- Paleopathology, Paleoanthropology, Bioarchaeology, Prehistoric Archaeology, Trauma Studies, Indigenous Studies, and 18 morePatologia, Human Population Genetics, Middle Pleistocene, Ortopedia, Enthesial Changes, Skeletal Biology, Osteoporosis, Paleoethnobotany (Anthropology), X-Ray Studies, Coprolite analysis, Parasitology, Paleoparasitology, Ethnology and Anthropology of the Guaranis and Polynesians, Human Evolution, Biological Anthropology, Dental Anthropology, Physical Anthropology, and Pathoecologyedit
This article presents an archaeoparasitological analysis of a child mummy from the medieval Zeleniy Yar burial ground (12-13th centuries AD) located in the northern part of western Siberia. Analysis of samples from the intestinal contents... more
This article presents an archaeoparasitological analysis of a child mummy from the medieval Zeleniy Yar burial ground (12-13th centuries AD) located in the northern part of western Siberia. Analysis of samples from the intestinal contents of the child mummy revealed eggs of Opisthorchis felineus, suggesting that people of the region consumed raw or undercooked fish during the Middle Ages. Palynological data suggest that death probably occurred in the winter since this sample was free of 'environmental-type' pollen from wind-pollinated plants. The sample was also free of the so-called 'economic-type' pollen, suggesting that medicinal plants, namely different teas or herbs, had not been consumed, suggesting that no attempts were made to cure the ill child using these agents.
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The identification of parasites in ancient human remains can address questions of past health, disease, mobility and mortuary customs. Archaeoparasitological evidence from Russia is, however, almost absent. This study presents the first... more
The identification of parasites in ancient human remains can address questions of past health, disease, mobility and mortuary customs. Archaeoparasitological evidence from Russia is, however, almost absent. This study presents the first such evidence in the form of a helminth infection in a mummified individual from the southern Siberian site of Doge-Bary II, the burial ground of a nomadic Iron Age community. Despite the removal of the intestines as part of the mummification procedure, the residual eggs of Trichuris trichiura, a non-indigenous species of whipworm, were detected. This evidence provides the first confirmation of prehistoric contact between southern Siberian nomads and distant agricultural areas, such as China and Central Asia.
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Russia, both as the USSR and the Russian federation, provided a source of parasitological theory for decades. A key figure in Russian parasitology was Yevgeny Pavlovsky. He developed the nidus concept of Pavlovsky provided the conceptual... more
Russia, both as the USSR and the Russian federation, provided a source of parasitological theory for decades. A key figure in Russian parasitology was Yevgeny Pavlovsky. He developed the nidus concept of Pavlovsky provided the conceptual basis for the field of pathoecology. He also coined the term " Paleoparasitology ". Pathoecology is a foundation concept in archaeological parasitology. Paleoparasitology, as defined by Pavlovsky, is an avenue for understanding of host parasite evolution over very long time periods. These contributions are not fully recognized internationally. Similarly, the long history of Russian paleontological and archaeological investigations are not fully known. Most recently, discoveries from archaeological sites show that a pattern of zoonotic infection prevailed among archaeological populations in central Russia. This included a case of apparent host switching of beef tapeworm infection to reindeer. This latter discovery raises the possibility that archaeological parasitology can contribute to the new Stockholm Paradigm of ecological fitting, host switching, and emergent disease. This review covers all of the parasitological discoveries from ancient Russia and illustrates how Russian models and discoveries defined parasitological theory in the past and present.
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This study addresses caries prevalence in Ayaly and Kaurdak-Sargat groups of Siberian Tatars living in the Omsk Region of the Irtysh. Judging by dental remains from the Okunevo VII and Bergamak II cemeteries (17th–18th centuries), the... more
This study addresses caries prevalence in Ayaly and Kaurdak-Sargat groups of Siberian Tatars living in the Omsk Region of the Irtysh. Judging by dental remains from the Okunevo VII and Bergamak II cemeteries (17th–18th centuries), the caries frequency among those people was similar to that in the late medieval population of northwestern Siberia. The diet of both these populations apparently consisted mostly of meat. However, a somewhat higher caries frequency among Siberian Tatars indicates a greater amount of carbohydrates. Later (18th to early 20th century) Tatars of Chertaly I, Toksay I and II, Tyulchakovo, and Letniy Kaurdak) exhibit a caries frequency similar to that found in 18th–19th century Russian peasants of western Urals, possibly evidencing a similar proportion of refined carbohydrates in the diet. Difference between earlier and later Tatar groups attests to an increasing role of agriculture due to the immigration of Russians and, later, of Tatars from the Volga-Ural region.
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Afontova Gora II is a Late Palaeolithic site dated between 15000 and 11000 years BP. The archaeological material is typical for the Afontova culture. The lithic industry is characterized by pebble tools and sidescrapers, as well as... more
Afontova Gora II is a Late Palaeolithic site dated between 15000 and 11000 years BP. The archaeological material is typical for the Afontova culture. The lithic industry is characterized by pebble tools and sidescrapers, as well as narrowfront and wedge-shaped microcores associated with microblade production. Raw material is dominated by small and big pebbles of alluvial origin from the Yenisei river bed (siltstone, argillite, sandstone, dolerite, quartzite, microquartzite). Big cores are not numerous and belong to either single-platform or radial types. Wedge-shaped microcores show a low level of standardization. The tool assemblage is dominated by big scrapers represented by a big variety of forms. The site yielded a number of anthropological finds, including a mandible and five teeth, which appear to have belonged to a young female of 14—15 years old. One more bone, a vertebrae, belongs to another female, who was older than 20 years. Some nonutilitarian
items, such as stone beads, a decorated ivory blade and ivory disks, were found too.
items, such as stone beads, a decorated ivory blade and ivory disks, were found too.
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An excavation of the Vesakoyakha II-IV and Nyamboyto I burial grounds was conducted during the 2014 field season, and soil samples from intact burials dating from the 19th and 20th centuries, respectively, were analyzed to determine... more
An excavation of the Vesakoyakha II-IV and Nyamboyto I burial grounds was conducted during the 2014 field season, and soil samples from intact burials dating from the 19th and 20th centuries, respectively, were analyzed to determine interactions between parasites and host/vectors. Considering the discovery of Diphyllobothrium sp. and Taenia sp. eggs in soil samples from the pelvic region, diphyllobothriasis was the most frequent helminthic infection among the Taz Nenets. The Nyamboyto Nenets mainly consumed uncooked fish, while the Vesakoyakha Nenets had a bigger variety in food choices, including reindeer meat. Nenets children were given raw fish from early childhood. The paleoparasitological results corroborate rare ethnographic records about the consumption of uncooked reindeer cerebrum which led to beef tapeworm helminthiases. This is the first parasitological report of helminthic diseases among the Taz Nenets, and, as such, it provides insight into their subsistence activities and food patterns and broadens our understanding of their health condition.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
This paper examines caries prevalence in Tobolsk group of Siberian Tatars who left the Ostrovnye Yurty burial ground (19th – early 20th centuries). The observed caries frequency and the caries rate adjusted using proportional correction... more
This paper examines caries prevalence in Tobolsk group of Siberian Tatars who left the Ostrovnye Yurty
burial ground (19th – early 20th centuries).
The observed caries frequency and the caries rate adjusted using proportional correction factor (PCF)
were 3.3% and 11.6%, respectively. The high value of the latter one points to a large caries prevalence in the
population under study.
Estimates of PCF calculated separately for each sex evidences a higher rate among males than in
females (14.3% and 7.8% respectively). I also found that the rate the PCF adjusted caries rate was higher in
the «matures» age category both in male and female groups than in younger age categories. Caries frequencies
were greater on posterior teeth that on the anterior ones in all age groups of both.
Caries frequency in the population under study was greater than that hunting and fishing societies of
West Siberia, it is similar to that in the Russian population of the Urals (Verkhoturie, Kamensk-Uralsk, Revda),
and close to that in the contemporaneity Selkup group of Vargananzhino and Ust-Balyk. Therefore, I may
infer that there existed similar food patterns in all aforementioned groups.
The author recommends use of PCF, which accounts for caries on teeth lost antemortem as well as
postmortem, hence generating a more differentiated and realistic estimates about caries frequency in past
populations.
burial ground (19th – early 20th centuries).
The observed caries frequency and the caries rate adjusted using proportional correction factor (PCF)
were 3.3% and 11.6%, respectively. The high value of the latter one points to a large caries prevalence in the
population under study.
Estimates of PCF calculated separately for each sex evidences a higher rate among males than in
females (14.3% and 7.8% respectively). I also found that the rate the PCF adjusted caries rate was higher in
the «matures» age category both in male and female groups than in younger age categories. Caries frequencies
were greater on posterior teeth that on the anterior ones in all age groups of both.
Caries frequency in the population under study was greater than that hunting and fishing societies of
West Siberia, it is similar to that in the Russian population of the Urals (Verkhoturie, Kamensk-Uralsk, Revda),
and close to that in the contemporaneity Selkup group of Vargananzhino and Ust-Balyk. Therefore, I may
infer that there existed similar food patterns in all aforementioned groups.
The author recommends use of PCF, which accounts for caries on teeth lost antemortem as well as
postmortem, hence generating a more differentiated and realistic estimates about caries frequency in past
populations.
Research Interests:
We present a paleoparasitological analysis of the medieval Zeleniy Yar burial ground of the XII-XII centuries AD located in the northern part of Western Siberia. Parasite eggs, identified as eggs of Opisthorchis felineus, were found in... more
We present a paleoparasitological analysis of the medieval Zeleniy Yar burial ground of the XII-XII centuries
AD located in the northern part of Western Siberia. Parasite eggs, identified as eggs of Opisthorchis felineus, were
found in the samples from the pelvic area of a one year old infant buried at the site. Presence of these eggs in the soil
samples from the infant’s abdomen suggests that he/she was infected with opisthorchiasis and imply consumption
of undercooked fish. Ethnographic records collected among the population of the northern part of Western Siberia
reveal numerous cases of feeding raw fish to their children. Zeleniy Yar case of opisthorchiasis suggests that this
dietary custom has persisted from at least medieval times.
AD located in the northern part of Western Siberia. Parasite eggs, identified as eggs of Opisthorchis felineus, were
found in the samples from the pelvic area of a one year old infant buried at the site. Presence of these eggs in the soil
samples from the infant’s abdomen suggests that he/she was infected with opisthorchiasis and imply consumption
of undercooked fish. Ethnographic records collected among the population of the northern part of Western Siberia
reveal numerous cases of feeding raw fish to their children. Zeleniy Yar case of opisthorchiasis suggests that this
dietary custom has persisted from at least medieval times.
Research Interests:
This paper presents paleoparasitological results from the Kikki-Akki burial ground dating from 17th to the early 19th centuries. Examination of sacrum projection and sacral foramina samples revealed helminth eggs of Diphyllobothrium... more
This paper presents paleoparasitological results from the Kikki-Akki burial ground dating from 17th to the early
19th centuries. Examination of sacrum projection and sacral foramina samples revealed helminth eggs of
Diphyllobothrium latum. It proves that the Taz Selkups consumed thermally untreated or slightly treated fish. A
high rate of Diphyllobothriasis in the contemporaneity Selkup group in the area under study points to a continuation
of the same dietary habits.
This study estimated parasite prevalence rate in the Taz Selkup population who used the Kikki-Akki burial
ground, and attempted to reconstruct early humans' dietary habits and health status. Presence of helminth alternate
hosts in different geographical locations allowed us to reconstruct human migration paths in West Siberia.
19th centuries. Examination of sacrum projection and sacral foramina samples revealed helminth eggs of
Diphyllobothrium latum. It proves that the Taz Selkups consumed thermally untreated or slightly treated fish. A
high rate of Diphyllobothriasis in the contemporaneity Selkup group in the area under study points to a continuation
of the same dietary habits.
This study estimated parasite prevalence rate in the Taz Selkup population who used the Kikki-Akki burial
ground, and attempted to reconstruct early humans' dietary habits and health status. Presence of helminth alternate
hosts in different geographical locations allowed us to reconstruct human migration paths in West Siberia.
PALEOANTHROPOLOGY SOCIETY MEETING ABSTRACTS,
CALGARY, CANADA, 8–9 APRIL 2014
CALGARY, CANADA, 8–9 APRIL 2014
Afontova Gora II site is situated in Krasnoyarsk and is known to archaeologists for more 100 years. It is eponymous site of Afontovskaya archaeological culture of Late Paleolithic time and is dated by time span since 11 to 15 kyr. The... more
Afontova Gora II site is situated in Krasnoyarsk and is known to archaeologists for more 100 years. It is eponymous site of Afontovskaya archaeological culture of Late Paleolithic time and is dated by time span since 11 to 15 kyr. The study of site was reopened in 2014 whereas it is necessary to conduct archeological safe operations in the area of bridge building cross the Yenisei River. Two isolated from each other areas were defined in the site. They are confined to second and third terraces above flood-plain of Yenisei River. In course of excavation allocated on the third terrace paleoanthropological materials was found. It is associated with two female individuals of Homo sapiens.
The results of the comprehensive mineralogical-geochemical studies carried out for the first time for bone detritus from human burials of the Bronze-Iron Age belonging to the highly valuable archaeological... more
The results of the comprehensive mineralogical-geochemical studies carried out for the first time for bone detritus from human burials of the Bronze-Iron Age belonging to the highly valuable archaeological monuments are discussed. History of discovery and archaeological studies of Ust-Poluy settlement-sanctu-ary (Salekhard), as well as the microstructure of bone remains and nano-poros-ity of organic-mineral bone composite variations are examined in detail. Bone chemical and microelement composition, X-ray diffraction, infrared-spectro-scopic and crystal-chemical properties of bioapatite are studied. For the first time, the bone collagen from the archaeological objects is isolated and investi-gated, both its amino-acid composition and degree of the amino-acid racemiza-tion is determined. The data about the isotopic composition of carbonate carbon and oxygen in bioapatite, as well as carbon and nitrogen in collagen is obtained. Based on the results derived, the conclusion is drawn that bone detritus appar-ently had belonged to a «pra-poluy» population of fishermen-hunters, some is-sues on the ecology of their habitat, diet, and the results of fossilization of bone remains are discussed.