Original scientific paper

https://doi.org/10.33254/piaz.36.7

Bioarchaeology of the Late Avar population from Šarengrad – Klopare: preliminary results

Mario Carić orcid.org/0000-0003-4263-6528 ; Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
Brina Zagorc ; Faculty of Philosophy, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
Daria Ložnjak Dizdar orcid.org/0000-0002-5769-2269 ; Institute of Archaeology, Zagreb, Croatia
Anita Rapan Papeša orcid.org/0000-0002-0041-1892 ; Town museum Vinkovci, Vinkovci, Croatia
Andrea Rimpf orcid.org/0000-0003-2834-342X ; Town museum Ilok, Ilok, Croatia
Mislav Čavka ; University Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Dubrava University Hospital, Zagreb, Croatia
Ivor Janković orcid.org/0000-0001-5175-6885 ; Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia
Mario Novak orcid.org/0000-0002-4567-8742 ; Institute for Anthropological Research, Zagreb, Croatia

Abstract

The paper presents the preliminary results of bioarchaeological analysis conducted on the skeletal remains of 46 individuals recovered from the Late Avar cemetery in Šarengrad, eastern Croatia. The obtained results indicate that the Šarengrad population was characterized by relatively high subadult mortality caused by very poor childhood health, which is reflected in the high frequency of subadult stress indicators (cribra orbitalia and linear enamel hypoplasia) and sub-periosteal new bone formation, but also in the occurrence of subadult cases of scurvy. Paleodontological analysis strongly suggests that a large portion of the diet of these people was based on carbohydrates which points to subsistence mostly based on agriculture. A complete absence of perimortem injuries in Šarengrad strongly points to the fact that the inhabitants of this community were exposed to a low level of intentional violence, and that the injuries primarily occurred as a result of accidents. Three cases of maxillary sinusitis could be related to the heating/cooking system (ovens and open fire pits) where prolonged direct exposure to smoke could have led to various respiratory tract diseases such as sinusitis. Finally, the comparison of the Šarengrad sample with other contemporaneous assemblages did not show any major differences, suggesting similar living conditions in the region during the 8th cent.

Keywords

8th century; eastern Croatia; skeletal remains; paleopathology; lifestyle

Hrčak ID:

229676

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/229676

Publication date:

13.12.2019.

Article data in other languages: croatian

Visits: 3.401 *