American Journal of Physical Anthropology

Kaifu, Yousuke; Aziz, Fachroel; Baba, Hisao

doi: 10.1002/ajpa.10427pmid: 15761881

Eight hominid mandibular and associated dental remains discovered between 1952–1986 from the Early Pleistocene deposits of Sangiran, Central Java, are described. Although the specimens are surface finds, their original stratigraphic positions can be reasonably inferred on the basis of coincidental sources of information. These specimens significantly increase the dento‐gnathic sample available for intensive morphological investigation of the earliest Javanese hominids [Kaifu et al., 2005]. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Irish, Dr. Joel D.

doi: 10.1002/ajpa.20109pmid: 15895433

The present study revisits a subject that has been a source of long‐standing bioarchaeological contention, namely, estimation of Nubian population origins and affinities. Using the Arizona State University dental anthropology system, frequencies of 36 crown, root, and intraoral osseous discrete traits in 12 late Pleistocene through early historic Nubian samples were recorded and analyzed. Specifically, intersample phenetic affinities, and an indication of which traits are most important in driving this variation, were determined through the application of correspondence analysis and the mean measure of divergence distance statistic. The results support previous work by the author and others indicating that population discontinuity, in the form of replacement or significant gene flow into an existing gene pool, occurred sometime after the Pleistocene. This analysis now suggests that the break occurred before the Final Neolithic. Samples from the latter through Christian periods exhibit relative homogeneity, which implies overall post‐Pleistocene diachronic and regional population continuity. Yet there are several perceptible trends among these latter samples that: 1) are consistent with documented Nubian population history, 2) enable the testing of several existing peopling hypotheses, and 3) allow the formulation of new hypotheses, including a suggestion of two post‐Pleistocene subgroups predicated on an age‐based sample dichotomy. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Rhodes, Jill A.; Knüsel, Christopher J.

doi: 10.1002/ajpa.20147pmid: 15895420

This paper examines humeral cross‐sectional properties in two different samples of later medieval date: a group of blade‐injured males from the sites of Towton, North Yorkshire, and Fishergate in the City of York, England, and a comparative group of nonblade‐injured males also from the site of Fishergate in York. CT image slices were taken of the humeral shaft at 20%, 35%, 50%, 65%, and 80% from the distal end to investigate population differences in levels and patterns of mechanical loading. Bilateral asymmetry is investigated and comparisons are made with different populations of varying activity levels. Architectural changes such as humeral torsion are also investigated to determine the relationship between architectural changes and biomechanical efficiency. Results show significant differences in diaphyseal robusticity between the Towton sample and the comparative population, as well as significant differences in diaphyseal shape both between limbs within the Towton sample and between blade‐injured samples. Population differences were also identified in the level of bilateral asymmetry, further demonstrating the differences in movement and activity patterns both between and within samples. These variations may relate to distinctive, more strenuous weapon use and differences in strenuous movement patterns in the two groups. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

King, T.; Humphrey, L.T.; Hillson, S.

doi: 10.1002/ajpa.20232pmid: 15861429

Enamel hypoplasias are useful indicators of systemic growth disturbances during childhood, and are routinely used to investigate patterns of morbidity and mortality in past populations. This study examined the pattern of linear enamel hypoplasias in two different burial populations from 18th and 19th Century church crypts in London. Linear enamel hypoplasias on the permanent dentitions of individuals from the crypt of Christ Church, Spitalfields, were compared to enamel defects on the teeth of individuals from St. Bride's. The method used involves the identification of enamel defects at a microscopic level, and systemic perturbations are detected by matching hypoplasias among different tooth classes within each individual. The pattern of linear enamel hypoplasias was contrasted between individuals from the burial sites of Spitalfields and St. Bride's, between males and females, and between those aged less than 20 years of age and those aged over 20 years at death. Six different parameters were examined: frequency of linear enamel hypoplasias, interval between defects, duration of hypoplasias, age at first occurrence of hypoplasia, age at last occurrence of hypoplasia, and the percentage of enamel formation time taken up by growth disturbances. All individuals in the study displayed linear enamel hypoplasias, with up to 33% of total visible enamel formation time affected by growth disruptions. Multiple regression analysis indicated a number of significant differences in the pattern of enamel hypoplasias. Individuals from Spitalfields had shorter intervals between defects and greater percentages of enamel formation time affected by growth disturbances than did individuals from St. Bride's. Females had greater numbers of linear enamel hypoplasias, shorter intervals between defects, and greater percentages of enamel formation time affected by growth disturbances than males. There were also differences in the pattern of enamel hypoplasias and age at death in this study. Individuals who died younger in life had an earlier age at first occurrence of enamel hypoplasia than those who survived to an older age. The pattern of enamel hypoplasias detected in this study was influenced by tooth crown geometry and tooth wear such that most defects were found in the midcrown and cervical regions of the teeth, and greater numbers of defects were identified on the anterior teeth. Differences in sensitivity of the parameters used for the detection of enamel hypoplasias were found in this study. The percentage of visible enamel formation time affected by growth disturbances was the parameter that identified the greatest number of significant differences among the subgroups examined. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Delgado‐Darias, T.; Velasco‐Vázquez, J.; Arnay‐de‐la‐Rosa, M.; Martín‐Rodríguez, E.; González‐Reimers, E.

doi: 10.1002/ajpa.20087pmid: 15895436

The island of Gran Canaria was inhabited in pre‐Hispanic times by people of North African origin who arrived on the island towards the second half of the first millennium BC. In previous studies, we reported that there are some differences between the coastal inhabitants from Gran Canaria, mainly buried in tumuli, and those from the central mountains, mainly buried in caves. For example, the prevalence of auricular exostoses is higher among the population interred in coastal tumuli when compared with the inland population. This finding may be explained by the practice of marine activities, as supported by chroniclers' reports, by archaeological data, and by bone trace‐element analysis, which point to a more intense consumption of marine products by the inhabitants of the coastal regions. Dental caries epidemiology is one of the most important ways in which the diet of past populations can be reconstructed. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence and intensity of caries among the pre‐Hispanic population of Gran Canaria, in order to increase our knowledge about the dietary habits of these people, and to search for differences among the population buried in caves and that buried in tumuli. We studied a total of 791 individuals. Sex was estimated in 561 cases, and age at death, following Brothwell's criteria, in 549. We found that 66.95% of individuals buried in caves and 58.91% of those buried in tumuli showed at least one carious lesion. The proportion of carious teeth was significantlty higher among the population buried in caves (median = 15.71%, interquartile range (IR) = 0–33.33%) than among the population buried in tumuli (median = 6.25%, IR = 0–20%, P = 0.001). Type of burial is the main factor associated with the proportion of carious teeth.These data suggest that the population buried in caves had a different dietary pattern from that of those buried in tumuli. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Weinstein, Karen J.

doi: 10.1002/ajpa.20137pmid: 15895419

Living human populations from high altitudes in the Andes exhibit relatively short limbs compared with neighboring groups from lower elevations as adaptations to cold climates characteristic of high‐altitude environments. This study compares relative limb lengths and proportions in pre‐Contact human skeletons from different altitudes to test whether ecogeographic variation also existed in Andean prehistory. Maximum lengths of the humerus, radius, femur, and tibia, and femoral head breadth are measured in sex‐specific groups of adult human skeletons (N = 346) from the central (n = 80) and the south‐central (n = 123) Andean coasts, the Atacama Desert at 2,500 m (n = 102), and the southern Peruvian highlands at 2,000–3,800 m (n = 41). To test whether limb lengths vary with altitude, comparisons are made of intralimb proportions, limb lengths against body mass estimates derived from published equations, limb lengths against the geometric mean of all measurements, and principal component analysis. Intralimb proportions do not statistically differ between coastal groups and those from the Atacama Desert, whereas intralimb proportions are significantly shorter in the Peruvian highland sample. Overall body size and limb lengths relative to body size vary along an altitudinal gradient, with larger individuals from coastal environments and smaller individuals with relatively longer limbs for their size from higher elevations. Ecogeographic variation in relation to climate explains the variation in intralimb proportions, and dietary variation may explain the altitudinal cline in body size and limb lengths relative to body size. The potential effects of gene flow on variation in body proportions in Andean prehistory are also explored. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Boldsen, Jesper L.

doi: 10.1002/ajpa.20133pmid: 15895437

Leprosy was a well‐known and dreaded disease in the Middle Ages. A substantial fraction of the adult population carried leprosy‐related lesions. Previous research analyzed the occurrence and implications of seven such lesions in samples of medieval skeletons. These analyses were carried out under the assumption of conditional independence among lesion scores. The present paper examines this assumption by developing a test based on the odds ratios and applying the test to three rural medieval samples from Europe: Tirup from the 12th–14th century AD in Jutland, Denmark; Refshale from the 12th–14th century AD on the island of Lolland, Denmark; and Lauchheim from AD 460–680 in southern Germany. Signs of nonzero prevalence of leprosy at death were found in all three samples: Tirup, 25.5% (95% CI, 17.2–34.6%); Refshale, 39.1% (95% CI, 25.5–54.7%); and Lauchheim, 16.2% (95% CI, 10.0–22.9%). It is shown that when leprosy is the prime factor creating variation in the lesion scores in and between samples, the assumption of conditional independence cannot be rejected. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Harris, Edward F.; Lease, Loren R.

doi: 10.1002/ajpa.20162pmid: 15895432

This analysis reports on a spatial‐temporal survey of published studies of primary tooth crown dimensions in humans (80 samples). Mesiodistal data are analyzed for the 10 tooth crown dimensions. The purpose was to evaluate the numerous case reports (descriptive analyses of single samples) in the literature in order to assess patterning of variation 1) in tooth size, 2) among tooth types, 3) across sexes, 4) with space (historical affinity), and 5) with time. Sexual dimorphism is low in the primary dentition, averaging 2% across all 10 tooth types. All size distributions of the samples are positively skewed because of megadont native Australians. Europeans, who are most frequently represented in the literature, have the smallest tooth crowns of any continental grouping assessed. The method by Darroch Mosimann ([1985] Biometrika 72:241–252) of reducing size effects was used, basically standardizing the data variable‐wise, and then ordinating groups on their factor scores. Principal components analysis produced just two canonical axes: overall size (68%) and a front‐back (i1‐i2‐c vs. m1‐m2) polarity (11%), based on the intergroup (not ontogenetic) covariance matrix. This second component discriminates between groups with relatively large anterior teeth (Europeans) and those where relatively more tooth substance is apportioned to the molars (Africans and Asians). Size differences predominate over shape between sexes from the same groups. Europeans have small teeth with comparatively large anterior dimensions. Asian and sub‐Saharan African samples share features of average crown size but large cheek teeth. Indian and European samples show considerable overlap on both canonical axes, with average size overall but comparatively large anterior teeth. The few Amerindian samples are too variable to characterize. Based on comparisons of archaeological and living samples, tooth size reductions are documented here for Europe, India, and the Near East compared to tooth sizes of Neolithic and Mesolithic samples. The temporal changes parallel those documented elsewhere for the permanent dentition. The biological and anthropological relevance of these distributions is discussed. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Lestrel, P.E.; Cesar, R.M.; Takahashi, O.; Kanazawa, E.

doi: 10.1002/ajpa.20209pmid: 15895430

An approach, computational shape analysis (CSA), is presented here which utilizes a Fourier‐wavelet representation to numerically describe shape features of biological forms. Two elements are involved: 1) elliptical Fourier functions (EFFs), to provide estimates of global aspects, and 2) continuous wavelet transforms (CWTs) to generate an objective estimate of localized features. EFFs are computed, using a set of pseudohomologous points, to create a precise analog of the boundary. This computed contour is then normalized by scaling and rotated in two‐dimensional space to insure a representation that is invariant with respect to starting point, size, and orientation. The predicted point coordinates derived from the EFFs are submitted to CWT for further processing. Wavelet coefficients are then computed to identify localized features, localization being a subjective process with EFFs. The advantage of wavelets is that they eliminate the inevitable subjectivity inherent in the choice of measurements. To test the usefulness of CSA, a sample of cranial base (CB) lateral radiographic outlines was available. Five archaeological periods, Yayoi, Kofun, Kamakura, Edo, and Modern, were utilized (n = 297). Statistically significant differences in sex and archaeological age were found. Although archaeological age differences were present, they were small and random in character, suggesting stability in the CB structures. In contrast, sexually dimorphic differences were present in every group from the Yayoi to the Modern period. This presence of sexually dimorphic differences in shape was consistent with earlier studies of M. nemestrina, G. gorilla, and P. troglodytes. Consequently, it is suggested that the pattern of sexual dimorphism documented in the Japanese CB is a primate pattern with an ancient evolutionary history. The results demonstrate, both visually and numerically, that CSA is a powerful approach for describing both global and localized features of craniofacial structures such as the CB. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Oettlé, A.C.; Pretorius, E.; Steyn, M.

doi: 10.1002/ajpa.20207pmid: 15861427

Many characteristics of the human skeleton can only be assessed morphologically, which may be problematic due to factors such as interobserver error and difficulties with standardization. Flexure of the mandibular ramus is one of these traits, and various researchers found widely differing results using this morphological feature. The aim of this study was to determine whether differences between male and female mandibular rami could be observed using the computerized method of geometric morphometrics, a valuable tool that helps quantify shape differences. Twenty‐eight mandibular rami of black females and 43 of black males were photographed in a standard plane and assessed. It was found that the females were more scattered on the graph (more variable in shape), while the males clustered more around the center point where the two axes met (shape more constant). There was, however, considerable overlap between the sexes. Although different tendencies exist between the rami of males (being more flexed) and females (tending to be straight), the extent of these differences is not adequate to predict the sex of a single individual. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2005. © 2005 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.