Kasvorekonstruktioaiheisen pro Gradu -tutkielmani jälkeen jatkoin menneisyyden rekonstruoimisessa.Tutkimuksessa minua erityisesti kiinnostaa menetelmien kehittäminen ja syvempi ymmärtäminen. Jo pro Gradu -työni yhteydessä tein myös suomalaisten kasvojen kudospaksuuden mittaustutkimuksen käyttäen OYSin sairaala-arkiston pään MRI kuvia, ja osallistuin tällä tutkimustyöllä aikoinani siinä vaiheessa toisen kerran järjestettyyn konferenssiin Reconstruction of Soft Facial Parts. Väitöskirjassani keskityin fyysisestä aktiviteetista tehtäviin rekonstruktioihin luurangon perusteella, erityisesti metodin kehittämiseen luustoaineiston valossa. Fyysisen aktiviteetin rekonstruktioiden kasvava suosio vaati enenevää tarvetta ymmärtää, miten ja miksi aktiviteetti näkyy luustossa. Väitöskirjan jälkeisessä tutkimuksessani tein yhteistyötä UKK instituutin kanssa, jotta pystyin paremmin selvittämään, mitä aspekteja fyysisestä aktiviteetista voidaan arkeologisesta aineistosta rekonstruoida.Aivan tämän vuoden alusta tutkimuskohteeni vaihtui poron fyysisen aktiviteetin tutkimukseen Dosentti Anna-Kaisa Salmen poron domestikaatiota tutkivassa 5-vuotisessa projektissa. Tässä rekonstruoidaan siis myös menneisyyttä. Tarkoitukseni on selvittää, voidaanko poron luuston perusteella rekonstruoitavan aktiviteetin perusteella tarkastella ihmisen ja eläimen välistä suhdetta, erityisesti poron domestikaation alkamista - missä vaiheessa poroa alettiin käyttämään hyödyksi myös taakkojen kantamisessa ja vetämisessä, missä vaiheessa poroja alettiin aitaamaan, ja ruokkimaan. Supervisors: Andrew Chamberlain, Arja Kaitala, and Markku Niskanen
Väre T, Vilkama R, Niinimäki S, Niskanen M, Núñez M, Niinimäki J & Junno JA. Faravid 43/2017: 5–2... more Väre T, Vilkama R, Niinimäki S, Niskanen M, Núñez M, Niinimäki J & Junno JA. Faravid 43/2017: 5–20.
Abstract: Church burials, which were customarily made until the 19th century, are responsible for natural mummification of numerous human remains under Northern Finnish churches. These mummies are almost completely unexplored. Thus, adequate, non-invasive methods are needed to document and examine them. To begin with, a general computed tomography scanning was performed on the mummified remains of an early 17th-century vicar from Finnish Lapland. The aim of this paper was to investigate the signs of the dental diseases in the scans. These findings were reflected to 1) the vicar's previous pathological findings, 2) the dental conditions of the contemporary archeological skeletal population of Iin Hamina, and 3) to what is known about the Northern Finnish diet in the 17th century to outline the main features of the vicar’s diet. The results of the previous studies concerning him already suggest abundant diet. Additionally, in the light of historical and osteoarchaeological evidence, the local contemporaneous diet was mainly protein-based, with less significant consumption of carbohydrates as the local economy was not yet based on cultivation of crops but on livestock, hunting and fishing. The dental study did not give us reason to dispute assumptions of his protein/fat rich diet, which is also in accordance with the local diet of his time.
Objectives: We investigated the relationship between loading history and bone bio-mechanical prop... more Objectives: We investigated the relationship between loading history and bone bio-mechanical properties used in physical activity reconstructions. These bone properties included bone bending and torsional strength (J), cortical area (CA), the direction of the major axis (theta angle), and element shape ratios determined from cross sections of standardized bone length. In addition, we explored the applicability of anatomically determined cross sections. Methods: Our material consisted of hip and proximal thigh magnetic resonance images of Finnish female athletes (N 5 91) engaged in high-jump, triple-jump, endurance running, swimming, power-lifting, soccer and squash; along with a group of active non-athlete individuals (N 5 20). We used regression analysis for size-adjustment, and the extracted residuals were then used to compare differences in the bone properties between groups. Results: We found that triple-jumpers, soccer players, and squash players had the greatest values in CA and J, swimmers and non-athletes had the smallest, whereas high-jumpers, power-lifters, and endurance runners exhibited interim values. No between-the-group differences in element shape ratios or theta angles were found. We found that influences of activity were similar regardless of whether standardized length or anatomically determined cross sections were used. Conclusions: Extreme (triple-jump) and directionally inconsistent loading (soccer and squash) necessitate a more robust skeleton compared to directionally consistent loading (high-jump, power-lifting, and endurance running) or non-impact loading
Draught use and being ridden often result in typical pathological patterns in animal skeletons. M... more Draught use and being ridden often result in typical pathological patterns in animal skeletons. Moreover, physical activity patterns may be reflected in bone biomechanical properties and entheseal changes at muscle attachment sites. This paper presents the pathologies and entheseal changes observed in four draught and/or racing reindeer skeletons against information on their life histories and discusses the probability of linking the observed changes to their use. The results of this study are a useful point of comparison to researchers working on reindeer and other species of draught animals. However, our results also emphasize that entheseal changes and many pathologies have multifactorial etiologies and that interpretation of skeletal change patterns is not straightforward, even when there is information on the life history of the animal and its complete skeleton can be examined.
We evaluate whether entheseal changes (EC) can be used to reconstruct activity among reindeer to ... more We evaluate whether entheseal changes (EC) can be used to reconstruct activity among reindeer to study its domestication. Humans influence reindeer activity patterns through corralling, which renders them less mobile than free-ranging reindeer and through use as draught animals, which can result in overuse of certain muscles. There is also variation within free-ranging reindeer in baseline activity levels due to environmental factors. Other sources of variation at entheses include age, sex, pathology, size, and genetic disposition. Here we examine if there are differences in the entheses between zoo versus free-ranging reindeer. We recorded the entheses of reindeer long bones using a modified EC scoring system. Weight effects were accounted for by performing analyses separately for specimens under and over 95 kg, but unfortunately age information was lacking. We found that several flexor muscle insertion sites in the ulna were more developed among free-ranging reindeer. This difference is likely due to feeding behaviour. The free-ranging animals were digging for lichen from under the snow whereas the zoo reindeer were fed by their keepers. This difference in entheses, however, was found to be significant only among the heavier reindeer. Among the zoo reindeer, the insertion for Subscapularis muscle was more developed, possibly due to increased time spent immobile with the shoulder-bracing muscle apparatus activated. This difference was significant among the heavier deer and nearly statistically significant among the lighter weight reindeer. Domesticated Siberian draught reindeer fell between zoo and free-ranging reindeer in several tibial entheses. According to these results , some forelimb entheses may be useful to study differences in mobility and feeding patterns between groups of reindeer.
Tiina Väre, Sanna Lipkin, Jaakko Niinimäki, Sirpa Niinimäki, Titta Kallio-Seppä, Juho-Antti Junno... more Tiina Väre, Sanna Lipkin, Jaakko Niinimäki, Sirpa Niinimäki, Titta Kallio-Seppä, Juho-Antti Junno, Milton Núñez, Markku Niskanen, Matti Heino, Annemari Tranberg, Saara Tuovinen, Rosa Vilkama, Timo Ylimaunu
We utilize computed tomography (CT) to study early modern burials once deposited beneath Finnish churches, some of which contain mummified remains. The method allows performing repeated 3-dimentional layer-by-layer dissections not only to the human remains but to the whole burials. We are able to conclude about the burial materials – such as the coffin itself but also the textiles, ornaments, plant particles and other accessories sealed inside it – without harming this unique heritage. The examination functions as a virtual, repeatable, non-invasive excavation. This is the first CT study of Finnish mummies and examination of the artefacts associated with the burials via CT is a relative novelty. The project was initiated with a CT study of the mummified remains of a 17th-century vicar, and coffins of seven sub-adults have been imaged since it. So far we have revealed pathological conditions the vicar suffered from and conclude about the preservation and funerary attires.
tGreater size of the gluteus maximus muscle in humans comparedto non-human primates has been cons... more tGreater size of the gluteus maximus muscle in humans comparedto non-human primates has been considered an indication of itsfunction in bipedal posture and gait, especially running capabili-ties. Our aim was to find out how the size of the gluteus maximusmuscle varies according to sports while controlling for variationin muscle strength and body weight. Data on gluteus maximusmuscle cross-sectional area (MCA) were acquired from magneticresonance images of the hip region of female athletes (N = 91), andphysically active controls (N = 20). Dynamic muscle force was mea-sured as counter movement jump and isometric knee extensionforce as leg press. Five exercise loading groups were created: highimpact (triple-jumpers and high-jumpers), odd impact (soccer andsquash players), high magnitude (power-lifters), repetitive impact (endurance runners) and repetitive non-impact (swimmers) load-ings. Individuals in high impact, odd impact or high-magnitudeloading groups had greater MCA compared to those of controls,requiring powerful hip extension, trunk stabilization in rapid direc-tional change and high explosive muscle force. Larger body sizeand greater muscle strength were associated with larger MCA. Anincrease in dynamic force was associated with larger MCA, but thestrength of this relationship varied with body weight. Thus, glutealadaptation in humans promotes powerful lower limb movementsrequired in sprinting and rapid changes in direction, as well as main-tenance and stabilization of an erect trunk which also provides aplatform for powerful motions of the upper limbs. These move-ments have likely evolved to facilitate food acquisition, includinghunting.
The cool, ventilated milieus beneath the floors of old Finnish churches are responsible for the n... more The cool, ventilated milieus beneath the floors of old Finnish churches are responsible for the natural mummification in church graves. One good example of such preservation are the remains of an early 17th-century vicar of Kemi parish, Nikolaus Rungius. He died in 1629 and was put to rest under the old Keminmaa Church in Finnish Lapland. The parish began exhibiting his preserved body in the 18th century after which Vicar Rungius – a locally revered man of cloth in life – gained wide posthumous fame. His dead body became a powerful means to encourage and strengthen people’s faith. The mummy has maintained a human form but has lost its right forearm. On top of that the computed tomography scanning conducted in 2011 revealed that the head was not normally attached. It is unclear when it happened or how but a suspicion arose that once the neck was damaged the head could have fallen to the ground and shattered. A serious concern was whether the head of the mummy was really that of Vicar Rungius as a headless vicar would undoubtedly have prompted a substitution with another mummified head in order to maintain a powerful incentive to the parishioners’ faith.
Greater size of the gluteus maximus muscle in humans compared to non-human primates has been cons... more Greater size of the gluteus maximus muscle in humans compared to non-human primates has been considered an indication of its function in bipedal posture and gait, especially running capabilities. Our aim was to find out how the size of the gluteus maximus muscle varies according to sports while controlling for variation in muscle strength and body weight. Data on gluteus maximus muscle cross-sectional area (MCA) were acquired from magnetic resonance images of the hip region of female athletes (N=91), and physically active controls (N=20). Dynamic muscle force was measured as counter movement jump and isometric knee extension force as leg press. Five exercise loading groups were created: high impact (volleyball players and high-jumpers), odd impact (soccer and squash players), high magnitude (power-lifters), repetitive impact (endurance runners) and repetitive non-impact (swimmers) loadings. Individuals in high impact, odd impact or high-magnitude loading groups had greater MCA compared to those of controls, requiring powerful hip extension, trunk stabilization in rapid directional change and high explosive muscle force. Larger body size and greater muscle strength were associated with larger MCA. An increase in dynamic force was associated with larger MCA, but the strength of this relationship varied with body weight. Thus, gluteal adaptation in humans promotes powerful lower limb movements required in sprinting and rapid changes in direction, as well as maintenance and stabilization of an erect trunk which also provides a platform for powerful motions of the upper limbs. These movements have likely evolved to facilitate food acquisition, including hunting.
Greater size of the gluteus maximus muscle in humans compared to non-human primates has been cons... more Greater size of the gluteus maximus muscle in humans compared to non-human primates has been considered an indication of its function in bipedal posture and gait, especially running capabilities. Our aim was to find out how the size of the gluteus maximus muscle varies according to sports while controlling for variation in muscle strength and body weight. Data on gluteus maximus muscle cross-sectional area (MCA) were acquired from magnetic resonance images of the hip region of female athletes (N=91), and physically active controls (N=20). Dynamic muscle force was measured as counter movement jump and isometric knee extension force as leg press. Five exercise loading groups were created: high impact (volleyball players and high-jumpers), odd impact (soccer and squash players), high magnitude (power-lifters), repetitive impact (endurance runners) and repetitive non-impact (swimmers) loadings. Individuals in high impact, odd impact or high-magnitude loading groups had greater MCA compared to those of controls, requiring powerful hip extension, trunk stabilization in rapid directional change and high explosive muscle force. Larger body size and greater muscle strength were associated with larger MCA. An increase in dynamic force was associated with larger MCA, but the strength of this relationship varied with body weight. Thus, gluteal adaptation in humans promotes powerful lower limb movements required in sprinting and rapid changes in direction, as well as maintenance and stabilization of an erect trunk which also provides a platform for powerful motions of the upper limbs. These movements have likely evolved to facilitate food acquisition, including hunting.
Abstract The aim of this study is to look at upper body functional modifications caused by mechan... more Abstract The aim of this study is to look at upper body functional modifications caused by mechanical loading. We look at 4th lumbar vertebra as well as fibrous humeral musculoskeletal stress markers (MSMs). This study uses information provided by ...
We present the first two cases of DISH observed in ancient human remains in Finland: one in the o... more We present the first two cases of DISH observed in ancient human remains in Finland: one in the osseus remains of an individual from the Åland Archipelago (60ºN 20ºE), the other in the naturally mummified remains of Vicar Nikolaus Rungius (†1629) from southern Lapland (66ºN 24ºE). In addition to being both males of mature/senile age that died in Finland in the 17th century, the only thing in common between these two individuals that lived rather far apart is that they both belonged to the upper class. This would imply an abundant diet rich in animal protein and fats and it agrees with the obvious signs of overweight in Rungius' mummy.
The aim of this study is to consider the occurrence of cribra orbitalia as an indicator of malari... more The aim of this study is to consider the occurrence of cribra orbitalia as an indicator of malaria in Ii Hamina in the 15th to 16th century. The crania of 102 adult skeletons from the 2009 excavation of the old Ii Hamina churchyard were examined for cribra orbitalia. These lesions were interpreted as signs of anemia possibly caused by malaria. The lesions were present in a fifth of the total studied population and their prevalence was similar in both sexes. This suggests that the anemia was not caused by nutritional but by pathogenic stress, which would nominate malaria as one possible causative factor. What is more, the environmental and cultural conditions were favorable for endemic malaria. However, malaria is only one possible explanation for the occurrence of cribra orbitalia in Ii Hamina.
El objetivo del estudio es considerar la aparición de cribra orbitalia en relación con la malaria entre los siglos XV y XVI en Ii Hamina. Los cráneos de 102 esqueletos recuperados en la excavación de 2009 en el cementerio de la antigua iglesia de Puerto de Ii fueron examinados para estudiar la cribra orbitalia. Estas lesiones fueron interpretadas como signos de anemia, posiblemente causados por malaria. Las lesiones estaban presentes en la quinta parte de la población, y ambos sexos exhibían una prevalencia similar, sugiriendo que la causa más probable de la anemia era estrés patogénico en lugar de nutricional, por lo que la malaria sería una causa posible. Además, las condiciones ambientales y culturales eran favorables para la malaria endémica. Sin embargo, esta es sólo una posible explicación de la aparición de cribra orbitalia.
We evaluate whether entheseal changes (EC) can be used to reconstruct activity among reindeer to ... more We evaluate whether entheseal changes (EC) can be used to reconstruct activity among reindeer to study its domestication. Humans influence reindeer activity patterns through corralling, which renders them less mobile than free-ranging reindeer and through use as draught animals, which can result in overuse of certain muscles. There is also variation within free-ranging reindeer in baseline activity levels due to environmental factors. Other sources of variation at entheses include age, sex, pathology, size, and genetic disposition. Here we examine if there are differences in the entheses between zoo versus free-ranging reindeer. We recorded the entheses of reindeer long bones using a modified EC scoring system. Weight effects were accounted for by performing analyses separately for specimens under and over 95 kg, but unfortunately age information was lacking. We found that several flexor muscle insertion sites in the ulna were more developed among free-ranging reindeer. This difference is likely due to feeding behaviour. The free-ranging animals were digging for lichen from under the snow whereas the zoo reindeer were fed by their keepers. This difference in entheses, however, was found to be significant only among the heavier reindeer. Among the zoo reindeer, the insertion for Subscapularis muscle was more developed, possibly due to increased time spent immobile with the shoulder-bracing muscle apparatus activated. This difference was significant among the heavier deer and nearly statistically significant among the lighter weight reindeer. Domesticated Siberian draught reindeer fell between zoo and free-ranging reindeer in several tibial entheses. According to these results, some forelimb entheses may be useful to study differences in mobility and feeding patterns between groups of reindeer.
The aim of this study is to consider the occurrence of
cribra orbitalia as an indicator of malari... more The aim of this study is to consider the occurrence of cribra orbitalia as an indicator of malaria in Ii Hamina in the 15th to 16th century. The crania of 102 adult skeletons from the 2009 excavation of the old Ii Hamina churchyard were examined for cribra orbitalia. These lesions were interpreted as signs of anemia possibly caused by malaria. The lesions were present in a fifth of the total studied population and their prevalence was similar in both sexes. This suggests that the anemia was not caused by nutritional but by pathogenic stress, which would nominate malaria as one possible causative factor. What is more, the environmental and cultural conditions were favorable for endemic malaria. However, malaria is only one possible explanation for the occurrence of cribra orbitalia in Ii Hamina.
Väre T, Vilkama R, Niinimäki S, Niskanen M, Núñez M, Niinimäki J & Junno JA. Faravid 43/2017: 5–2... more Väre T, Vilkama R, Niinimäki S, Niskanen M, Núñez M, Niinimäki J & Junno JA. Faravid 43/2017: 5–20.
Abstract: Church burials, which were customarily made until the 19th century, are responsible for natural mummification of numerous human remains under Northern Finnish churches. These mummies are almost completely unexplored. Thus, adequate, non-invasive methods are needed to document and examine them. To begin with, a general computed tomography scanning was performed on the mummified remains of an early 17th-century vicar from Finnish Lapland. The aim of this paper was to investigate the signs of the dental diseases in the scans. These findings were reflected to 1) the vicar's previous pathological findings, 2) the dental conditions of the contemporary archeological skeletal population of Iin Hamina, and 3) to what is known about the Northern Finnish diet in the 17th century to outline the main features of the vicar’s diet. The results of the previous studies concerning him already suggest abundant diet. Additionally, in the light of historical and osteoarchaeological evidence, the local contemporaneous diet was mainly protein-based, with less significant consumption of carbohydrates as the local economy was not yet based on cultivation of crops but on livestock, hunting and fishing. The dental study did not give us reason to dispute assumptions of his protein/fat rich diet, which is also in accordance with the local diet of his time.
Objectives: We investigated the relationship between loading history and bone bio-mechanical prop... more Objectives: We investigated the relationship between loading history and bone bio-mechanical properties used in physical activity reconstructions. These bone properties included bone bending and torsional strength (J), cortical area (CA), the direction of the major axis (theta angle), and element shape ratios determined from cross sections of standardized bone length. In addition, we explored the applicability of anatomically determined cross sections. Methods: Our material consisted of hip and proximal thigh magnetic resonance images of Finnish female athletes (N 5 91) engaged in high-jump, triple-jump, endurance running, swimming, power-lifting, soccer and squash; along with a group of active non-athlete individuals (N 5 20). We used regression analysis for size-adjustment, and the extracted residuals were then used to compare differences in the bone properties between groups. Results: We found that triple-jumpers, soccer players, and squash players had the greatest values in CA and J, swimmers and non-athletes had the smallest, whereas high-jumpers, power-lifters, and endurance runners exhibited interim values. No between-the-group differences in element shape ratios or theta angles were found. We found that influences of activity were similar regardless of whether standardized length or anatomically determined cross sections were used. Conclusions: Extreme (triple-jump) and directionally inconsistent loading (soccer and squash) necessitate a more robust skeleton compared to directionally consistent loading (high-jump, power-lifting, and endurance running) or non-impact loading
Draught use and being ridden often result in typical pathological patterns in animal skeletons. M... more Draught use and being ridden often result in typical pathological patterns in animal skeletons. Moreover, physical activity patterns may be reflected in bone biomechanical properties and entheseal changes at muscle attachment sites. This paper presents the pathologies and entheseal changes observed in four draught and/or racing reindeer skeletons against information on their life histories and discusses the probability of linking the observed changes to their use. The results of this study are a useful point of comparison to researchers working on reindeer and other species of draught animals. However, our results also emphasize that entheseal changes and many pathologies have multifactorial etiologies and that interpretation of skeletal change patterns is not straightforward, even when there is information on the life history of the animal and its complete skeleton can be examined.
We evaluate whether entheseal changes (EC) can be used to reconstruct activity among reindeer to ... more We evaluate whether entheseal changes (EC) can be used to reconstruct activity among reindeer to study its domestication. Humans influence reindeer activity patterns through corralling, which renders them less mobile than free-ranging reindeer and through use as draught animals, which can result in overuse of certain muscles. There is also variation within free-ranging reindeer in baseline activity levels due to environmental factors. Other sources of variation at entheses include age, sex, pathology, size, and genetic disposition. Here we examine if there are differences in the entheses between zoo versus free-ranging reindeer. We recorded the entheses of reindeer long bones using a modified EC scoring system. Weight effects were accounted for by performing analyses separately for specimens under and over 95 kg, but unfortunately age information was lacking. We found that several flexor muscle insertion sites in the ulna were more developed among free-ranging reindeer. This difference is likely due to feeding behaviour. The free-ranging animals were digging for lichen from under the snow whereas the zoo reindeer were fed by their keepers. This difference in entheses, however, was found to be significant only among the heavier reindeer. Among the zoo reindeer, the insertion for Subscapularis muscle was more developed, possibly due to increased time spent immobile with the shoulder-bracing muscle apparatus activated. This difference was significant among the heavier deer and nearly statistically significant among the lighter weight reindeer. Domesticated Siberian draught reindeer fell between zoo and free-ranging reindeer in several tibial entheses. According to these results , some forelimb entheses may be useful to study differences in mobility and feeding patterns between groups of reindeer.
Tiina Väre, Sanna Lipkin, Jaakko Niinimäki, Sirpa Niinimäki, Titta Kallio-Seppä, Juho-Antti Junno... more Tiina Väre, Sanna Lipkin, Jaakko Niinimäki, Sirpa Niinimäki, Titta Kallio-Seppä, Juho-Antti Junno, Milton Núñez, Markku Niskanen, Matti Heino, Annemari Tranberg, Saara Tuovinen, Rosa Vilkama, Timo Ylimaunu
We utilize computed tomography (CT) to study early modern burials once deposited beneath Finnish churches, some of which contain mummified remains. The method allows performing repeated 3-dimentional layer-by-layer dissections not only to the human remains but to the whole burials. We are able to conclude about the burial materials – such as the coffin itself but also the textiles, ornaments, plant particles and other accessories sealed inside it – without harming this unique heritage. The examination functions as a virtual, repeatable, non-invasive excavation. This is the first CT study of Finnish mummies and examination of the artefacts associated with the burials via CT is a relative novelty. The project was initiated with a CT study of the mummified remains of a 17th-century vicar, and coffins of seven sub-adults have been imaged since it. So far we have revealed pathological conditions the vicar suffered from and conclude about the preservation and funerary attires.
tGreater size of the gluteus maximus muscle in humans comparedto non-human primates has been cons... more tGreater size of the gluteus maximus muscle in humans comparedto non-human primates has been considered an indication of itsfunction in bipedal posture and gait, especially running capabili-ties. Our aim was to find out how the size of the gluteus maximusmuscle varies according to sports while controlling for variationin muscle strength and body weight. Data on gluteus maximusmuscle cross-sectional area (MCA) were acquired from magneticresonance images of the hip region of female athletes (N = 91), andphysically active controls (N = 20). Dynamic muscle force was mea-sured as counter movement jump and isometric knee extensionforce as leg press. Five exercise loading groups were created: highimpact (triple-jumpers and high-jumpers), odd impact (soccer andsquash players), high magnitude (power-lifters), repetitive impact (endurance runners) and repetitive non-impact (swimmers) load-ings. Individuals in high impact, odd impact or high-magnitudeloading groups had greater MCA compared to those of controls,requiring powerful hip extension, trunk stabilization in rapid direc-tional change and high explosive muscle force. Larger body sizeand greater muscle strength were associated with larger MCA. Anincrease in dynamic force was associated with larger MCA, but thestrength of this relationship varied with body weight. Thus, glutealadaptation in humans promotes powerful lower limb movementsrequired in sprinting and rapid changes in direction, as well as main-tenance and stabilization of an erect trunk which also provides aplatform for powerful motions of the upper limbs. These move-ments have likely evolved to facilitate food acquisition, includinghunting.
The cool, ventilated milieus beneath the floors of old Finnish churches are responsible for the n... more The cool, ventilated milieus beneath the floors of old Finnish churches are responsible for the natural mummification in church graves. One good example of such preservation are the remains of an early 17th-century vicar of Kemi parish, Nikolaus Rungius. He died in 1629 and was put to rest under the old Keminmaa Church in Finnish Lapland. The parish began exhibiting his preserved body in the 18th century after which Vicar Rungius – a locally revered man of cloth in life – gained wide posthumous fame. His dead body became a powerful means to encourage and strengthen people’s faith. The mummy has maintained a human form but has lost its right forearm. On top of that the computed tomography scanning conducted in 2011 revealed that the head was not normally attached. It is unclear when it happened or how but a suspicion arose that once the neck was damaged the head could have fallen to the ground and shattered. A serious concern was whether the head of the mummy was really that of Vicar Rungius as a headless vicar would undoubtedly have prompted a substitution with another mummified head in order to maintain a powerful incentive to the parishioners’ faith.
Greater size of the gluteus maximus muscle in humans compared to non-human primates has been cons... more Greater size of the gluteus maximus muscle in humans compared to non-human primates has been considered an indication of its function in bipedal posture and gait, especially running capabilities. Our aim was to find out how the size of the gluteus maximus muscle varies according to sports while controlling for variation in muscle strength and body weight. Data on gluteus maximus muscle cross-sectional area (MCA) were acquired from magnetic resonance images of the hip region of female athletes (N=91), and physically active controls (N=20). Dynamic muscle force was measured as counter movement jump and isometric knee extension force as leg press. Five exercise loading groups were created: high impact (volleyball players and high-jumpers), odd impact (soccer and squash players), high magnitude (power-lifters), repetitive impact (endurance runners) and repetitive non-impact (swimmers) loadings. Individuals in high impact, odd impact or high-magnitude loading groups had greater MCA compared to those of controls, requiring powerful hip extension, trunk stabilization in rapid directional change and high explosive muscle force. Larger body size and greater muscle strength were associated with larger MCA. An increase in dynamic force was associated with larger MCA, but the strength of this relationship varied with body weight. Thus, gluteal adaptation in humans promotes powerful lower limb movements required in sprinting and rapid changes in direction, as well as maintenance and stabilization of an erect trunk which also provides a platform for powerful motions of the upper limbs. These movements have likely evolved to facilitate food acquisition, including hunting.
Greater size of the gluteus maximus muscle in humans compared to non-human primates has been cons... more Greater size of the gluteus maximus muscle in humans compared to non-human primates has been considered an indication of its function in bipedal posture and gait, especially running capabilities. Our aim was to find out how the size of the gluteus maximus muscle varies according to sports while controlling for variation in muscle strength and body weight. Data on gluteus maximus muscle cross-sectional area (MCA) were acquired from magnetic resonance images of the hip region of female athletes (N=91), and physically active controls (N=20). Dynamic muscle force was measured as counter movement jump and isometric knee extension force as leg press. Five exercise loading groups were created: high impact (volleyball players and high-jumpers), odd impact (soccer and squash players), high magnitude (power-lifters), repetitive impact (endurance runners) and repetitive non-impact (swimmers) loadings. Individuals in high impact, odd impact or high-magnitude loading groups had greater MCA compared to those of controls, requiring powerful hip extension, trunk stabilization in rapid directional change and high explosive muscle force. Larger body size and greater muscle strength were associated with larger MCA. An increase in dynamic force was associated with larger MCA, but the strength of this relationship varied with body weight. Thus, gluteal adaptation in humans promotes powerful lower limb movements required in sprinting and rapid changes in direction, as well as maintenance and stabilization of an erect trunk which also provides a platform for powerful motions of the upper limbs. These movements have likely evolved to facilitate food acquisition, including hunting.
Abstract The aim of this study is to look at upper body functional modifications caused by mechan... more Abstract The aim of this study is to look at upper body functional modifications caused by mechanical loading. We look at 4th lumbar vertebra as well as fibrous humeral musculoskeletal stress markers (MSMs). This study uses information provided by ...
We present the first two cases of DISH observed in ancient human remains in Finland: one in the o... more We present the first two cases of DISH observed in ancient human remains in Finland: one in the osseus remains of an individual from the Åland Archipelago (60ºN 20ºE), the other in the naturally mummified remains of Vicar Nikolaus Rungius (†1629) from southern Lapland (66ºN 24ºE). In addition to being both males of mature/senile age that died in Finland in the 17th century, the only thing in common between these two individuals that lived rather far apart is that they both belonged to the upper class. This would imply an abundant diet rich in animal protein and fats and it agrees with the obvious signs of overweight in Rungius' mummy.
The aim of this study is to consider the occurrence of cribra orbitalia as an indicator of malari... more The aim of this study is to consider the occurrence of cribra orbitalia as an indicator of malaria in Ii Hamina in the 15th to 16th century. The crania of 102 adult skeletons from the 2009 excavation of the old Ii Hamina churchyard were examined for cribra orbitalia. These lesions were interpreted as signs of anemia possibly caused by malaria. The lesions were present in a fifth of the total studied population and their prevalence was similar in both sexes. This suggests that the anemia was not caused by nutritional but by pathogenic stress, which would nominate malaria as one possible causative factor. What is more, the environmental and cultural conditions were favorable for endemic malaria. However, malaria is only one possible explanation for the occurrence of cribra orbitalia in Ii Hamina.
El objetivo del estudio es considerar la aparición de cribra orbitalia en relación con la malaria entre los siglos XV y XVI en Ii Hamina. Los cráneos de 102 esqueletos recuperados en la excavación de 2009 en el cementerio de la antigua iglesia de Puerto de Ii fueron examinados para estudiar la cribra orbitalia. Estas lesiones fueron interpretadas como signos de anemia, posiblemente causados por malaria. Las lesiones estaban presentes en la quinta parte de la población, y ambos sexos exhibían una prevalencia similar, sugiriendo que la causa más probable de la anemia era estrés patogénico en lugar de nutricional, por lo que la malaria sería una causa posible. Además, las condiciones ambientales y culturales eran favorables para la malaria endémica. Sin embargo, esta es sólo una posible explicación de la aparición de cribra orbitalia.
We evaluate whether entheseal changes (EC) can be used to reconstruct activity among reindeer to ... more We evaluate whether entheseal changes (EC) can be used to reconstruct activity among reindeer to study its domestication. Humans influence reindeer activity patterns through corralling, which renders them less mobile than free-ranging reindeer and through use as draught animals, which can result in overuse of certain muscles. There is also variation within free-ranging reindeer in baseline activity levels due to environmental factors. Other sources of variation at entheses include age, sex, pathology, size, and genetic disposition. Here we examine if there are differences in the entheses between zoo versus free-ranging reindeer. We recorded the entheses of reindeer long bones using a modified EC scoring system. Weight effects were accounted for by performing analyses separately for specimens under and over 95 kg, but unfortunately age information was lacking. We found that several flexor muscle insertion sites in the ulna were more developed among free-ranging reindeer. This difference is likely due to feeding behaviour. The free-ranging animals were digging for lichen from under the snow whereas the zoo reindeer were fed by their keepers. This difference in entheses, however, was found to be significant only among the heavier reindeer. Among the zoo reindeer, the insertion for Subscapularis muscle was more developed, possibly due to increased time spent immobile with the shoulder-bracing muscle apparatus activated. This difference was significant among the heavier deer and nearly statistically significant among the lighter weight reindeer. Domesticated Siberian draught reindeer fell between zoo and free-ranging reindeer in several tibial entheses. According to these results, some forelimb entheses may be useful to study differences in mobility and feeding patterns between groups of reindeer.
The aim of this study is to consider the occurrence of
cribra orbitalia as an indicator of malari... more The aim of this study is to consider the occurrence of cribra orbitalia as an indicator of malaria in Ii Hamina in the 15th to 16th century. The crania of 102 adult skeletons from the 2009 excavation of the old Ii Hamina churchyard were examined for cribra orbitalia. These lesions were interpreted as signs of anemia possibly caused by malaria. The lesions were present in a fifth of the total studied population and their prevalence was similar in both sexes. This suggests that the anemia was not caused by nutritional but by pathogenic stress, which would nominate malaria as one possible causative factor. What is more, the environmental and cultural conditions were favorable for endemic malaria. However, malaria is only one possible explanation for the occurrence of cribra orbitalia in Ii Hamina.
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Abstract: Church burials, which were customarily made until the 19th century, are responsible for natural mummification of numerous human remains under Northern Finnish churches. These mummies are almost completely unexplored. Thus, adequate, non-invasive methods are needed to document and examine them. To begin with, a general computed tomography scanning was performed on the mummified remains of an early 17th-century vicar from Finnish Lapland. The aim of this paper was to investigate the signs of the dental diseases in the scans. These findings were reflected to 1) the vicar's previous pathological findings, 2) the dental conditions of the contemporary archeological skeletal population of Iin Hamina, and 3) to what is known about the Northern Finnish diet in the 17th century to outline the main features of the vicar’s diet. The results of the previous studies concerning him already suggest abundant diet. Additionally, in the light of historical and osteoarchaeological evidence, the local contemporaneous diet was mainly protein-based, with less significant consumption of carbohydrates as the local economy was not yet based on cultivation of crops but on livestock, hunting and fishing. The dental study did not give us reason to dispute assumptions of his protein/fat rich diet, which is also in accordance with the local diet of his time.
We utilize computed tomography (CT) to study early modern burials once deposited beneath Finnish churches, some of which contain mummified remains. The method allows performing repeated 3-dimentional layer-by-layer dissections not only to the human remains but to the whole burials. We are able to conclude about the burial materials – such as the coffin itself but also the textiles, ornaments, plant particles and other accessories sealed inside it – without harming this unique heritage. The examination functions as a virtual, repeatable, non-invasive excavation. This is the first CT study of Finnish mummies and examination of the artefacts associated with the burials via CT is a relative novelty. The project was initiated with a CT study of the mummified remains of a 17th-century vicar, and coffins of seven sub-adults have been imaged since it. So far we have revealed pathological conditions the vicar suffered from and conclude about the preservation and funerary attires.
the old Keminmaa Church in Finnish Lapland. The parish began exhibiting his preserved body in the 18th century after
which Vicar Rungius – a locally revered man of cloth in life –
gained wide posthumous fame. His dead body became a powerful means to encourage and strengthen people’s faith. The mummy has maintained a human form but has lost its right forearm. On top of that the computed tomography scanning conducted in 2011 revealed that the head was not
normally attached. It is unclear when it happened or how
but a suspicion arose that once the neck was damaged the
head could have fallen to the ground and shattered. A serious concern was whether the head of the mummy was really that of Vicar Rungius as a headless vicar would undoubtedly have prompted a substitution with another
mummified head in order to maintain a powerful incentive to the parishioners’ faith.
El objetivo del estudio es considerar la aparición de cribra orbitalia en relación con la malaria entre los siglos XV y XVI en Ii Hamina. Los cráneos de 102 esqueletos recuperados en la excavación de 2009 en el cementerio de la antigua iglesia de Puerto de Ii fueron examinados para estudiar la cribra orbitalia. Estas lesiones fueron interpretadas como signos de anemia, posiblemente causados por malaria. Las lesiones estaban presentes en la quinta parte de la población, y ambos sexos exhibían una prevalencia similar, sugiriendo que la causa más probable de la anemia era estrés patogénico en lugar de nutricional, por lo que la malaria sería una causa posible. Además, las condiciones ambientales y culturales eran favorables para la malaria endémica. Sin embargo, esta es sólo una posible explicación de la aparición de cribra orbitalia.
factors. Other sources of variation at entheses include age, sex, pathology, size, and genetic disposition.
Here we examine if there are differences in the entheses between zoo versus free-ranging reindeer. We recorded
the entheses of reindeer long bones using a modified EC scoring system. Weight effects were
accounted for by performing analyses separately for specimens under and over 95 kg, but unfortunately
age information was lacking. We found that several flexor muscle insertion sites in the ulna were more developed
among free-ranging reindeer. This difference is likely due to feeding behaviour. The free-ranging animals
were digging for lichen from under the snow whereas the zoo reindeer were fed by their keepers. This
difference in entheses, however, was found to be significant only among the heavier reindeer. Among the
zoo reindeer, the insertion for Subscapularis muscle was more developed, possibly due to increased time
spent immobile with the shoulder-bracing muscle apparatus activated. This difference was significant among
the heavier deer and nearly statistically significant among the lighter weight reindeer. Domesticated Siberian
draught reindeer fell between zoo and free-ranging reindeer in several tibial entheses. According to these results,
some forelimb entheses may be useful to study differences in mobility and feeding patterns between groups of reindeer.
cribra orbitalia as an indicator of malaria in Ii Hamina in the 15th to 16th century. The crania of 102 adult skeletons from the 2009 excavation of the old Ii Hamina churchyard were examined for cribra orbitalia. These lesions were interpreted as signs of anemia possibly caused by malaria. The lesions were present in a fifth of the total studied population and their prevalence was similar in both sexes. This suggests that the anemia was not caused by nutritional but by pathogenic stress, which would nominate malaria as one possible causative factor. What is more, the environmental and cultural conditions were favorable for endemic malaria. However, malaria is only one possible explanation for the occurrence of cribra orbitalia in Ii Hamina.
Abstract: Church burials, which were customarily made until the 19th century, are responsible for natural mummification of numerous human remains under Northern Finnish churches. These mummies are almost completely unexplored. Thus, adequate, non-invasive methods are needed to document and examine them. To begin with, a general computed tomography scanning was performed on the mummified remains of an early 17th-century vicar from Finnish Lapland. The aim of this paper was to investigate the signs of the dental diseases in the scans. These findings were reflected to 1) the vicar's previous pathological findings, 2) the dental conditions of the contemporary archeological skeletal population of Iin Hamina, and 3) to what is known about the Northern Finnish diet in the 17th century to outline the main features of the vicar’s diet. The results of the previous studies concerning him already suggest abundant diet. Additionally, in the light of historical and osteoarchaeological evidence, the local contemporaneous diet was mainly protein-based, with less significant consumption of carbohydrates as the local economy was not yet based on cultivation of crops but on livestock, hunting and fishing. The dental study did not give us reason to dispute assumptions of his protein/fat rich diet, which is also in accordance with the local diet of his time.
We utilize computed tomography (CT) to study early modern burials once deposited beneath Finnish churches, some of which contain mummified remains. The method allows performing repeated 3-dimentional layer-by-layer dissections not only to the human remains but to the whole burials. We are able to conclude about the burial materials – such as the coffin itself but also the textiles, ornaments, plant particles and other accessories sealed inside it – without harming this unique heritage. The examination functions as a virtual, repeatable, non-invasive excavation. This is the first CT study of Finnish mummies and examination of the artefacts associated with the burials via CT is a relative novelty. The project was initiated with a CT study of the mummified remains of a 17th-century vicar, and coffins of seven sub-adults have been imaged since it. So far we have revealed pathological conditions the vicar suffered from and conclude about the preservation and funerary attires.
the old Keminmaa Church in Finnish Lapland. The parish began exhibiting his preserved body in the 18th century after
which Vicar Rungius – a locally revered man of cloth in life –
gained wide posthumous fame. His dead body became a powerful means to encourage and strengthen people’s faith. The mummy has maintained a human form but has lost its right forearm. On top of that the computed tomography scanning conducted in 2011 revealed that the head was not
normally attached. It is unclear when it happened or how
but a suspicion arose that once the neck was damaged the
head could have fallen to the ground and shattered. A serious concern was whether the head of the mummy was really that of Vicar Rungius as a headless vicar would undoubtedly have prompted a substitution with another
mummified head in order to maintain a powerful incentive to the parishioners’ faith.
El objetivo del estudio es considerar la aparición de cribra orbitalia en relación con la malaria entre los siglos XV y XVI en Ii Hamina. Los cráneos de 102 esqueletos recuperados en la excavación de 2009 en el cementerio de la antigua iglesia de Puerto de Ii fueron examinados para estudiar la cribra orbitalia. Estas lesiones fueron interpretadas como signos de anemia, posiblemente causados por malaria. Las lesiones estaban presentes en la quinta parte de la población, y ambos sexos exhibían una prevalencia similar, sugiriendo que la causa más probable de la anemia era estrés patogénico en lugar de nutricional, por lo que la malaria sería una causa posible. Además, las condiciones ambientales y culturales eran favorables para la malaria endémica. Sin embargo, esta es sólo una posible explicación de la aparición de cribra orbitalia.
factors. Other sources of variation at entheses include age, sex, pathology, size, and genetic disposition.
Here we examine if there are differences in the entheses between zoo versus free-ranging reindeer. We recorded
the entheses of reindeer long bones using a modified EC scoring system. Weight effects were
accounted for by performing analyses separately for specimens under and over 95 kg, but unfortunately
age information was lacking. We found that several flexor muscle insertion sites in the ulna were more developed
among free-ranging reindeer. This difference is likely due to feeding behaviour. The free-ranging animals
were digging for lichen from under the snow whereas the zoo reindeer were fed by their keepers. This
difference in entheses, however, was found to be significant only among the heavier reindeer. Among the
zoo reindeer, the insertion for Subscapularis muscle was more developed, possibly due to increased time
spent immobile with the shoulder-bracing muscle apparatus activated. This difference was significant among
the heavier deer and nearly statistically significant among the lighter weight reindeer. Domesticated Siberian
draught reindeer fell between zoo and free-ranging reindeer in several tibial entheses. According to these results,
some forelimb entheses may be useful to study differences in mobility and feeding patterns between groups of reindeer.
cribra orbitalia as an indicator of malaria in Ii Hamina in the 15th to 16th century. The crania of 102 adult skeletons from the 2009 excavation of the old Ii Hamina churchyard were examined for cribra orbitalia. These lesions were interpreted as signs of anemia possibly caused by malaria. The lesions were present in a fifth of the total studied population and their prevalence was similar in both sexes. This suggests that the anemia was not caused by nutritional but by pathogenic stress, which would nominate malaria as one possible causative factor. What is more, the environmental and cultural conditions were favorable for endemic malaria. However, malaria is only one possible explanation for the occurrence of cribra orbitalia in Ii Hamina.