Musculo-skeletal stress markers in bioarchaeology : indicators of activity levels or human variation? : a re-analysis and interpretation
Musculoskeletal stress markers (MSM) have been widely used by bio-archaeologists as indicators of physical activity. These markers occur at the sites of attachment of soft tissue to bone. They are anomalies of bone formation or destruction at these sites and often called enthesopathies in clinical literature. The aims of this research were firstly to determine the aetiology of these features; in particular, whether they can be used as indicators of physical activity. Secondly, to create a new digital and quantifiable recording method, that is both cheap and simple to use. To achieve the first aim, several literature reviews were undertaken: of the bio-archaeological literature; of the anatomy of the attachment sites; of the relationship between trauma and enthesopathy formation; and of the relationship between enthesopathy formation and disease. Many diseases, for example DISH and ankylosing spondylitis, were found to be associated with enthesopathy formation. Findings of these reviews indicated current bio-archaeological recording methods and interpretive practises are at odds with clinical literature. The second aim had to take these factors into account. Pilot studies were undertaken to develop a new recording
Henderson, Charlotte
Musculo-skeletal stress markers in bioarchaeology : indicators of activity levels or human variation? : a re-analysis and interpretation. Musculoskeletal stress markers (MSM) have been widely used by bio-archaeologists as indicators of physical activity. These markers occur at the sites of attachment of soft tissue to bone. They are anomalies of bone formation or destruction at these sites and often called enthesopathies in clinical literature. The aims of this research were firstly to determine the aetiology of these features; in particular, whether they can be used as indicators of physical activity. Secondly, to create a new digital and quantifiable recording method, that is both cheap and simple to use. To achieve the first aim, several literature reviews were undertaken: of the bio-archaeological literature; of the anatomy of the attachment sites; of the relationship between trauma and enthesopathy formation; and of the relationship between enthesopathy formation and disease. Many diseases, for example DISH and ankylosing spondylitis, were found to be associated with enthesopathy formation. Findings of these reviews indicated current bio-archaeological recording methods and interpretive practises are at odds with clinical literature. The second aim had to take these factors into account. Pilot studies were undertaken to develop a new recording
skeletal_stress marker bioarchaeology indicator activity level human variation analysis_interpretation stress marker widely_use archaeologists indicator physical activity marker occur site attachment soft tissue bone anomaly bone formation destruction site often call clinical literature aim_firstly determine aetiology feature particular whether use indicator physical activity secondly create_new digital quantifiable record method cheap simple use achieve first aim several literature_review undertaken archaeological literature anatomy attachment site relationship trauma formation relationship formation disease many disease example find associate formation findings review indicate current archaeological recording method interpretive practises odds clinical literature second_aim take factor account pilot_study undertake develop_new record