A diachronic analysis of porotic hyperostosis in prehistoric populations of northern Chile

A macroscopic analysis of 604 skeletal remains was undertaken at the Museo Arqueologico de San Miguel de Azapa (MASMA) in order to ascertain the rates of porotic hyperostosis in the prehistoric populations of northern Chile. Porotic hyperostosis has been recognized as being a useful indicator of nutritional stress, in particular, iron-deficiency anemia. In the Americas, this pathology has primarily been associated with maize-dependency and pathogen load. Contrary to expectations, results reveal that pre-agricultural populations have 93% of porotic hyperostosis while the agricultural populations show a rate of 66%. This data does not support the maize-dependency model. It is suggested, instead, that the pathology could be the result of levels of parasites within the societies.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts (MA)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Anthropology and Ethnic Studies

Grantor dc:publisher

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Year

1998

Author dc:creator

• Hart, Maria Sloan

Contributors dc:contributor

• Bernardo Arriaza

Statement dc:rights

• IN COPYRIGHT. For more information about this rights statement, please visit http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Identifier

https://oasis.library.unlv.edu/rtds/881

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:oasis.library.unlv.edu:rtds-1880