Influence of the environment on childhood health; A comparison between a classical Maya coastal and inland site by means of three skeletal lesions acquired during childhood; dental hypoplasia, porotic hyperostosis and cribra orbitalia.

Much is still unknown about the relationship between the environment and childhood health during the Maya classical period. In this study two archaeological sites located in different environments, will be compared in terms of childhood health. The sites are Xcambo, which is located on the coast and the Petexbatun area, which is located on the Maya lowlands. Three skeletal lesions that only form during childhood are used and compared from adult skeletons. This includes dental hypoplasia, porotic hyperostosis, and cribra orbitalia. First the dental hypoplasia data is compared between the sites. The prevalence in the Xcambo sample was very high, 99%, only one individual did not have dental hypoplasia. Also the mean number of hypoplasias per individual per tooth was quite high; more than three for most teeth. The individuals of the Petexbatun area had a 59% prevalence of dental hypoplasia and a mean number of hypoplasias per individual per tooth less than one. This is a significant...Show moreMuch is still unknown about the relationship between the environment and childhood health during the Maya classical period. In this study two archaeological sites located in different environments, will be compared in terms of childhood health. The sites are Xcambo, which is located on the coast and the Petexbatun area, which is located on the Maya lowlands. Three skeletal lesions that only form during childhood are used and compared from adult skeletons. This includes dental hypoplasia, porotic hyperostosis, and cribra orbitalia. First the dental hypoplasia data is compared between the sites. The prevalence in the Xcambo sample was very high, 99%, only one individual did not have dental hypoplasia. Also the mean number of hypoplasias per individual per tooth was quite high; more than three for most teeth. The individuals of the Petexbatun area had a 59% prevalence of dental hypoplasia and a mean number of hypoplasias per individual per tooth less than one. This is a significant difference; the individuals of Xcambo possibly suffered from more and more severe stressful periods. The prevalence of porotic hyperostosis is also very different between the sites. From the Xcambo individuals about 19% had porotic hyperostosis, against 63 % prevalence in the Petexbatun area. The prevalence of cribra orbitalia was remarkably similar between both sites; around 16%, but preservations issues mean that the Petexbatun might not be representative, and could have been higher. There were a lot of differences between the sites in terms of childhood health. The difference in the amount and type of animal protein consumed, could be a good explanation for the difference in porotic hyperostosis. The high number of physical stresses the population of Xcambo endured during childhood, could be caused by infections, which were very common in the environment.Show less

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Influence of the environment on childhood health; A comparison between a classical Maya coastal and inland site by means of three skeletal lesions acquired during childhood; dental hypoplasia, porotic hyperostosis and cribra orbitalia.