C6. The lack of any species-specific patterns suggests that accessory cusps in hominoids are developmentally homoplastic and that they may not be useful for identifying phylogenetic homology. An important and unanticipated finding of this study was the identification of a new taxonomically informative feature at the EDJ of the upper molars, namely the postparacone tubercle (PPT). We found that the PPT was nearly ubiquitous in H. neanderthalensis and the small sample of Middle Pleistocene African and European humans (MPAE) examined, differing significantly from the low frequencies observed in all other hominoids, including Pleistocene and recent H. sapiens. We emphasize the utility of the EDJ for human evolutionary studies and demonstrate how features that look similar at the external surface may be the product of different developmental patterns. This study also highlights the importance of incorporating both developmental and morphological data into evolutionary studies in order to gain a better understanding of the evolutionary significance of dental and skeletal features.

Ai sensi della Legge sui diritti d'Autore e del Codice Civile è vietata la riproduzione di questo libro o di parte di esso con qualsiasi mezzo, elettronico, meccanico, per mezzo di fotocopie, microfilm, registrazioni o altro, senza il consenso dell'Autore o dell'Editore.

ABSTRACTObjectives:We present new nitrogen isotopic discrimination factor between diets and scalp hairs (Δ15NHair‐Diet: δ15NHair – δ15NDiet) for indigenous residents in three communities in the Papua New Guinea Highlands who consumed various amounts and qualities of protein. The Δ15N is important for precise evaluation of the dietary habits of human populations; in both contemporary and traditional lifestyles. Several hypotheses have been proposed regarding factors that affect Δ15N values, based largely on observations from animal feeding experiments. However, variations and factors controlling Δ15N in humans are not well understood, mainly due to the difficulty of controlling the diets of participants.Materials and Methods:These residents were studied because they have maintained relatively traditional dietary habits, which allow quantitative recording of diets. Δ15N was estimated by comparing hair δ15N values to mean dietary δ15N values calculated from the recorded intake of each ...

ABSTRACTObjectivesMaximum ingested food size (Vb) is an empirically tested performance variable that can shed light on feeding energetics and adaptation in the masticatory system. Until now, this variable had been tested in strepsirrhines alone among primates. Here, we present the first data on Vb in a broad sample of anthropoid primates and describe scaling patterns.Materials and MethodsVb data on anthropoids were collected under captive conditions at the Philadelphia Zoo and compared with published data on strepsirrhines. Data on Vb were scaled against individual body mass and were compared with experimentally determined toughness and stiffness values for the test foods.ResultsUnlike in strepsirrhines, where essentially Vb scales isometrically with body mass, Vb in anthropoids scales with negative allometry. There is a significant effect of food material properties on Vb, although bite size in anthropoids varies less based on food properties than in strepsirrhines. Large folivorou...

Body mass index is a measure used to assess whether a person is underweight or overweight. However, BMI does not take into account muscle mass and fat mass, making it less accurate for determining nutritional status values in this condition. The purpose of this study was to determine whether upper arm circumference has a correlation with BMI and to determine the threshold value for detecting undernutrition in adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years. This study used a cross-sectional design involving 380 healthy adolescent girls. Anthropometric measurement procedures are implemented under strict supervision after obtaining consent from respondents. There is a strong correlation (r = 0.841) where the effect of MUAC variables on BMI variables was 70.7% (R square =0.707, p = 0.000), AUC of 0.899 (95% CI: 0.86-0.92) for MUAC on BMI, sensitivity = 0.896, specificity = 0.711, PPV = 0.869, and NPV = 0.761. The cutoff value was 23.7 cm and the Youden Index was 0.647, with a good accuracy value of 83.68%. MUAC has good accuracy and is supported by a strong correlation to detect nutritional status in adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 years, where the resulting sensitivity and specificity are high. This study also produced a cutoff value that was not much different, namely 23.7. Based on these results, MUAC can be recommended for early assessment in the detection of malnutrition in adolescent girls. The drawback of this study is the relatively small sample size.

Analiza resturilor scheletice umane din cimitirul medieval de la Costești-Cier/Lângă Școală a fost realizată printr-o abordare interdisciplinară, pentru a descifra evoluția culturală și socială a comunității. În intervalul anilor 2012-2023 au fost descoperite 54 de complexe funerare, incluzând morminte de inhumație și reînhumări, dar și oase recuperate din straturi distruse, analiza fiind efectuată, prin tehnici standardizate, pe un număr de cel puțin 74 de schelete. Catalogul scheletelor analizate oferă o bază de date importantă pentru cercetările viitoare. Datele paleodemografice arată o comunitate cu o proporție semnificativă de copii, o vârstă medie la deces de 23 de ani, indicând condiții de viață dificile. Profilul fenotipic reflectă diversitate genetică. Datele paleopatologice sugerează deficiențe nutriționale, cum ar fi hipoplazia smalțului și scorbutul, și prevalența bolilor infecțioase și articulare, ceea ce relevă condiții de sănătate precare în comunitate. Studiul activităților fizice demonstrează suprasolicitarea musculară la nivelul mai multor oase, indicând un stil de viață activ, în timp ce analiza traumatismelor osoase arată o incidență scăzută a leziunilor, majoritatea fiind accidentale, fără dovezi de violență. Analiza spectrometrică a probelor osteologice relevă expunerea la metale precum cuprul, plumbul, cadmiul și nichelul, cu concentrații mai mari la sub-adulți, sugerând boli asociate cu aceste metale toxice. În concluzie, studiul multidisciplinar realizat la Costești-Cier oferă o imagine complexă a condițiilor de trai, stării de sănătate și ocupațiilor cotidiene în rândul populației medievale, subliniind influența mediului asupra vieții comunității.

The analysis of human skeletal remains from the medieval cemetery at Costești-Cier/Lângă Școală was conducted through an interdisciplinary approach to decipher the cultural and social evolution of the community. Between 2012 and 2023, 54 burial features were discovered, including inhumation graves and reburials, as well as bones recovered from disturbed layers, with analysis carried out using standardised techniques on a minimum of 74 skeletons. The catalogue of the analysed skeletons provides an important database for future research. Paleodemographic data show a community with a significant proportion of children and an average age at death of 23 years, indicating challenging living conditions. Phenotypic profiles reflect genetic diversity. Palaeopathological data suggest nutritional deficiencies, such as enamel hypoplasia and scurvy, along with a prevalence of infectious and joint diseases, revealing poor health conditions within the community. Studies of physical activity have demonstrated muscle overstrain in several bones, indicating an active lifestyle. In contrast, the analysis of bone traumas shows a low incidence of injuries, most of which are accidental and without evidence of violence. Spectrometric analysis of the osteological samples revealed exposure to metals, such as copper, lead, cadmium, and nickel, with higher concentrations found in subadults, suggesting diseases associated with these toxic metals. In conclusion, the multidisciplinary study conducted at Costești-Cier offers a complex picture of the medieval population's living conditions, health status, and daily occupations, highlighting the environmental influence on the community's life.

The detailed anatomical features that characterize fossil hominin molars figure prominently in the reconstruction of their taxonomy, phylogeny, and paleobiology. Despite the prominence of molar form in human origins research, the underlying developmental mechanisms generating the diversity of tooth crown features remain poorly understood. A model of tooth morphogenesis—the patterning cascade model (PCM)—provides a developmental framework to explore how and why the varying molar morphologies arose throughout human evolution. We generated virtual maps of the inner enamel epithelium—an indelibly preserved record of enamel knot arrangement—in 17 living and fossil hominoid species to investigate whether the PCM explains the expression of all major accessory cusps. We found that most of the variation and evolutionary changes in hominoid molar morphology followed the general developmental rule shared by all mammals, outlined by the PCM. Our results have implications for the accurate interpretation of molar crown configuration in hominoid systematics.

This is the first study to examine hand preferences in Tonkean macaques on a bimanual task. One of our objectives was to continue the move toward greater task standardization, in order to facilitate comparisons between species and studies on handedness. The main aim was to test and determine task robustness, by varying intra-task complexity. To this end, we administered several different tasks to the subjects: two unimanual tasks (grasping task featuring items of different sizes) and three coordinated bimanual tasks (tube task involving different materials, weights, and diameters). Although we found no significant hand preference in either task at the group level, the macaques were

The growth and development of children are profoundly influenced by dietary habits, lifestyles, and environmental factors, which begin to shape early in ontogeny. In high-altitude populations, geographical stressors, such as permanent hypoxia, add further complexity and cannot be modified by human intervention. This study aimed to describe the nutritional status of preschoolers in a high-altitude area of northwestern Argentina. A cross-sectional and descriptive study was carried out in 59 children aged 4 and 5 years from the towns of El Peñón and Antofagasta de la Sierra (3320 masl), Antofagasta de la Sierra department, Catamarca, Argentina. Anthropometric measurements, including weight (W), height (H), waist circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, and tricipital (T) and subscapular (S) skinfolds. Various indices and indicators, such as body mass index (BMI), waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), subscapular tricipital index (STI), and upper arm fat (UFA) and muscle area (UMA), were calculated. Additionally, the ratios of W/H, H/A (H for age), and BMI/A (BMI for age) were determined. Abdominal obesity was assessed using WHtR, and fat distribution was analyzed using STI. Protein and caloric reserves were estimated based on UMA and UFA, respectively. The study revealed a low prevalence of low weight (3.7%) but a high prevalence of overweight (20.3%) and obesity (3.4%) among the evaluated preschool children. Notably, 30.0% of overweight children and 16.0% of normal weight children exhibited centralized fat distribution. Abdominal obesity was observed in 90.0% of overweight children and 42.2% of normal weight children. Stunting was also observed in 8.5% of the individuals. Additionally, a considerable prevalence of low caloric and protein reserves was identified. These findings confirm the coexistence of deficit and excess malnutrition states, indicating a double burden of malnutrition, among the preschoolers of Antofagasta de la Sierra. Moreover, the study highlights the accumulation and distribution of abdominal and centralized fat as significant concerns in this population.