Demography, diet and state of health in Roman York
This study combines new and pre-existing osteological evidence with archaeological evidence in order to reconstruct the demographic composition, broad dietary patterns and health status of the population of Roman York. This research examines the composition of the military and civilian sectors of the population, dietary patterns inferred from the study of dental remains, and differences in health according to social and occupational status categories within the population. Results indicate that the population had significant male bias, underrepresentation of infants and sub-adults, and approximately equal male and female life expectancy. Diets are likely to have been rich in fat and protein, and low in both cariogenic foods and foods that provide vitamins. Compared to contemporary urban sites, York had significantly elevated prevalence of antemortem trauma and porotic hyperostosis. Comparatively high rates of dislocation, peri-mortem trauma, brucellosis, osteopenia, os acromiale and osteochondroma were also observed. These findings suggest that the demographic composition of the population is heavily influenced by the presence of the military. A combination of osteological, isotopic, archaeobotanical, zooarchaeological
McIntyre, Lauren J.
Demography, diet and state of health in Roman York. This study combines new and pre-existing osteological evidence with archaeological evidence in order to reconstruct the demographic composition, broad dietary patterns and health status of the population of Roman York. This research examines the composition of the military and civilian sectors of the population, dietary patterns inferred from the study of dental remains, and differences in health according to social and occupational status categories within the population. Results indicate that the population had significant male bias, underrepresentation of infants and sub-adults, and approximately equal male and female life expectancy. Diets are likely to have been rich in fat and protein, and low in both cariogenic foods and foods that provide vitamins. Compared to contemporary urban sites, York had significantly elevated prevalence of antemortem trauma and porotic hyperostosis. Comparatively high rates of dislocation, peri-mortem trauma, brucellosis, osteopenia, os acromiale and osteochondroma were also observed. These findings suggest that the demographic composition of the population is heavily influenced by the presence of the military. A combination of osteological, isotopic, archaeobotanical, zooarchaeological
demography diet state health roman york study combine_new pre_existing osteological_evidence archaeological_evidence order_reconstruct demographic composition broad dietary pattern health_status population roman york examine composition military_civilian sector population dietary pattern infer study dental remain difference health accord social occupational status category within population indicate population significant male bias infant sub adults approximately equal male_female life expectancy likely rich fat protein low food food provide compared contemporary urban_site york significantly elevate prevalence trauma comparatively high_rate dislocation trauma also_observe finding_suggest demographic composition population heavily_influence presence military combination osteological isotopic archaeobotanical zooarchaeological