Original scientific paper

BIOARCHAEOLOGY OF THE LATE ANTIQUE POPULATION FROM ŠTRBINCI

Mario Novak orcid.org/0000-0002-4567-8742
Zrinka Premužić
Vlasta Vyroubal orcid.org/0000-0002-5336-9763
Mario Šlaus

Abstract

This article aims to synthesise bioarchaeological data from the late Antique Štrbinci skeletal series and present it by grave unit and individual skeleton, and to compare the bioarchaeological characteristics of this sample with the Antique sample from the Zadar – Relja site. Due to their different geographical location, climate and ecological settings, significant differences in living conditions and quality of life between these two samples can be expected. A detailed anthropological analysis was conducted to determine if these environmental factors had any effect on the living conditions of these populations. All skeletons were analysed for sex, age, dental pathologies, subadult stress indicators, and non-specific infectious diseases, Data collected from this study demonstrated that except for one skeletal indicator of dental disease (caries), one skeletal indicator of subadult stress (the active form of cribra orbitalia) and one skeletal indicator of physical activity (Schmorl’s nodes), no significant differences in the quality of life are present between individuals who inhabited Štrbinci and individuals who inhabited Zadar during the late Antique period. This research's results strongly suggest similar stress levels between the two analysed populations, which were most probably the result of similar social and economic circumstances.

Keywords

bioarchaeology, dental pathologies, subadult stress, traumas, late Antique period, Štrbinci, Zadar – Relja

Hrčak ID:

286359

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/286359

Publication date:

1.12.2009.

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