The comparative paleopathology of males and females in English medieval skeletal samples in its social context
The aim of this study was to determine whether there is evidence to suggest that males and females in medieval England experienced differences in health and mortality. which could be objectively demonstrated from their skeletal remains. Palaeodemographic and palaeopathological data pertaining to a total sample of 1,056 adult males and 674 adult females were compared statistically. The material was derived from seven cemeteries, spanning the period from c. 1066-1540. A method for sexing subadults using tooth measurements was also developed. This enabled the comparative analysis to be extended to include a further 83 (47 'male'. 36 'female') individuals aged between c. 5-18 years. Sex differences in mortality, general health status, activity related pathology and dental disease were identified. However, the differences were often subtle, with age and site differences tending to transcend disparities between the sexes, perhaps suggesting that factors other than sex had a greater bearing on health and mortality. Females displayed an inclination toward an earlier age at death, but no statistical association between sex and age at death was demonstrated. The collective analysis of four stress indicators (stature,
Duncan, Clare Helen
The comparative paleopathology of males and females in English medieval skeletal samples in its social context. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is evidence to suggest that males and females in medieval England experienced differences in health and mortality. which could be objectively demonstrated from their skeletal remains. Palaeodemographic and palaeopathological data pertaining to a total sample of 1,056 adult males and 674 adult females were compared statistically. The material was derived from seven cemeteries, spanning the period from c. 1066-1540. A method for sexing subadults using tooth measurements was also developed. This enabled the comparative analysis to be extended to include a further 83 (47 'male'. 36 'female') individuals aged between c. 5-18 years. Sex differences in mortality, general health status, activity related pathology and dental disease were identified. However, the differences were often subtle, with age and site differences tending to transcend disparities between the sexes, perhaps suggesting that factors other than sex had a greater bearing on health and mortality. Females displayed an inclination toward an earlier age at death, but no statistical association between sex and age at death was demonstrated. The collective analysis of four stress indicators (stature,
comparative male females english_medieval skeletal sample social_context aim_study determine_whether evidence_suggest male_female medieval_england experience difference health mortality could objectively demonstrated skeletal_remain palaeopathological data pertain total sample adult male adult female compare statistically material_derive cemetery span_period method sex subadults use tooth measurement also_develop enable comparative_analysis extend include male female individual age_sex difference mortality general health_status activity_related pathology dental_disease identify however difference often subtle age site difference tend transcend disparity sex perhaps suggest factor sex great bear health mortality females display inclination toward early age_death statistical association sex_age death demonstrate collective analysis stress indicator stature