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'Jankauskas R, Kozlovskaya M, 1999: Biosocial Differentiation in Lithuanian Iron Age Population. Anthropologie (Brno) 37, 2: 177-185'. |
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| Abstract | | Biological differences within the population can be influenced by social processes. The variations in stature and osteometric indices are consequences of social stratification. As differential access to food resources is much related to social status, one can expect parallels between the physical development and dietary indicators. The aim of the paper is to discuss relations between individual social status, bone lengths, stature and trace element concentrations in the 5th-6th cc. A.D. population of Plinkaigalis, Lithuania. Data of 82 adult males and 64 females were analysed. Statistically significant trend of male osteometric indices was found: individuals inhumed in rich grave inventory graves were taller. As no such tendency was detected for females, social groups also differed in terms of sexual dimorphism (the highest dimorphism was found in the richest group). However, general mineralisation of the skeleton and trace element analysis (contents of Ca, Zn, Cu, Mn, Fe, Pb, Sr, Zn/Ca and Sr/Ca ratios) revealed only weak regularities: males of high social status were consuming more food rich in animal protein, while the diet of females and low status males was based mostly on plant products. | | | | Keywords | | Osteometry - Stature reconstruction - Trace elements - Biosocial differentation - Lithuania - Iron Age | | |
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