El presente trabajo examina variaciones dietéticas asociadas a diferencias de estatus al interior... more El presente trabajo examina variaciones dietéticas asociadas a diferencias de estatus al interior de comunidades jerarquizadas utilizando indicadores de patología oral. En los Andes Centrales, a pesar de la existencia comprobada de profundas divisiones sociales, la etnohistoria sugiere pocas diferencias dietéticas durante periodos tardíos, pero los datos bioarqueológicos que sustenten esta afirmación son escasos. Se analizaron 145 individuos exhumados del cementerio Los Pinos del valle de Huaura, costa central peruana (ca. 1200-1300 d.C.). Este conjunto de individuos fue clasificado en tres grupos de estatus social de acuerdo con la riqueza en ofrendas de los entierros. En dicha muestra se estudiaron 14 indicadores de patología oral. Los resultados muestran que todos los individuos de Los Pinos, independientemente de su grupo de estatus, estaban expuestos a una dieta considerablemente cariogénica y exhiben un patrón de lesiones común en el que predominan caries oclusales y una altísima proporción de caries cervicales (que parece estar estrechamente asociada al consumo de chicha), remanentes radiculares y abundantes pérdidas dentales en vida (con una mayor propensión en mujeres). Los datos de patología oral sugieren que el estatus social no condicionó el consumo diferenciado de carbohidratos y confirman el carácter extendido del hábito de coqueo en todos los grupos sociales, con un ligero predominio en individuos masculinos de estatus superior. Palabras claves: patología oral, paleodieta, Intermedio Tardío, Señorío Huaura-Chancay. In this paper we examine dietary contrasts associated with differences in status within hierarchical communities using oral pathology markers. In the Central Andes, despite the demonstrated existence of deep social divisions, ethno-history suggests few differences in diet between groups during later prehistoric periods, but this claim has little bioarchaeological support. A sample of 145 individuals from the cemetery of Los Pinos of the Huaura Valley, in the central Peruvian coast (ca. 1200-1300 AD), was classified into three groups according to social status, number of offerings and wealth of burials. Then we registered 14 markers of oral pathology. The results show that all individuals in Los Pinos, regardless of their social status group, were exposed to a significant cariogenic diet and exhibited a common pattern of lesions: occlusal caries, high proportion of cervical caries (which appears to be closely associated to consumption of maize beer), gross caries and root remains and high frequencies of ante mor-tem tooth loss (with higher tendency in females). Oral pathology data suggests that social status did not produce differentiated consumption of carbohydrates and confirms the widespread coca leaf chewing habit in all groups, with a slight predominance in male individuals of higher status.
A partir da análise da escavação do Locus 2 no sambaqui Jabuticabeira II, no sul de Santa Catarin... more A partir da análise da escavação do Locus 2 no sambaqui Jabuticabeira II, no sul de Santa Catarina, foi proposta a existência de um grupo de afinidade composto pelos indivíduos sepultados nesse local em um intervalo de tempo circunscrito. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi testar a hipótese de que os indivíduos do Locus 2 apresentam uma afinidade biológica maior entre si do que em relação aos demais indivíduos exumados de outros loci. Para tanto, dados craniométricos de 26 indivíduos foram analisados usando testes estatísticos. Nossos resultados não apoiam a hipótese de que os indivíduos do Locus 2 apresentem maior afinidade biológica entre si. À luz de dados da literatura, outros fatores biológicos também não corroboram a existência do grupo de afinidade. É possível que outros fatores, como os culturais, tenham influenciado a decisão de quem seria sepultado nesse Locus.
Giardini, Ligia Benedetto; Eggers, Sabine. Prehistoric health and disease in Point Hope. Anthropo... more Giardini, Ligia Benedetto; Eggers, Sabine. Prehistoric health and disease in Point Hope. Anthropological Papers of the University of Alaska, v. 4, p. 79-86, 2005.
O projeto “Padrão de assentamento e formação de sambaquis: arqueologia e preservação em Santa Cat... more O projeto “Padrão de assentamento e formação de sambaquis: arqueologia e preservação em Santa Catarina” foi criado em 1995 por Paulo De Blasis e Edna Morley. É uma investigação conjunta de arqueólogos brasileiros e americanos e é coordenado por Paul Fish, Maria Dulce Gaspar, Suzanne Fish e Paulo De Blasis, sendo apoiado pela Wenner Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research, Heins Foundation, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP), Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional (IPHAN), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Universidade de São Paulo (USP). O projeto tem como objetivo investigar o processo de formação dos sambaquis e o padrão de assentamento da costa Sudeste do Brasil. Visa o estudo da ocupação do litoral a partir dos seguintes aspectos:1 – a contextualização ambiental dos sambaquis percebendo-os como parte de um sistema de assentamento e a análise detalhada de alguns tipos de sítios. 2 – o estudo dos sambaquis como uma construção intencional e não apenas como o resultado de descarte de restos alimentares, 3 – a pesquisa etnográfica com os pescadores tradicionais que dependem dos recursos aquáticos e que estão familiarizados com o uso de pequenos botes 4 – a cadeia de atividades relacionada com a coleta de moluscos.
A partir del registro material se ha asumido que las sociedades Formativas Tardías (700 a.C. a 10... more A partir del registro material se ha asumido que las sociedades Formativas Tardías (700 a.C. a 100 d.C.) del litoral Paracas evolucionaron desde una subsistencia principalmente pesquera a una principalmente agrícola hacia el inicio de nuestra era. No obstante, los inventarios de varios sitios de la región, sugieren una dieta variada que incluía, además de proteína marina, carbohidratos cultivados en proporciones desconocidas. Para aproximarnos a las variaciones en las dietas costeras del período, se analizaron los restos de 56 individuos de tres ocupaciones: Karwas (700 a 550 a.C.), Paracas Cavernas (550 a 260 a.C.), y Paracas Necrópolis (260 a.C. a 100 d.C.), desde una perspectiva bioantropológica. El análisis de patología oral muestra patrones similares en las tres poblaciones, compatibles con una dieta altamente cariogénica y blanda. Asimismo, hay indicadores de hábito de coqueo en Paracas Cavernas y Paracas Necrópolis. Los datos isotópicos indican un amplio consumo de carbohidratos C3 (tubérculos y leguminosas) que decrece con el tiempo mientras la ingesta de C4 (maíz) aumenta. Los resultados sugieren que el consumo y producción de carbohidratos cultivados estaban bastante desarrollados en la región a mediados del primer milenio a.C.
Based on cultural evidence, it is assumed that the subsistence practices of Late Formative (700 B.C. to A.D. 100) societies from the Paracas peninsula evolved from being fishing-based to agricultural around the beginning of the common era. The inventories of several sites in the region, however, suggest a mixed diet that included marine protein and cultivated carbohydrates in unknown proportions. To test changes in coastal subsistence during this period, the remains of 56 individuals from three occupations (Karwas [700–550 B.C.], Paracas Cavernas [550–260 B.C.], and Paracas Necrópolis [260 B.C. to A.D. 100]) were analyzed using a bioarchaeological approach. The analyses of oral pathology show similar patterns in the three populations, consistent with an extremely cariogenic and soft diet. In addition, evidence of coca leaf chewing was detected in Paracas Cavernas and Paracas Necropolis. The isotopic signatures show that the large amounts of C3 carbohydrate intake (tubers and legumes) decreases, while C4 carbohydrate (maize) intake increases, supplemented with marine protein. The results of these data suggest that the consumption and possibly the production of cultivated carbohydrates were highly developed in the region since the mid-first millennium B.C.
The present paper aims to reconstruct lifestyle and health parameters of three populations from P... more The present paper aims to reconstruct lifestyle and health parameters of three populations from Puémape site on the Peruvian north coast, Central Andes, active during the Formative Period (2500-1 B.C.). Since the factors that led to social complexity and its relation to crop-based subsistence are still being discussed, this analysis of 85 well-preserved individuals
using 12 osteological markers for nutritional and functional stress, infectious diseases, and interpersonal violence offers the opportunity to understand the biological dimension of this process. Although we observe auditory exostosis in all samples, indicating the continuing importance of marine resources, other paleopathological findings, in accordance with archaeological data, support the idea of profound changes in lifestyle related to the rise of social complexity in the region. These include a 10 cm height decrease, changes in nutritional stress markers, and an increase in degenerative joint diseases in vertebra but not in the appendicular skeleton, whereas infectious diseases and violent trauma became more frequent. Thus, in Puémape we witness considerable changes in the way of life across the Formative period, associated with changes in diet, division of labor, and social stratification.
During the early Holocene two main paleoamerican cultures thrived in Brazil: the Tradição Nordest... more During the early Holocene two main paleoamerican cultures thrived in Brazil: the Tradição Nordeste in the semi-desertic Sertão and the Tradição Itaparica in the high plains of the Planalto Central. Here we report on paleodietary singals of a Paleoamerican found in a third Brazilian ecological setting – a riverine shellmound, or sambaqui, located in the Atlantic forest. Most sambaquis are found along the coast. The peoples associated with them subsisted on marine resources. We are reporting a different situation from the oldest recorded riverine sambaqui, called Capelinha. Capelinha is a relatively small sambaqui established along a river 60 km from the Atlantic Ocean coast. It contained the well-preserved remains of a Paleoamerican known as Luzio dated to 9,9456235 years ago; the oldest sambaqui dweller so far. Luzio’s bones were remarkably well preserved and allowed for stable isotopic analysis of diet. Although artifacts found at this riverine site show connections with the Atlantic coast, we show that he represents a population that was dependent on inland resources as opposed to marine coastal resources. After comparing Luzio’s paleodietary data with that of other extant and prehistoric groups, we discuss where his group could have come from, if terrestrial diet persisted in riverine sambaquis and how Luzio fits within the discussion of the replacement of paleamerican by amerindian morphology. This study adds to the evidence that shows a greater complexity in the prehistory of the colonization of and the adaptations to the New World.
The origin of syphilis is still controversial. Different research avenues explore its fascinating... more The origin of syphilis is still controversial. Different research avenues explore its fascinating history. Here we employed a new integrative approach, where paleopathology and molecular analyses are combined. As an exercise to test the validity of this approach we examined different hypotheses on the origin of syphilis and other human diseases caused by treponemes (treponematoses). Initially, we constructed a worldwide map containing all accessible reports on palaeopathological evidences of treponematoses before Columbus's return to Europe. Then, we selected the oldest ones to calibrate the time of the most recent common ancestor of Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum, T. pallidum subsp. endemicum and T. pallidum subsp. pertenue in phylogenetic analyses with 21 genetic regions of different T. pallidum strains previously reported. Finally, we estimated the treponemes' evolutionary rate to test three scenarios: A) if treponematoses accompanied human evolution since Homo erectus; B) if venereal syphilis arose very recently from less virulent strains caught in the New World about 500 years ago, and C) if it emerged in the Americas between 16,500 and 5,000 years ago. Two of the resulting evolutionary rates were unlikely and do not explain the existent osseous evidence. Thus, treponematoses, as we know them today, did not emerge with H. erectus, nor did venereal syphilis appear only five centuries ago. However, considering 16,500 years before present (yBP) as the time of the first colonization of the Americas, and approximately 5,000 yBP as the oldest probable evidence of venereal syphilis in the world, we could not entirely reject hypothesis C. We confirm that syphilis seems to have emerged in this time span, since the resulting evolutionary rate is compatible with those observed in other bacteria. In contrast, if the claims of precolumbian venereal syphilis outside the Americas are taken into account, the place of origin remains unsolved. Finally, the endeavor of joining paleopathology and phylogenetics proved to be a fruitful and promising approach for the study of infectious diseases.
Dental markers have been used to unravel particularities of paleodiet, subsistence, social struct... more Dental markers have been used to unravel particularities of paleodiet, subsistence, social structure, and health. This article aims to compare oral pathology among four pre-Columbian groups with different degrees of agricultural and socio-cultural development but comparable ecological conditions who lived on the coastal desert of Peru. Three of these groups are assigned to distinct phases of the Formative Period (2500–1 BC), a time critical for our understanding of the development of agriculture and social complexity. The fourth group corresponds to the Late Intermediate Period (1000–1470 AD), when agriculture had its apogee and society was highly stratified. In this study we test whether there is an increase (1) in the frequency of carious lesions and (2) in caries depth, and (3) if there is a shift from occlusal to extra-occlusal caries locations with the development of agriculture. Therefore, we analyze the frequencies of carious lesions and antemortem tooth loss (AMTL), the caries distributions by age, sex, and type of tooth, as well as the tissues affected by, and the location of the carious lesions. Since there are no significant differences in the frequencies of carious lesions and AMTL between the groups, we reject hypothesis 1. In contrast, caries depth does increase, and caries location changes from occlusal to extra-occlusal sites with agricultural development. However, we can only corroborate hypothesis 2 and 3 when taking into consideration dental wear. Thus, we recommend that caries depth and locations should be used with evaluations of dental wear to reconstruct subsistence in ancient populations. Am J Phys Anthropol 143:75–91, 2010.
Homo-journal of Comparative Human Biology, Jan 1, 2008
The contact of inlandand coastal prehistoric groups in Brazil is believed to have been restricted... more The contact of inlandand coastal prehistoric groups in Brazil is believed to have been restricted to regions with no geographical barrier, as is the case in the Ribeira de Iguape valley.The inland osteological collection from the riverine shellmound Moraes (5800–4500BP) represents a unique opportunity to testthis as sumption for this region. Despite cultural similarities between riverine and coastal shellmounds, important ecological and site distribution differences are expected to impacton lifestyle. The purpose of this study is thus to documentand interpret healt hand lifestyle indicators in Moraes incomparison to coastal shellmound groups. Specifically wetest if the rare evidence of fish and mollusc remains in the riverine shellmound led to (a) higher caries rates and (b) lower auditory exostosis frequency and (c) if the small size of the riverine shellmound translates in to reduced demographic density and thusrarity of communicable infectious diseases.Of the three hypotheses, (a) was confirmed, (b) was rejectedand (c) was partly rejected. Bioanthropologica lsimilarities between Moraes and coastal shellmounds include auditory exostoses with equally high frequencies; significantly more frequent osteoarthritis in upper than inl ower limbs; cranial and dental morphological affinities and low frequencies of violent trauma. However, there are also important differences: Moraes subsisted on a much broader protein diet and consumed more cariogenic food, but showed as tature even shorter than coastal groups. Thus, despite the contact also suggested by treponematoses in both site types, there was enough time for the people at the riverine site to adapt to local conditions.
El presente trabajo examina variaciones dietéticas asociadas a diferencias de estatus al interior... more El presente trabajo examina variaciones dietéticas asociadas a diferencias de estatus al interior de comunidades jerarquizadas utilizando indicadores de patología oral. En los Andes Centrales, a pesar de la existencia comprobada de profundas divisiones sociales, la etnohistoria sugiere pocas diferencias dietéticas durante periodos tardíos, pero los datos bioarqueológicos que sustenten esta afirmación son escasos. Se analizaron 145 individuos exhumados del cementerio Los Pinos del valle de Huaura, costa central peruana (ca. 1200-1300 d.C.). Este conjunto de individuos fue clasificado en tres grupos de estatus social de acuerdo con la riqueza en ofrendas de los entierros. En dicha muestra se estudiaron 14 indicadores de patología oral. Los resultados muestran que todos los individuos de Los Pinos, independientemente de su grupo de estatus, estaban expuestos a una dieta considerablemente cariogénica y exhiben un patrón de lesiones común en el que predominan caries oclusales y una altísima proporción de caries cervicales (que parece estar estrechamente asociada al consumo de chicha), remanentes radiculares y abundantes pérdidas dentales en vida (con una mayor propensión en mujeres). Los datos de patología oral sugieren que el estatus social no condicionó el consumo diferenciado de carbohidratos y confirman el carácter extendido del hábito de coqueo en todos los grupos sociales, con un ligero predominio en individuos masculinos de estatus superior. Palabras claves: patología oral, paleodieta, Intermedio Tardío, Señorío Huaura-Chancay. In this paper we examine dietary contrasts associated with differences in status within hierarchical communities using oral pathology markers. In the Central Andes, despite the demonstrated existence of deep social divisions, ethno-history suggests few differences in diet between groups during later prehistoric periods, but this claim has little bioarchaeological support. A sample of 145 individuals from the cemetery of Los Pinos of the Huaura Valley, in the central Peruvian coast (ca. 1200-1300 AD), was classified into three groups according to social status, number of offerings and wealth of burials. Then we registered 14 markers of oral pathology. The results show that all individuals in Los Pinos, regardless of their social status group, were exposed to a significant cariogenic diet and exhibited a common pattern of lesions: occlusal caries, high proportion of cervical caries (which appears to be closely associated to consumption of maize beer), gross caries and root remains and high frequencies of ante mor-tem tooth loss (with higher tendency in females). Oral pathology data suggests that social status did not produce differentiated consumption of carbohydrates and confirms the widespread coca leaf chewing habit in all groups, with a slight predominance in male individuals of higher status.
A partir da análise da escavação do Locus 2 no sambaqui Jabuticabeira II, no sul de Santa Catarin... more A partir da análise da escavação do Locus 2 no sambaqui Jabuticabeira II, no sul de Santa Catarina, foi proposta a existência de um grupo de afinidade composto pelos indivíduos sepultados nesse local em um intervalo de tempo circunscrito. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi testar a hipótese de que os indivíduos do Locus 2 apresentam uma afinidade biológica maior entre si do que em relação aos demais indivíduos exumados de outros loci. Para tanto, dados craniométricos de 26 indivíduos foram analisados usando testes estatísticos. Nossos resultados não apoiam a hipótese de que os indivíduos do Locus 2 apresentem maior afinidade biológica entre si. À luz de dados da literatura, outros fatores biológicos também não corroboram a existência do grupo de afinidade. É possível que outros fatores, como os culturais, tenham influenciado a decisão de quem seria sepultado nesse Locus.
Giardini, Ligia Benedetto; Eggers, Sabine. Prehistoric health and disease in Point Hope. Anthropo... more Giardini, Ligia Benedetto; Eggers, Sabine. Prehistoric health and disease in Point Hope. Anthropological Papers of the University of Alaska, v. 4, p. 79-86, 2005.
O projeto “Padrão de assentamento e formação de sambaquis: arqueologia e preservação em Santa Cat... more O projeto “Padrão de assentamento e formação de sambaquis: arqueologia e preservação em Santa Catarina” foi criado em 1995 por Paulo De Blasis e Edna Morley. É uma investigação conjunta de arqueólogos brasileiros e americanos e é coordenado por Paul Fish, Maria Dulce Gaspar, Suzanne Fish e Paulo De Blasis, sendo apoiado pela Wenner Gren Foundation for Anthropological Research, Heins Foundation, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP), Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional (IPHAN), Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ), Universidade de São Paulo (USP). O projeto tem como objetivo investigar o processo de formação dos sambaquis e o padrão de assentamento da costa Sudeste do Brasil. Visa o estudo da ocupação do litoral a partir dos seguintes aspectos:1 – a contextualização ambiental dos sambaquis percebendo-os como parte de um sistema de assentamento e a análise detalhada de alguns tipos de sítios. 2 – o estudo dos sambaquis como uma construção intencional e não apenas como o resultado de descarte de restos alimentares, 3 – a pesquisa etnográfica com os pescadores tradicionais que dependem dos recursos aquáticos e que estão familiarizados com o uso de pequenos botes 4 – a cadeia de atividades relacionada com a coleta de moluscos.
A partir del registro material se ha asumido que las sociedades Formativas Tardías (700 a.C. a 10... more A partir del registro material se ha asumido que las sociedades Formativas Tardías (700 a.C. a 100 d.C.) del litoral Paracas evolucionaron desde una subsistencia principalmente pesquera a una principalmente agrícola hacia el inicio de nuestra era. No obstante, los inventarios de varios sitios de la región, sugieren una dieta variada que incluía, además de proteína marina, carbohidratos cultivados en proporciones desconocidas. Para aproximarnos a las variaciones en las dietas costeras del período, se analizaron los restos de 56 individuos de tres ocupaciones: Karwas (700 a 550 a.C.), Paracas Cavernas (550 a 260 a.C.), y Paracas Necrópolis (260 a.C. a 100 d.C.), desde una perspectiva bioantropológica. El análisis de patología oral muestra patrones similares en las tres poblaciones, compatibles con una dieta altamente cariogénica y blanda. Asimismo, hay indicadores de hábito de coqueo en Paracas Cavernas y Paracas Necrópolis. Los datos isotópicos indican un amplio consumo de carbohidratos C3 (tubérculos y leguminosas) que decrece con el tiempo mientras la ingesta de C4 (maíz) aumenta. Los resultados sugieren que el consumo y producción de carbohidratos cultivados estaban bastante desarrollados en la región a mediados del primer milenio a.C.
Based on cultural evidence, it is assumed that the subsistence practices of Late Formative (700 B.C. to A.D. 100) societies from the Paracas peninsula evolved from being fishing-based to agricultural around the beginning of the common era. The inventories of several sites in the region, however, suggest a mixed diet that included marine protein and cultivated carbohydrates in unknown proportions. To test changes in coastal subsistence during this period, the remains of 56 individuals from three occupations (Karwas [700–550 B.C.], Paracas Cavernas [550–260 B.C.], and Paracas Necrópolis [260 B.C. to A.D. 100]) were analyzed using a bioarchaeological approach. The analyses of oral pathology show similar patterns in the three populations, consistent with an extremely cariogenic and soft diet. In addition, evidence of coca leaf chewing was detected in Paracas Cavernas and Paracas Necropolis. The isotopic signatures show that the large amounts of C3 carbohydrate intake (tubers and legumes) decreases, while C4 carbohydrate (maize) intake increases, supplemented with marine protein. The results of these data suggest that the consumption and possibly the production of cultivated carbohydrates were highly developed in the region since the mid-first millennium B.C.
The present paper aims to reconstruct lifestyle and health parameters of three populations from P... more The present paper aims to reconstruct lifestyle and health parameters of three populations from Puémape site on the Peruvian north coast, Central Andes, active during the Formative Period (2500-1 B.C.). Since the factors that led to social complexity and its relation to crop-based subsistence are still being discussed, this analysis of 85 well-preserved individuals
using 12 osteological markers for nutritional and functional stress, infectious diseases, and interpersonal violence offers the opportunity to understand the biological dimension of this process. Although we observe auditory exostosis in all samples, indicating the continuing importance of marine resources, other paleopathological findings, in accordance with archaeological data, support the idea of profound changes in lifestyle related to the rise of social complexity in the region. These include a 10 cm height decrease, changes in nutritional stress markers, and an increase in degenerative joint diseases in vertebra but not in the appendicular skeleton, whereas infectious diseases and violent trauma became more frequent. Thus, in Puémape we witness considerable changes in the way of life across the Formative period, associated with changes in diet, division of labor, and social stratification.
During the early Holocene two main paleoamerican cultures thrived in Brazil: the Tradição Nordest... more During the early Holocene two main paleoamerican cultures thrived in Brazil: the Tradição Nordeste in the semi-desertic Sertão and the Tradição Itaparica in the high plains of the Planalto Central. Here we report on paleodietary singals of a Paleoamerican found in a third Brazilian ecological setting – a riverine shellmound, or sambaqui, located in the Atlantic forest. Most sambaquis are found along the coast. The peoples associated with them subsisted on marine resources. We are reporting a different situation from the oldest recorded riverine sambaqui, called Capelinha. Capelinha is a relatively small sambaqui established along a river 60 km from the Atlantic Ocean coast. It contained the well-preserved remains of a Paleoamerican known as Luzio dated to 9,9456235 years ago; the oldest sambaqui dweller so far. Luzio’s bones were remarkably well preserved and allowed for stable isotopic analysis of diet. Although artifacts found at this riverine site show connections with the Atlantic coast, we show that he represents a population that was dependent on inland resources as opposed to marine coastal resources. After comparing Luzio’s paleodietary data with that of other extant and prehistoric groups, we discuss where his group could have come from, if terrestrial diet persisted in riverine sambaquis and how Luzio fits within the discussion of the replacement of paleamerican by amerindian morphology. This study adds to the evidence that shows a greater complexity in the prehistory of the colonization of and the adaptations to the New World.
The origin of syphilis is still controversial. Different research avenues explore its fascinating... more The origin of syphilis is still controversial. Different research avenues explore its fascinating history. Here we employed a new integrative approach, where paleopathology and molecular analyses are combined. As an exercise to test the validity of this approach we examined different hypotheses on the origin of syphilis and other human diseases caused by treponemes (treponematoses). Initially, we constructed a worldwide map containing all accessible reports on palaeopathological evidences of treponematoses before Columbus's return to Europe. Then, we selected the oldest ones to calibrate the time of the most recent common ancestor of Treponema pallidum subsp. pallidum, T. pallidum subsp. endemicum and T. pallidum subsp. pertenue in phylogenetic analyses with 21 genetic regions of different T. pallidum strains previously reported. Finally, we estimated the treponemes' evolutionary rate to test three scenarios: A) if treponematoses accompanied human evolution since Homo erectus; B) if venereal syphilis arose very recently from less virulent strains caught in the New World about 500 years ago, and C) if it emerged in the Americas between 16,500 and 5,000 years ago. Two of the resulting evolutionary rates were unlikely and do not explain the existent osseous evidence. Thus, treponematoses, as we know them today, did not emerge with H. erectus, nor did venereal syphilis appear only five centuries ago. However, considering 16,500 years before present (yBP) as the time of the first colonization of the Americas, and approximately 5,000 yBP as the oldest probable evidence of venereal syphilis in the world, we could not entirely reject hypothesis C. We confirm that syphilis seems to have emerged in this time span, since the resulting evolutionary rate is compatible with those observed in other bacteria. In contrast, if the claims of precolumbian venereal syphilis outside the Americas are taken into account, the place of origin remains unsolved. Finally, the endeavor of joining paleopathology and phylogenetics proved to be a fruitful and promising approach for the study of infectious diseases.
Dental markers have been used to unravel particularities of paleodiet, subsistence, social struct... more Dental markers have been used to unravel particularities of paleodiet, subsistence, social structure, and health. This article aims to compare oral pathology among four pre-Columbian groups with different degrees of agricultural and socio-cultural development but comparable ecological conditions who lived on the coastal desert of Peru. Three of these groups are assigned to distinct phases of the Formative Period (2500–1 BC), a time critical for our understanding of the development of agriculture and social complexity. The fourth group corresponds to the Late Intermediate Period (1000–1470 AD), when agriculture had its apogee and society was highly stratified. In this study we test whether there is an increase (1) in the frequency of carious lesions and (2) in caries depth, and (3) if there is a shift from occlusal to extra-occlusal caries locations with the development of agriculture. Therefore, we analyze the frequencies of carious lesions and antemortem tooth loss (AMTL), the caries distributions by age, sex, and type of tooth, as well as the tissues affected by, and the location of the carious lesions. Since there are no significant differences in the frequencies of carious lesions and AMTL between the groups, we reject hypothesis 1. In contrast, caries depth does increase, and caries location changes from occlusal to extra-occlusal sites with agricultural development. However, we can only corroborate hypothesis 2 and 3 when taking into consideration dental wear. Thus, we recommend that caries depth and locations should be used with evaluations of dental wear to reconstruct subsistence in ancient populations. Am J Phys Anthropol 143:75–91, 2010.
Homo-journal of Comparative Human Biology, Jan 1, 2008
The contact of inlandand coastal prehistoric groups in Brazil is believed to have been restricted... more The contact of inlandand coastal prehistoric groups in Brazil is believed to have been restricted to regions with no geographical barrier, as is the case in the Ribeira de Iguape valley.The inland osteological collection from the riverine shellmound Moraes (5800–4500BP) represents a unique opportunity to testthis as sumption for this region. Despite cultural similarities between riverine and coastal shellmounds, important ecological and site distribution differences are expected to impacton lifestyle. The purpose of this study is thus to documentand interpret healt hand lifestyle indicators in Moraes incomparison to coastal shellmound groups. Specifically wetest if the rare evidence of fish and mollusc remains in the riverine shellmound led to (a) higher caries rates and (b) lower auditory exostosis frequency and (c) if the small size of the riverine shellmound translates in to reduced demographic density and thusrarity of communicable infectious diseases.Of the three hypotheses, (a) was confirmed, (b) was rejectedand (c) was partly rejected. Bioanthropologica lsimilarities between Moraes and coastal shellmounds include auditory exostoses with equally high frequencies; significantly more frequent osteoarthritis in upper than inl ower limbs; cranial and dental morphological affinities and low frequencies of violent trauma. However, there are also important differences: Moraes subsisted on a much broader protein diet and consumed more cariogenic food, but showed as tature even shorter than coastal groups. Thus, despite the contact also suggested by treponematoses in both site types, there was enough time for the people at the riverine site to adapt to local conditions.
Entre as histórias de um avô-arqueólogo, seus netos e algumas das Histórias da humanidade, esse é... more Entre as histórias de um avô-arqueólogo, seus netos e algumas das Histórias da humanidade, esse é um livro que se passa em muitos tempos. As crianças Luísa e Felipe viveram a perda de sua jabuti Cristal e procuram respostas para tantas questões que surgiram. Vô Roberto convida os netos a descobrir, através de histórias arqueológicas, como povos de diferentes épocas e lugares viviam, e como eram seus rituais de sepultamento. Juntos deles, vamos desenterrar mistérios muito antigos, do Brasil e de bem longe daqui. Têm histórias trágicas e de amor, de escravo, de guerreiro, de princesa, de pirata. Têm histórias de deserto, de floresta e outra ainda bem gelada. Falamos de caçadores-coletores, de gente que vivia do mar e de enormes impérios. Vamos descobrir o quanto podemos viajar com a arqueologia?
The excavation of shell middens and mounds is an important source of information regarding past h... more The excavation of shell middens and mounds is an important source of information regarding past human diet, settlement, technology, and paleoenvironments. The contributors to this book introduce new ways to study shell-matrix sites, ranging from the geochemical analysis of shellfish to the interpretation of human remains buried within. Drawing upon examples from around the world, this is one of the only books to offer a global perspective on the archaeology of shell-matrix sites.
Eggers S. 2006. Book review: The Metaphysics of Apes: Negotiating the Animal–Human Boundary. By R... more Eggers S. 2006. Book review: The Metaphysics of Apes: Negotiating the Animal–Human Boundary. By Raymond Corbey. Pp. 227. J Biosoc Sci 38:845-846.
Boyadjian, C. H.; Eggers, S.; Scheel-Ybert, R. (2016): Evidence of plant foods obtaneid for the d... more Boyadjian, C. H.; Eggers, S.; Scheel-Ybert, R. (2016): Evidence of plant foods obtaneid for the dental calculus of individuals frrom a Brazilian shell mound. In: Hardy, K.; Kubiak-Martens, L. (Eds): Wild Harvest. Plants in the hominin and pre-agrarian human worlds. Oxford & Philadelphia, Oxbow Books. pp. 215-240.
Boyadjian, C.H.C.; Eggers, S. (2014): Micro-Remains Trapped in Dental Calculus Reveal Plants Cons... more Boyadjian, C.H.C.; Eggers, S. (2014): Micro-Remains Trapped in Dental Calculus Reveal Plants Consumed by Brazilian Shell Mound Builders. In: Roksandic, M.; Mendonça de Souza, S.; Eggers, S.; Burchell, M.; Klokler, D.. (Org.). The Cultural Dynamics of Shell-Matrix Sites. pp. 279-288.
Okumura, M.M.M.; Eggers, S. (2014): Cultural Formation Processes of the Bioarchaeological Record ... more Okumura, M.M.M.; Eggers, S. (2014): Cultural Formation Processes of the Bioarchaeological Record of a Brazilian Shell Mound. In: Roksandic, M.; Mendonça de Souza, S.; Eggers, S.; Burchell, M.; Klokler, D.. (Org.). The Cultural Dynamics of Shell-Matrix Sites. pp. 103-112.
Pezo-Lanfranco LN, and Eggers S. 2012. Caries Through Time: An Anthropological Overview. In: Li M... more Pezo-Lanfranco LN, and Eggers S. 2012. Caries Through Time: An Anthropological Overview. In: Li M-Y, editor. Contemporary Approach to Dental Caries. Rijeka, Croatia: InTech. p 3-34.
Okumura MMM, and Eggers S. 2012. Living and eating in coastal southern Brazil during Prehistory: ... more Okumura MMM, and Eggers S. 2012. Living and eating in coastal southern Brazil during Prehistory: a review. In: Collard D, Morris J, and Perego E, editors. Food & Drink in Archaeology 3. Totnes, UK: Prospect Books. p 55-64.
Resenha do livro "Descobrindo a Arqueologia - o que os mortos podem nos contar sobre a vida", na ... more Resenha do livro "Descobrindo a Arqueologia - o que os mortos podem nos contar sobre a vida", na Revista Pesquisa Fapesp.
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Papers by Sabine Eggers
tempo circunscrito. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi testar a hipótese de que os indivíduos do Locus 2 apresentam uma afinidade biológica maior entre si do que em relação aos demais indivíduos exumados de outros loci. Para tanto,
dados craniométricos de 26 indivíduos foram analisados usando testes estatísticos.
Nossos resultados não apoiam a hipótese de que os indivíduos do Locus 2 apresentem maior afinidade biológica entre si. À luz de dados da literatura, outros fatores biológicos também não corroboram a existência do grupo de afinidade.
É possível que outros fatores, como os culturais, tenham influenciado a decisão de quem seria sepultado nesse Locus.
O projeto tem como objetivo investigar o processo de formação dos sambaquis e o padrão de assentamento da costa Sudeste do Brasil. Visa o estudo da ocupação do litoral a partir dos seguintes aspectos:1 – a contextualização ambiental dos sambaquis percebendo-os como parte de um sistema de assentamento e a análise detalhada de alguns tipos de sítios. 2 – o estudo dos sambaquis como uma construção intencional e não apenas como o resultado de descarte de restos alimentares, 3 – a pesquisa etnográfica com os pescadores tradicionais que dependem dos recursos aquáticos e que estão familiarizados com o uso de pequenos botes 4 – a cadeia de atividades relacionada com a coleta de moluscos.
Based on cultural evidence, it is assumed that the subsistence practices of Late Formative (700 B.C. to A.D. 100) societies from the Paracas peninsula evolved from being fishing-based to agricultural around the beginning of the common era. The inventories of several sites in the region, however, suggest a mixed diet that included marine protein and cultivated carbohydrates in unknown proportions. To test changes in coastal subsistence during this period, the remains of 56 individuals from three occupations (Karwas [700–550 B.C.], Paracas Cavernas [550–260 B.C.], and Paracas Necrópolis [260 B.C. to A.D. 100]) were analyzed using a bioarchaeological approach. The analyses of oral pathology show similar patterns in the three populations, consistent with an extremely cariogenic and soft diet. In addition, evidence of coca leaf chewing was detected in Paracas Cavernas and Paracas Necropolis. The isotopic signatures show that the large amounts of C3 carbohydrate intake (tubers and legumes) decreases, while C4 carbohydrate (maize) intake increases, supplemented with marine protein. The results of these data suggest that the consumption and possibly the production of cultivated carbohydrates were highly developed in the region since the mid-first millennium B.C.
using 12 osteological markers for nutritional and functional stress, infectious diseases, and interpersonal violence offers the opportunity to understand the biological dimension of this process. Although we observe auditory exostosis in all samples, indicating the continuing importance of marine resources, other paleopathological findings, in accordance with archaeological data, support the idea of profound changes in lifestyle related to the rise of social complexity in the region. These include a 10 cm height decrease, changes in nutritional stress markers, and an increase in degenerative joint diseases in vertebra but not in the appendicular skeleton, whereas infectious diseases and violent trauma became more frequent. Thus, in Puémape we witness considerable changes in the way of life across the Formative period, associated with changes in diet, division of labor, and social stratification.
Sertão and the Tradição Itaparica in the high plains of the Planalto Central. Here we report on paleodietary singals of a
Paleoamerican found in a third Brazilian ecological setting – a riverine shellmound, or sambaqui, located in the Atlantic
forest. Most sambaquis are found along the coast. The peoples associated with them subsisted on marine resources. We are
reporting a different situation from the oldest recorded riverine sambaqui, called Capelinha. Capelinha is a relatively small
sambaqui established along a river 60 km from the Atlantic Ocean coast. It contained the well-preserved remains of a
Paleoamerican known as Luzio dated to 9,9456235 years ago; the oldest sambaqui dweller so far. Luzio’s bones were
remarkably well preserved and allowed for stable isotopic analysis of diet. Although artifacts found at this riverine site show
connections with the Atlantic coast, we show that he represents a population that was dependent on inland resources as
opposed to marine coastal resources. After comparing Luzio’s paleodietary data with that of other extant and prehistoric
groups, we discuss where his group could have come from, if terrestrial diet persisted in riverine sambaquis and how Luzio
fits within the discussion of the replacement of paleamerican by amerindian morphology. This study adds to the evidence
that shows a greater complexity in the prehistory of the colonization of and the adaptations to the New World.
whether there is an increase (1) in the frequency of carious lesions and (2) in caries depth, and (3) if there is a shift from occlusal to extra-occlusal caries locations with the development of agriculture. Therefore, we analyze the frequencies of carious lesions and antemortem tooth loss (AMTL), the caries distributions by age, sex, and type of tooth, as well as the tissues affected by, and the location of the carious lesions. Since there are no significant differences in the frequencies of carious lesions and AMTL between the groups, we reject hypothesis 1. In contrast, caries depth does increase, and caries location changes from occlusal to extra-occlusal sites with agricultural
development. However, we can only corroborate hypothesis 2 and 3 when taking into consideration dental wear. Thus, we recommend that caries depth and locations should be used with evaluations of dental wear to reconstruct subsistence in ancient populations. Am J Phys Anthropol 143:75–91, 2010.
tempo circunscrito. O objetivo do presente trabalho foi testar a hipótese de que os indivíduos do Locus 2 apresentam uma afinidade biológica maior entre si do que em relação aos demais indivíduos exumados de outros loci. Para tanto,
dados craniométricos de 26 indivíduos foram analisados usando testes estatísticos.
Nossos resultados não apoiam a hipótese de que os indivíduos do Locus 2 apresentem maior afinidade biológica entre si. À luz de dados da literatura, outros fatores biológicos também não corroboram a existência do grupo de afinidade.
É possível que outros fatores, como os culturais, tenham influenciado a decisão de quem seria sepultado nesse Locus.
O projeto tem como objetivo investigar o processo de formação dos sambaquis e o padrão de assentamento da costa Sudeste do Brasil. Visa o estudo da ocupação do litoral a partir dos seguintes aspectos:1 – a contextualização ambiental dos sambaquis percebendo-os como parte de um sistema de assentamento e a análise detalhada de alguns tipos de sítios. 2 – o estudo dos sambaquis como uma construção intencional e não apenas como o resultado de descarte de restos alimentares, 3 – a pesquisa etnográfica com os pescadores tradicionais que dependem dos recursos aquáticos e que estão familiarizados com o uso de pequenos botes 4 – a cadeia de atividades relacionada com a coleta de moluscos.
Based on cultural evidence, it is assumed that the subsistence practices of Late Formative (700 B.C. to A.D. 100) societies from the Paracas peninsula evolved from being fishing-based to agricultural around the beginning of the common era. The inventories of several sites in the region, however, suggest a mixed diet that included marine protein and cultivated carbohydrates in unknown proportions. To test changes in coastal subsistence during this period, the remains of 56 individuals from three occupations (Karwas [700–550 B.C.], Paracas Cavernas [550–260 B.C.], and Paracas Necrópolis [260 B.C. to A.D. 100]) were analyzed using a bioarchaeological approach. The analyses of oral pathology show similar patterns in the three populations, consistent with an extremely cariogenic and soft diet. In addition, evidence of coca leaf chewing was detected in Paracas Cavernas and Paracas Necropolis. The isotopic signatures show that the large amounts of C3 carbohydrate intake (tubers and legumes) decreases, while C4 carbohydrate (maize) intake increases, supplemented with marine protein. The results of these data suggest that the consumption and possibly the production of cultivated carbohydrates were highly developed in the region since the mid-first millennium B.C.
using 12 osteological markers for nutritional and functional stress, infectious diseases, and interpersonal violence offers the opportunity to understand the biological dimension of this process. Although we observe auditory exostosis in all samples, indicating the continuing importance of marine resources, other paleopathological findings, in accordance with archaeological data, support the idea of profound changes in lifestyle related to the rise of social complexity in the region. These include a 10 cm height decrease, changes in nutritional stress markers, and an increase in degenerative joint diseases in vertebra but not in the appendicular skeleton, whereas infectious diseases and violent trauma became more frequent. Thus, in Puémape we witness considerable changes in the way of life across the Formative period, associated with changes in diet, division of labor, and social stratification.
Sertão and the Tradição Itaparica in the high plains of the Planalto Central. Here we report on paleodietary singals of a
Paleoamerican found in a third Brazilian ecological setting – a riverine shellmound, or sambaqui, located in the Atlantic
forest. Most sambaquis are found along the coast. The peoples associated with them subsisted on marine resources. We are
reporting a different situation from the oldest recorded riverine sambaqui, called Capelinha. Capelinha is a relatively small
sambaqui established along a river 60 km from the Atlantic Ocean coast. It contained the well-preserved remains of a
Paleoamerican known as Luzio dated to 9,9456235 years ago; the oldest sambaqui dweller so far. Luzio’s bones were
remarkably well preserved and allowed for stable isotopic analysis of diet. Although artifacts found at this riverine site show
connections with the Atlantic coast, we show that he represents a population that was dependent on inland resources as
opposed to marine coastal resources. After comparing Luzio’s paleodietary data with that of other extant and prehistoric
groups, we discuss where his group could have come from, if terrestrial diet persisted in riverine sambaquis and how Luzio
fits within the discussion of the replacement of paleamerican by amerindian morphology. This study adds to the evidence
that shows a greater complexity in the prehistory of the colonization of and the adaptations to the New World.
whether there is an increase (1) in the frequency of carious lesions and (2) in caries depth, and (3) if there is a shift from occlusal to extra-occlusal caries locations with the development of agriculture. Therefore, we analyze the frequencies of carious lesions and antemortem tooth loss (AMTL), the caries distributions by age, sex, and type of tooth, as well as the tissues affected by, and the location of the carious lesions. Since there are no significant differences in the frequencies of carious lesions and AMTL between the groups, we reject hypothesis 1. In contrast, caries depth does increase, and caries location changes from occlusal to extra-occlusal sites with agricultural
development. However, we can only corroborate hypothesis 2 and 3 when taking into consideration dental wear. Thus, we recommend that caries depth and locations should be used with evaluations of dental wear to reconstruct subsistence in ancient populations. Am J Phys Anthropol 143:75–91, 2010.