Skeletal variation as a possible reflection of relatedness within three medieval British populations
Nonmetric traits (NMTs) are often used by osteoarchaeologists in the study of human variation. Some NMTs are affected by environmental factors whereas others are genetic in origin. Such genetic variants have long been used to support the hypotheses on the history and divergence of human populations suggesting that some population groups can be genetically distinguished. However, when genetic NMTs occur in higher than expected frequency these can be interpreted as possible indicators of relatedness. This method is applied to a sample of 977 individuals from the Medieval Poulton Chapel, St. Owenâs Church and Norton Priory Collections, U.K. One hundred and twenty-six cranial and postcranial NMTs were examined to determine: 1) the prevalence, 2) whether there are significant differences between the sexes and/or by age category, 3) if there is variation in mechanical and genetic NMT frequency between the three samples and, 4) to explore possible familial relationships through hierarchal cluster analysis and burial spatial distribution. It is thought that family members are often buried near one another, suggesting that individuals sharing similar genetic NMTs would be buried within close proximity to each other.
Burrell, C. L.
CC Archaeology ; QH426 Genetics ; QM Human anatomy ; QP Physiology
Skeletal variation as a possible reflection of relatedness within three medieval British populations. Nonmetric traits (NMTs) are often used by osteoarchaeologists in the study of human variation. Some NMTs are affected by environmental factors whereas others are genetic in origin. Such genetic variants have long been used to support the hypotheses on the history and divergence of human populations suggesting that some population groups can be genetically distinguished. However, when genetic NMTs occur in higher than expected frequency these can be interpreted as possible indicators of relatedness. This method is applied to a sample of 977 individuals from the Medieval Poulton Chapel, St. Owenâs Church and Norton Priory Collections, U.K. One hundred and twenty-six cranial and postcranial NMTs were examined to determine: 1) the prevalence, 2) whether there are significant differences between the sexes and/or by age category, 3) if there is variation in mechanical and genetic NMT frequency between the three samples and, 4) to explore possible familial relationships through hierarchal cluster analysis and burial spatial distribution. It is thought that family members are often buried near one another, suggesting that individuals sharing similar genetic NMTs would be buried within close proximity to each other.
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