The Polyoak (rural) and Green Point (urban) archaeological sites represent distinct populations in Cape Town during the 18th and 19th centuries. Dental pathology and macrowear in 55 individuals (595 teeth) were examined to assess overall health and diet. Despite limitations from skeletal fragmentation and commingling, which restricted age and sex estimation, the findings provide valuable insights into health conditions in the Cape during this period and demonstrate the contribution of bioarchaeological research to understanding past lived experiences. We recorded 868 pathological features, including linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH), caries, and abscesses, indicating a biologically stressful environment. Women and individuals under 35 years showed the highest levels of stress, likely linked to nutritional constraints and infectious exposure. Rural Polyoak residents generally lived longer with better dental health and less abrasive wear. In contrast, urban residents at Green Point faced higher health risks associated with increased population density, abrasive diets, and tobacco use; evidenced by pipe-smokers wear in ten individuals. Furthermore, pronounced anterior macrowear across both sites suggests the use of teeth as a third hand for non-dietary tasks. These results highlight the distinct socio-cultural and health disparities between urban and rural environments in the colonial Cape.
Adult height and body mass index (BMI) are among the fundamental somatic characteristics of humans and are shaped by the interplay of biological, familial, and environmental factors. An increasing body of research indicates the long-term importance of early-life conditions for traits observed in adulthood. This study aimed to assess the contribution of selected biological and family-related environmental determinants to variation in adult height and BMI among physical education students. An additional exploratory aim was to analyse potential correlates of age at menarche in women. The study included 267 physical education students (180 men and 87 women). Body height and body mass were measured, and data on birth parameters and family characteristics were collected, with the data obtained at the beginning of the 2025/2026 academic year. Statistical analyses were performed using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression models. Adult height was significantly associated with the stature of both parents as well as with birth length and birth weight, with the high proportion of explained variance being partly attributable to the inclusion of sex in the models. BMI was associated with sex, birth weight, and maternal educational level, with a moderate degree of explained variance. No significant associations were found between age at menarche and the predictors included in the analysis. The findings highlight the importance of familial and early-life determinants for adult height in young adults, as well as the limited role of socioeconomic environmental factors in the population studied. Interpretation of the results for BMI requires consideration of the specific characteristics of a physically active population.
The 19th century was a period of profound historical and social dynamics in Galicia, significantly impacting the biological status of its inhabitants. This study aimed to characterize the mortality patterns of the population in Pietrzykowice (Stary Zywiec parish) through a biodemographic analysis of parochial registers. The research material comprised death records from the All Saints Parish in Stary Zywiec, spanning the years 18001899 (N = 1,894 females and N = 2,010 males). The reliability of the registers was formally verified. Life tables were constructed assuming both the stationary and the stable population models. Key metrics calculated included neonatal and infant mortality rates, alongside an analysis of seasonal patterns and causes of death. The study incorporated measures of the opportunity for natural selection to evaluate the impact of differential mortality. The Chi-squared test was used to determine the statistical significance of sex-based and seasonal distributions. Sex-specific and temporal differences in ex estimates were verified using standard error tables and nomographic methods. To assess sex-based disparities in neonatal and post-neonatal mortality, a z-test for two proportions was employed. For all statistical tests, the significance level was set at p < 0.05. Life expectancy at birth (e0) was 23.87 years for females and 21.20 years for males, while e20 reached 33.69 years for females and 34.40 years for males in stationary population model. A statistically significant disadvantage in newborn life expectancy e0 was observed for males, whose values fell considerably below those recorded for females. Analysis of the three measures of the opportunity for natural selection revealed high mortality rates among the younger age groups, and suggesting that only a relatively small proportion of individuals reached their full reproductive potential. Neonatal and infant mortality rates differences were statistically significant, reaching 54.36 and 129.15 for females, and 60.00 and 172.33 for males respectively. Significant seasonality in mortality was observed, although sex-based differences in seasonal patterns were not statistically significant. The distribution of causes of death varied significantly by quarter (season) and age category. Furthermore, causes of death showed significant differentiation between sexes. The 19th-century inhabitants of Pietrzykowice exhibited low life expectancy relative to more affluent regions, such as Greater Poland (Wielkopolska). The population was also characterized by high early childhood mortality. The findings indicate that mortality patterns were highly diversified by season, sex, and age, suggesting a complex interplay between environmental factors and biological susceptibility in shaping the demographic profile of this rural community.
Urban slums are characterized by informal settlements, poor living conditions and inadequate access to basic amenities. Poverty remains the largest structural determinant of health, with an increasing concentration of economically disadvantaged populations in urban areas. The present study aims to evaluate the somatotype and body fat percentage of adult inhabitants living in the urban slums of Guwahati using standardized anthropometric measurements. Assessment of somatotype provides valuable insight into body composition patterns and their potential association with susceptibility to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in both sexes, thereby facilitating early risk identification. A total of 1,078 adults of 1860 years of age participated in the study. They were from eight slum settlements in Guwahati, representing a heterogeneous population comprising speakers of Bihari, Bengali, Assamese, and Punjabi, along with a small proportion of Telugu-speaking individuals. Anthropometric assessments included linear dimensions, circumferences (girth measurements), skinfold thicknesses, and skeletal breadths. Somatotype classification of the participants was performed using the HeathCarter method and analysed with R Statistical Software. The findings indicate that the maximum stature recorded among both males and females residing in the Guwahati slums was higher than the reported average adult height for the state of Assam. Endomorphic Mesomorph as the most prevalent somatotype indicating higher muscle and fat components with greater risk of obesity and metabolic disorders. The inhabitants face risks associated with both their somatotype and their fat percentage. Age-related declines in physical activity collectively may be is contributing to increased adiposity among the slum residents. Educating the slum residents may play a significant role in helping to understand about their overall health and active lifestyle.
Spinal osteoarthritis (SOA) is an important contributor to back pain, but the factors that lead to its development are poorly understood. Here, we report a study designed to test the idea that vertebral shape influences the probability of developing SOA. We used geometric morphometrics to compare the 3D shape of the last thoracic (T12) and the first lumbar vertebrae (L1) of adults with and without SOA. The sample was drawn from archaeological and documented skeletons, consisting of 143 T12s and 136 L1s. Two linked hypotheses were tested. The first was that there is an association between vertebral shape and SOA. The second was that the association between in the first hypothesis exists because the risk of SOA is increased by a morphotype that includes more sagittal zygapophyseal facets and smaller interfacet distances. This hypothesis was informed by the results of two previous studies. The analyses supported the first hypothesis. MANOVAs and DFAs indicated that the vertebrae of individuals with SOA tend to have a significantly different morphotype to unaffected individuals. In contrast, the results of the analyses only partially supported the second hypothesis. PCA-derived wireframes upheld only one of the predicted differences, smaller interfacet distances. The other predicted difference more sagittal facets in affected individuals was not supported. Unexpectedly, the analyses identified several other traits that distinguish the vertebrae of individuals with SOA. All of these traits can be plausibly linked to suboptimal biomechanics for the spine. Overall, the study supports the idea that vertebral shape can increase the probability of developing SOA.
In Austria, more than a third of all births are performed with the assistance of vacuum extraction or a caesarean section. Consistent with the male disadvantage hypothesis, many indications for obstetric intervention, including cephalopelvic disproportion or placental abruption, affect male fetuses more frequently than female ones. Thus, we hypothesized that male fetuses show a higher rate of obstetric intervention than female fetuses. This retrospective, single-center study was based on 11749 singleton live births taking place in Vienna, Austria between 2010 and 2020. Maternal (age, body height, weight, parity, nicotine use), obstetric (fetal presentation, gestational length, delivery mode), and neonatal parameters (sex, birthweight, birth length, head circumference) were included in the analysis. Both instrumental vaginal delivery (6.8% vs. 4.8%) and emergency cesarean section (9.4% vs. 8.2%) occurred significantly more often in males than females (p < 0.001). This association between fetal sex and delivery mode persisted despite controlling for confounding factors such as head circumference, with males having a 1.51 resp. 1.22 increased risk of instrumental vaginal delivery (p < 0.001) resp. emergency cesarean section (p = 0.006) compared to females. Male sex is a major risk factor of birth complications and consequently higher rates of instrumental vaginal delivery and emergency cesarean section.
The aim of the study was to determine the anthropometric profile and maximum aerobic power of the paddler, by analysing the development of these from cadet to senior category and their relationship to genetic variance and sporting data. This was carried out by following twelve paddlers, in the categories cadet (15.9 ± 0.3 years), junior (17.3 ± 0.5 years), under-23 (20.5 ± 1.2 years) and senior (26.8 ± 2.6 years). The anthropometric protocol included 25 variables, performing studies of body composition, somatotype and proportionality. Participants performed a treadmill exercise test to determine their aerobic fitness level, the VO2max (l/min-1) represented the maximum aerobic power. The paddlers continued to develop their upper body circumferences up to the under-23 category and from there also their thorax and arm circumferences up to the senior category. The increase of muscular mass was 5.1 ± 2.1 kg. Balanced mesomorphy was predominant in the senior category. The range of VO2max was 4.6 and 5.8 l/min-1 in the senior and under-23 categories. The best performance was characterised by tall height due to trunk length, greater relative arm span, high upper body musculoskeletal development, low body fat, high lean mass and muscle mass in relation to size, balanced mesomorphy and higher maximum aerobic power.
This study reassessed whether the distributions of body height and body weight in Albanian adolescents at biological maturity are best described by unimodal or bimodal models. A total of 2,622 high-school graduates (1,272 males; 1,350 females; age 17.518.5 years) were measured according to IBP standards. Gaussian Mixture Models (GMMs) with one versus two components were fitted to height and weight for the combined sample and separately for males and females. Model selection was based on the Bayesian Information Criterion (BIC). Results showed that height in the combined sample favoured a two-component model, but both sexes individually displayed clearly unimodal distributions, indicating that apparent bimodality in height is driven by sex composition. In contrast, body weight was consistently better described by a two-component model across the total sample as well as within each sex, revealing a predominant normal-weight cluster alongside a smaller higher-weight subgroup. These findings indicate that while body height variation is explained primarily by sexual dimorphism, body weight exhibits genuine within-sex heterogeneity likely linked to lifestyle, environmental, or metabolic influences. The use of GMM combined with BIC offers a rigorous framework for detecting latent subgroup structures, with implications for reference standards and public-health strategies in adolescent populations.
This research aims to provide a framework for identifying vestiges of vertebral haemangioma (VH), a benign tumour originating from the cells that form blood or lymphatic vessels, in archaeological human skeletal remains. The macroscopic alteration was observed in the fourth thoracic vertebral body of a female aged 2535 years at death from the necropolis of Pontecagnano (Salerno, Italy), dated to 725650 BCE; the adult individual was associated with the skeletal remains of an infant. Macroscopic assessment was combined with stereomicroscopy, micro-CT, and 3D reconstruction. Macroscopically, areas of cortical bone loss enabled evaluation of trabecular thickening and rarefaction. Radiographically, small punctuate areas of sclerotic bone resulting from the replacement of the normal cancellous bone by vertically oriented and thickened vertical trabeculae were typified as polka-dot on the axial plane and corduroy sign on the sagittal image. The bone alterations are considered pathognomonic of an intraosseous VH. This study, which describes one of the few cases of VH in the palaeopathological literature, highlights the importance of combining macroscopic assessment and advanced imaging techniques for the diagnosis of VHs in archaeological human skeletal remains.
Objective: Present study delineates to explore the relation of actual body weight and body self-image perception among tribal adolescent girls and boys. Materials and methods: This cross sectional study is conducted at Purulia district of West Bengal. A total number of 395 Santal adolescent (Girls: 181; Boys: 214); aged 1418 years are recruited for the current study. Structured questionnaire is used to access data on body image and body weight perception. Height and weight are taken for estimation of Body Mass Index. Results: More overweight female participants regarded themselves as normal. Considerable section of overweight male participants perceived their own body weight as both overweight and normal. Overall Appearance Evaluation (OAE) score is significantly more in male overweight. Overweight female and male participants scored highest for Fatness Evaluation (FE) Scale. Height Dissatisfaction (HD) Score is significantly greater among male overweight participants. Drive for Thinness (DT) and Body Dissatisfaction (BD) score both are significantly more among male underweight participants. Multivariate Analyses of variance (MANOVA) find BMI of female and male participants have statistical significant effect on various body self-image perception scores. Conclusion: Barring overweight participants faulty body weight perception is absent in present study participants. Weight management behaviours are not prevalent among them. They belong from lower socio-economic background and have less media exposure. All these might be the reason of their nonspecific dietary intake and practices.
The internal branches of R1b-M269 (R1b1a1b) have been poorly analyzed in the Portuguese population. The present study aims to improve the understanding of the phylogenetic structure of this main haplogroup within the country. We analyzed 94 individuals, primarily from the central region of Portugal, previously identified as having the derived allele for the R1b-M269 marker. The R1b-M269 subhaplogroups S116/P312 and U106 were found with frequencies of 88.3% and 5.32%, respectively. Regarding the sublineages of S116/P312, the subhaplogroup DF27 was the most common (60.64%) compared with the two additional subclades U152 and M529 found with frequencies of 6.38% and 15.96%, respectively. The dissection of the subhaplogroup DF27 for its most known sublineages revealed a high frequency of the F1343 subtype (18 in 94 M269 samples) representing a frequency of 19.15%. Among the other DF27 sublineages, only the Z196/Z195 derived allele was found with a frequency of 8.51%. In conclusion, we have identified several main branches of R1b-M269 in a population sample from Portugal. For the first time, we report F1343 as a common sublineage within DF27 among an Iberian population. This new finding enhances the understanding of the phylogenetic structure of haplogroup R1b-DF27, particularly within Iberian populations where this lineage is most prevalent.
This study examines population changes during a key transitional period in medieval Hungary, with particular emphasis on the question of the survival of Avar-age populations. Craniometric data were analysed from 1657 individuals dated between the 1st and 11th centuries CE. Six of the most reliably preserved cranial measurements were used in the analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA) was applied separately for males and females. The analysis identified three principal components in males and two in females, suggesting sex-based differences in cranial size proportions. The mean PCA scores, calculated by archaeological period, revealed considerable variability across time but showed similar trends between the sexes. Notably, the Avar-age populations particularly females consistently stood out from both earlier and later groups. This distinction may reflect their unique anthropological characteristics, likely linked to their Asian origins. To statistically validate these observations, a linear mixed model (LMM) was applied with archaeological periods as fixed effects. Pairwise comparisons confirmed significant differences between the Avars and other groups. For males, PC1 distinguished Late Avars from the Hungarian conquest period; for females, both PCs showed significant divergence. Among the archaeological periods studied, the Avar populations exhibited the most distinct cranial dimensions. These findings challenge the notion that a substantial segment of the Avar population persisted beyond the Hungarian conquest. In contrast to previous research, this study offers novel evidence of a demographic discontinuity following the end of the Avar period.
Human mummies are an invaluable resource for bioarchaeology, providing insights into past diseases, behaviors, and funerary practices. However, their long-term preservation poses challenges, particularly when displayed publicly or stored in uncontrolled environments. This study seeks to assess the condition of an assemblage of spontaneously mummified religious dignitaries from Sicily, located in the recently reopened crypt of the mother church of Militello Rosmarino (province of Messina, Italy). Within the framework of the Sicily Mummy Project, we used the microbial community present on the remains as an indicator of both their condition and the environment in which they are stored. Samples were collected from the skin of 6 out of 41 individuals based on accessibility and overall preservation, yielding 54 isolates consisting of fungi and bacteria. Microorganisms were examined through cultivation, morphological characterization, biochemical tests, and molecular analyses such as RISA, 16S rDNA, and ITS1-5.8S-ITS2 rDNA sequencing. Hydrolytic activity assays revealed biodeterioration potential linked to cellulolytic and proteolytic microorganisms. Results showed that although the mummies had been neglected for a long time and covered in dust, they had been colonized by diverse cultivable fungi and bacteria with moderately harmful characteristics. The study emphasizes that, despite their predominantly environmental origin, the identified microorganisms could lead to both biodeterioration of the mummified remains and health risks for visitors. Therefore, appropriate cleaning and conservation interventions, along with constant monitoring of environmental parameters, are necessary to preserve this remarkable evidence of past funerary practices.
Bone reinforcement lines are rarely examined traits visible on X-rays that correlate with chronic osteopenia and osteoporosis. In this study, through the use of humeral X-rays taken from 109 prehistoric Californian Native American remains, the relationships between bone reinforcement lines and average cortical bone thickness, sex, and age are examined. Results revealed that individuals with bone reinforcement lines were likely to have lower average cortical bone thickness. Bone reinforcement lines were also more often found in females than in males. Furthermore, the lines increased in frequency with age. Bioarchaeologists and paleopathologists may use bone reinforcement lines to compare bone loss across populations and time. Osteologists should consider investigating whether bone reinforcement lines are a systemic adaptation to prevent fractures in osteoporotic individuals. Forensic anthropologists may be able to use these correlations along with other skeletal traits to help determine the identity of a victim. More research is needed to examine the permanence of bone reinforcement lines within an individuals life.
The aim of the study is to answer the question about existing a relationship between sacral spina bifida occulta (SBO) and the occurrence of degenerative changes in spinal joints based on the examination of 30 skeletal remains (adults only; 9 females, 18 males, and 2 individuals of undetermined sex) from Dabr (beginning of the 17th century, Poland). According to a small sample size age range has not been taken into account in the analyses. SBO, osteophytes, porosity, Schmorls nodes on the vertebral body, and articular processes on the vertebrae were examined. In Dabr sample only partial clefts of SBO were assessed. Results show that individuals with SBO are not likely to experience osteoarthritic changes of the spine. Correlations were not statistically significant between sacral SBO and most degenerative changes in the spine. The coefficient for all types of changes was negative, suggesting individuals with SBO are less likely to develop degenerative changes in the spine. The only degenerative change significantly correlated with SBO was porosity. The present study confirms medical study analyses in which the relationship between these two phenomena has been assessed. Apparently, sacral SBO did not significantly affect the spinal health of past human populations. These results could enrich our knowledge of SBO etiology.
Cranial bone thickness is one of the most measured features in biological anthropology and medicine. In this study, the cranial bone thickness was investigated in an Iron Age non-adult mortuary sample from the Western Regions in China, to characterize the changes of cranial bone thickness in growth. The results demonstrated that the cranial vault thickness of non-adult increased gradually with age. The overall growth spurt period of the cranial bone thickness occurred at 67 years old, with variations in different bones. Cranial thickness and overall shape of the skull will be achieved after 15 years or older. These findings enrich our knowledge of bone and head growth in prehistoric children, and have application potentials in functional morphology, paleoanthropology, and forensic anthropology studies.
This study examines population development and changing mortuary practices in the Carpathian Basin between the 7th and 13th centuries CE, focusing on the demographic and symbolic implications of subadult burial patterns. Life expectancy at birth (ex°), defined here as an archaeological demographic proxy rather than a direct indicator of biological lifespan, was calculated or reconstructed for 23 medieval cemeteries (N = 3,602 individuals), based on osteologically estimated age-at-death data. Using hierarchical cluster analysis (UPGMA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), and subadult representation (ages 014 years), we identified two major temporal clusters: one comprising 7th10th century sites and another spanning the 11th13th centuries. A significant decrease in ex° values in the later cluster (mean = 28.6 years) compared to the earlier one (mean = 33.2 years), coupled with a higher proportion of child burials (36.2% vs. 25.0%), suggests that Christianization led to increased mortuary inclusion of children. The LDA model confirmed that ex° values moderately distinguished between archaeological periods (56.5% classification accuracy). These patterns reflect not only biological mortality but also cultural shifts in the perceived personhood and spiritual status of children, as Christian norms redefined the moral community of the dead. Our results demonstrate that paleodemographic indicators such as life expectancy can provide insight into broader ideological transformations in medieval Central Europe.
Identification of the human body or remains after death is a forensic procedure which is difficult to perform and is mandatory by law and in compliance with social norms. Sexing the recovered human remains is an integral part of the identification process. The utilization of radiological imaging methods in anthropometric studies is being expanded by the application of modern imaging methods, leading to a decrease in costs, time, and the ability to create three-dimensional images. It is widely accepted that using population-specific criteria to estimate biological traits in the human skeleton improves accuracy. The present study investigated three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography images of 274 individuals (183 males and 91 females) within the 1884 years age group (Mean age: 43.13 ± 17.23) for sex determination. A total of 16 anthropometric parameters were taken into consideration. Logistic regression analysis (LRA), multiple logistic regression, univariate, multivariate, and stepwise discriminant function analysis (DFA) were generated to establish the accuracy of the cranial parameters. The morphometric measurements of the skull revealed that the most dimorphic structure was the bizygomatic breadth, which emerged as the best predictor of sex, with an accuracy of 80.7% with LRA and 81.2% with univariate DFA. Our study evaluates sexual dimorphism in an Indian population using CT skull images, incorporating cranial measurements, logistic regression, and univariate and multivariate analyses to develop an anthropometric approach for sex determination. The uniqueness of this research lies in its focus on the Indian population, where morphological variations may differ from other populations. By refining established CT-based sex determination methods and incorporating advanced quantification techniques, we aim to enhance the accuracy of sex determination in this population.
Objective: Evaluation and verification of morphological and osteometric methods for the sex diagnosis of skeletons of subadult individuals by comparison with molecular genetic sex determinations. Material: 53 individuals (almost exclusively subadult individuals) buried in a medieval mass grave in Creuߥn, Germany. Methods: Morphological methods referring to the morphology of the pelvis, mandible and facies auricularis, an osteometric method on the pelvis and molecular genetic sex determination by the detection of X- and Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (STRs). Results: None of the morphological and metric characteristics tested achieved the required minimum assurance level of 75%. Conclusions: None of the tested methods is a reliable criterion for determining the sex of subadult individuals of the studied skeletal series. Significance: In the literature, morphological sex diagnosis on childrens skeletons is repeatedly criticised, but is a common subject of anthropological investigation. In this paper, once again, attention is drawn to the unreliability of the methods, using the skeletal remains from a medieval mass grave in Creuߥn, Germany. Limitations: The study is limited to the skeletal series presented in this paper and cannot automatically be applied to other skeletal series. Other series from different geographical locations or chronological classifications could lead to different results. Suggestions for further research: Critical consideration of morphological and osteometric sex diagnosis in skeletons of other subadult individuals.
This report investigates a probable aortic aneurysm in a skeleton from Kedainiai, Lithuania, assessing cardiovascular signs within a sample of 22 adults. Notably, sternal bone changes indicative of chronic aneurysmal pressure were observed. The remains, identified as those of a middle-aged adult male (ca. 50 years old), exhibited an oval-shaped perforation and surrounding erosion and remodeling on the sternal body, consistent with chronic pressure exerted by a dilated ascending aorta. These findings were systematically compared with documented cases of aortic aneurysms from osteological specimens. The observed pathology aligns with thoracic aortic aneurysms, often associated with aging, hypertension, and connective tissue weakening. Based on osteological evidence alone, malignancies, genetic syndromes such as Marfan and Ehlers-Danlos, and infectious diseases like syphilis were ruled out as primary causes; however, syphilis cannot be entirely excluded. This case underscores the intersection of genetic predisposition, lifestyle, and diet in ancient societies and highlights the value of bioarchaeology in tracing the evolution of cardiovascular diseases. By focusing on skeletal markers, this research provides critical insights into the prevalence and impact of aortic aneurysms in historical populations, offering a framework for understanding their implications in modern medicine. The case also emphasizes bioarchaeological investigations relevance in tracing disease evolution and informing contemporary medical approaches.
