Award Date

1-1-1991

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Anthropology

First Committee Member

Sheilagh T. Brooks

Number of Pages

310

Abstract

This study concerns an analysis of the Ferguson District, a late 19th-early 20th century gold mining district in southeastern Lincoln County, Nevada. Historical events are reconstructed for the boom years between 1892-1909 and critical bio-cultural variables investigated. The hypothesis that silicosis ("miner's consumption") was the leading cause of death in the District during this period is tested. Mortality and morbidity rates in the study area are compared with similar data from two other Nevada mining regions; The results of the study indicate that infectious and chronic diseases of the respiratory system accounted for over 25 percent of the Ferguson District mortality. The hypothesis that silicosis was the leading cause of death among all District residents was not supported by the available evidence. Comparative data from the other mining regions suggest that conditions in the Ferguson District did not pose significantly more hazards to health and survival.

Keywords

Analysis; Cultural; District; Ferguson; Nevada; Times; Worst

Controlled Subject

Physical anthropology; Archaeology; Public health

File Format

pdf

File Size

10147.84 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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