Bioarchaeological Signatures of Health and Inequality at the Middle Bronze Age Rural Site Kaman-Kalehoyuk

Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

2-19-2019

Publication Title

American Journal of Physical Anthropology

Volume

168

Issue

S68

First page number:

7

Abstract

Bioarchaeological Signatures of Health and Inequality at the Middle Bronze Age Rural Site Kaman-Kalehoyuk This research study focuses on the bioarchaeology of Kaman-Kalehöyük and seeks to provide baseline data, investigating the effects of socioeconomic inequalities on rural communities during the Middle Bronze Age (MBA) (ca. 2000-1750 years Before Current Era) in central Anatolia (present-day Turkey). In particular, this project addresses the impact of the political landscape during the MBA on population health at the small rural settlement Kaman-Kalehöyük using multiple lines of evidence. This is accomplished through comprehensive documentation and analyses of human skeletal remains. More specifically, health indicators of biological stress and activity patterns are discussed in order to assess whether a biological signature of health is present at this MBA rural community. The results show a minimum of 64 individuals and include all age categories and both sexes. Some aspects of the health profile, such as the demographic profile, fertility rates and prevalence of dental caries, are consistent with an agricultural lifestyle. The demographic patterns appear to be relatively normal for an agrarian rural community and fertility is high (0.3774). Based on the evidence for overall nutritional quality and general stress, we argue that occupants of the MBA Kaman-Kalehöyük show health profiles similar to low socioeconomic individuals at the MBA urban site of Kültepe-Kanesh.

Disciplines

Social and Cultural Anthropology

Language

English


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