AAPA 71st Annual Meeting Abstracts: Search Results.

AAPA 71st Annual Meeting Abstracts: Search Results
Your search returned 8 matches.

Changes in Nubian Craniofacial Morphology and Dentition: Evaluating the Case For Population Discontinuity Grand Ballroom A: Thursday Afternoon - April 11, 2002, 3:30 -3:45 PM

G.J. Armelagos(1), J. Calcagno(2), A. Coppa(3), R. Vargiu.

1Dept. of Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30320, Atlanta, Georgia, 30309, USA, 2Loyola University, Chicago, 3University of Rome, Rome, 185, Italy.

Session: 7

Poster number:

The racial models have traditionally been used to interpret the culture history of the Nile Valley. Archaeologists assumed that "foreign" intrusions in the area were responsible for the major cultural disruptions. The "cause" of the collapse of the "Caucasian" Meroitic empire (the presence of a great civilization was prima facie evidence that the cultural bearers were white) was attributed to the X-Group who were assumed to be a Negroid population. To the archeologist of the period, the decline of such a great civilization could only have occurred by invasion and displacement. After racist underpinnings of this approach were discarded, the multiple migration model became the preeminent perspective. In this model, the each of the defined archeological horizons (A-Group, C-Group, Meroitic, X-Group and Christians were thought to represent new populations who were the bearers of distinct cultures. Following the work of Carlson, Greene, Calgagno, and Van Gerven, a model of in situ evolution was proposed that fit with the archeological transition. In situ evolution considered changes in subsistence that led to the reduction of craniofacial dimensions and dentition. The most recent incarnation of the population replacement model is based on statistical comparisons of discrete dental traits suggesting that Late Paleolithic Nubians (LPN) were not predecessors of Holocene Nubians. Rather, the LPN were ancestors to West African Holocene populations. The Nubians, based on the analysis of discrete dental traits, are descendent from populations from the north who migrated into the region. We challenge this interpretation on the basis of their statistical analysis and assumptions of genetic independence of dental traits.

The populations in the circum-Caribbean area from the 4th millennium b.C to the conquest: the biological relationships according to possible migratory patterns Grand Ballroom A: Saturday Morning - April 13, 2002, 10:15 -10:30 AM

A. Coppa(1), A. Cucina(2), M. Lucci(1), A. Pellegrini(1), R. Vargiu(1).

1University of Rome, Rome, 185, Italy, 2University of Missouri - Columbia.

Session: 22

Poster number:

The migrations that led to the peopling of the Caribbean area took place beginning in the 4^th millennium BC and originated from different continental neighbouring areas. By the time of the conquest, the islands were densely populated by what the chronicles reported as the Ciboney, Arawak (Tainos) and Carib cultures. This paper investigates the extent of biological relationship among various groups from the circum-Caribbean area through the analysis of dental morphological traits. Six different groups have been analyzed, identified according to their geographical location: Florida, Cuba, Santo Domingo, Virgin Island, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. The samples belong to different cultures and span wide chronological times. We tried to investigate the biological affinities of groups from the same and different migratory movements. Several multivariate statistical techniques have been applied: Maximum Likelihood, Principal Component Analysis, Multidimensional Scaling, Minimum Spanning Tree and Mean Measure of Divergence. A separation between cultural, even though coeval, groups arose, along with different relationships among island groups compared to the continental ones. The Tainos (from Santo Domingo, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico) always clustered together and separated from the Ciboney of Cuba, the latter being considered the result of earlier migratory events. Interestingly, the preceramic sample of Cueva Roja (an earlier non-Taino group from Santo Domingo dated between the 3^rd and 2^nd millennium BC.) merges towards the Cuban Ciboneys, indicating its origin from one of the first migrations towards Hispaniola during the 4th millennium BC. Instead, no clear affinity of the samples from southern Florida and Venezuela emerges. The former ones, even the more ancient, do not seem to have any relationship with the Ciboneys. Their less distinct biological collocation related to the island groups could result from within the sub-continents demic movements and a higher gene flow, contrarily to what occurred to the geographically and genetically more closed island populations. Research granted by MURST COFIN1999, MAE and 60% Grant by the University of Rome "La Sapienza."

Subsistence patterns and seasonality of vital events in historical times in Central Apennines (Abruzzo, Italy) Grand Ballroom B: Friday Morning - April 12, 2002, 8:00 -8:15 AM

M.E. Danubio(1), A. Coppa(2), G. Gruppioni(1).

1University of L'Aquila - Italy, L'Aquila, 20100, Italy, 2University of Rome, Rome, 185, Italy, 3.

Session: 13

Poster number:

Historical studies of isolated populations contribute to the maintenance of their cultural identity. The collection and analysis of archival data is a constructive way to conserve a cultural patrimony. The interpretation of indirect sources leads to an understanding of the factors that have directed the evolution of the single communities, determining their biocultural differentiation. Moreover, from an ecological viewpoint, the reconstruction of human ecosystems and their stability in time allows insight into the processes of adaptability developed by isolated communities. Within this frame, seasonality of vital events are good indicators of the effects of the different 'traditional' lifestyles, that are, in turn, the result of the ecological context in which a population developed specific subsistence modes. In fact, the time of wedding is influenced by cultural traditions, demographic structure, socio-economic and environmental conditions. Similarly, seasonality of births reflects the cultural attitude towards the best time to conceive in relation to working activities and loads, the latter limiting physiological fertility. The present research refers to gross natality rates and seasonality of births in pastoral and agricultural groups in historical times in Central-Southern Italy and correlates the monthly distribution of conceptions to that of marriages. Pastoral communities displayed natality rates that averaged 26 per 1000, and showed a marked pattern of seasonality of births: 80% occurred between February and July. The correlation (r = 0.86) between month of conception and month of marriage is high. This strict correlation was due to the absence of men during winter because of transhumance. In agricultural groups, on the contrary, natality rates were on average 35 per 1000, and the seasonal distribution of births shows the highest concentration (60%) between November and April. The correlation between month of conception and month of marriage is very low (r = 0.3). These findings suggest that pastoralism acted as a primary reproductive regulator. Acknowledgments: Research supported by CNR: 01.00524.PF36 / 01.00574.PF36; MURST: COFIN99 / COFIN2000.

The double child burial from Sunghir (Russia): pathology and inferences for Upper Palaeolithic funerary practices Grand Pavilion: Thursday Morning - April 11, 2002, 8:30 am -12:00 noon

V. Formicola(1), A. Buzhilova(2).

1Dept of Ethology, Ecology and Evolution, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy, 56126, Italy, 2Institute of Archaeology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow.

Session: 1

Poster number: 19

The double burial from Sunghir is a spectacular Upper Palaeolithic funerary example dated to about 24.000 BP. A boy (S2) and a girl (S3), respectively about 13 and 10 years old, were buried at the same time, head to head, covered by red ocher and ornamented with extraordinarily rich grave goods. Examination of the two skeletons revealed that the S3 femora are short and exhibit marked antero-posterior bowing. Pathology is confined to the femora. No other part of this well-preserved specimen shows any abnormality. Previous analyses have attributed these deformities to a congenital condition of uncertain origin, although congenital diseases generally result in diffuse bowing deformities and other skeletal anomalies not shown by S3. However, occasional reports of rare, unclassifiable congenital conditions presenting localised, and sometimes bilateral, bowing and shortening of long bones suggest that this possibility cannot be ruled out. Faulty foetal posture is an additional factor invoked in explaining neonatal localized bowing of long bones. Absence of shortening of affected bones and the very favourable prognosis of those changes, which resolve during growth, speak against such attribution. A further, and more likely possibility, is an early bilateral fracture of femoral shafts, healed with permanent shortening and bowing. Lack of modern treatment could explain the greater severity exhibited in comparison to today's clinical cases.
Relationships between physical abnormalities and extraordinary Upper Palaeolithic funerary patterns have been suggested elsewhere. The double burial from Sunghir provides additional support for this point of view.
Supported by CNR (99.03689.PF36) and Bioanthropological Foundation (1998-1999).

The one-million-year-old human remains from the Danakil (Afar) Depression of Eritrea Grand Ballroom E: Saturday Afternoon - April 13, 2002, 3:30 -3:45 PM

R. Macchiarelli(1), L. Bondioli(2), A. Coppa(3), Y. Libsekal(4), L. Rook(5), E. Abbate(5).

1Laboratoire de Géobiologie, Biochronologie et Paléontologie Humaine, Univ. de Poitiers, Poitiers, Poitou, 86000, France, 2Sect. Anthrop., Natl. Prehistoric Ethnographic, 3Dept. Animal & Hum. Biol., Univ. of Rome, 4National Museum of Eritrea, Asmara, 5Dept. Earth Sciences, Univ. of Florence, Italy.

Session: 29

Poster number:

Geopaleontological research carried out in the northern Danakil (Afar) Depression of Eritrea by an Italo-Eritrean team resulted in the discovery of several late Early Pleistocene fossiliferous sites in the area of Buia (Abbate et al., 1998). Paleoanthropological findings consist of one-million-year-old cranial (UA 31), postcranial (UA 173), and dental (UA 222 and 369) remains from a single outcrop in Uadi Aalad.
The UA 31 cranium expresses a remarkable blend of morphological features in the neurocranium and face. The braincase is long and exceptionally narrow which, combined with its relatively great height, results in an estimated endocranial volume of 900 cc.
Based on two associated pelvic fragments (UA 173), we consider UA 31 a probable female, although it has prominent, thick supraorbital tori. There is an especially large zygomatic process filled by a voluminous maxillary sinus. The height of the maxilla probably is the largest found in any known hominid from Pleistocene Africa. We also note the low position of the zygomatic root.
There are few comparable specimens from this time period in Africa, but considering earlier ER 3733 and 3883, OH 9) or later (OH 12, Bodo) specimens, UA 31 differs markedly, illustrating the great variability of Early-Middle Pleistocene Homo.
The "Buia Research Project", initiated by the Univ. of Florence and developed in collaboration with the National Museum of Eritrea and the Eritrea Dept. of Mines, is supported by the Italian CNR, the Univ. of Florence, the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the MURST COFIN99, and the L.S.B. Leakey Foundation.

The Samnites of Alfedena Iron Age Burials: An Assessment of inter-personal cranial trauma Grand Pavilion: Thursday Morning - April 11, 2002, 8:30 am -12:00 noon

D. Mancinelli(1), R.R. Paine(2), M. Ruggieri(3), A. Coppa(4).

1Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Abruzzo, 67100, Italy, 2Dept of Sociology, Anthropology & SW, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 74910, USA, 3Soprintendenza Archeologica dell'Abruzzo, Chieti, Italy, 4University of Rome, Rome, 185, Italy.

Session: 1

Poster number: 21

The Samnites of Alfedena Iron Age skeletal population (6th & 5th centuries B.C.) excavated during the 1973-74 field seasons from the Abruzzi region of Italy was first examined for cranial trauma in 1981 by Macchiarelli et al. They found four cases with cranial trauma specific to inter-personal conflict. This well documented Italian population was recently reexamined for cranial & post- cranial trauma. Of the 95 individuals examined (87 skulls), 18 adult individuals (18.9%) exhibited intentional trauma, 12 (13.8%) of them have cranial injuries. Our findings suggest that inter-personal conflict had been grossly under-estimated for Alfedena (1981). A break down of cranial trauma by sex shows 18% of the males and 4% of the females suffered intentional trauma, resulting in antemortem healing, or perimortem injury and death. Our findings under- score the violent circumstances experienced during the Iron Age protohistory of Italy, a period of time characterized by considerable population growth related to improved agricultural practices. Males were more likely to exhibit cranial trauma than females, suggesting that external social pressure for resources was considerable.
We compared this material to a second population consisting of 108 individuals also from the Alfedena necropolis. This material had been excavated during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and had not been examined for trauma prior to our research. In this second collection we found an additional 14 intentional, interpersonal injuries, 12 of them to the cranium, representing 12.9 % of this segment of the population. In summary, of the 195 skulls examined, 26 individuals (13.3 % of them) exhibit cranial trauma.
This research was supported in part by MURST COFIN00 & CNR "PF Beni Culturali" grant n. 01.00524.PF36.

The elusive 'second species' at the Sterkfontein fossil site: the dental evidence Grand Ballroom E: Thursday Afternoon - April 11, 2002, 1:45 -2:00 PM

J. Moggi-Cecchi.

Laboratori di Antropologia, Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e Genetica, Università di Firenze, Florence, Italy, 50122, Italy.

Session: 10

Poster number:

Hominid specimens recovered from Member 4 of the Sterkfontein site have been assigned to Australopithecus africanus. Several studies suggested that a few specimens may represent another taxon (e.g. Clarke, 1994).
The coefficient of variations (CV) of both MD and BL diameters of the extended dental sample from Sterkfontein have been compared with those of other fossil hominid species. For some teeth and some diameters, the Sterkfontein sample shows higher CV values than the other samples, although no consistent pattern seems to be evident. Overall, the descriptive analysis of the CVs does not provide a strong evidence for the existence of a 'second species' in the Sterkfontein sample.
A metrical analysis comparing the mean values of the MD and BL diameters with those of the combined sample of South African 'robust' Australopithecines has also been carried out. Overall, anterior teeth of 'robust' Australopithecines are significantly smaller than those of A. africanus, whereas the opposite is true for the premolars. The mean values of the molar teeth of A. africanus do not differ significantly from those of A. robustus, with a few exceptions. Some molar teeth of the Sterkfontein sample are comparable in size with those of A. robustus. However, it seems difficult at this stage to assign isolated teeth to a species different from A. africanus only on the basis of dental dimensions.
The combined information from the CV analysis and the metrical comparisons does not provide a conclusive evidence for the existence of a 'second species' in the Sterkfontein Member 4. At this stage, on the basis of the metrical dental evidence alone, the 'second species' remains elusive.

Biodemographic Structure of An Ancient Population: The Cholera Epidemic of 1837 In Alia (Palermo, Sicily) Grand Ballroom B: Friday Morning - April 12, 2002, 9:15 -9:30 AM

S. Tulumello(1), R. Bigazzi(1), S. De Iasio(2).

1Dipartimento Di Biologia Animale E Genetica. Laboratori di Antropologia, Firenze, Italy, 50122, Italy, 2Dipartimento di Biologia Evolutiva E Funzionale, University Of Parma, Italy.

Session: 13

Poster number:

Changes due to epidemics, droughts and other environmental inputs can affect the history of human populations. A rare opportunity was afforded to conduct a study that integrated skeletal biology, population genetics, historical demography and biodemography by the discovery of a cave containing skeletal remains from 300 individuals who died during the cholera epidemic of 1837 in Alia, Sicily, and by the existence of complete and well-preserved registers of birth, marriage and death, from 1800 to 1890 for the same population. Alia is a village of 3000 inhabitants, located in the center of Sicily. The main purpose of the research is to make observations on changes of demographical parameters of a ancient population, in relation with environmental stresses such as a cholera epidemic. The 30.000 records of births, marriages and deaths have been inserted in the program WinFamy, elaborated by Sergio De Iasio, University of Parma.
The results show two peaks in the rate of mortality during the epidemic, one in early July and the second at the end of August, and changes in other demographic parameters: decrease of births (25%) and marriages, higher mortality rate for women of reproductive age (30%), children less than 10 years and peasants (60%).
The study of the surnames, with their frequencies and variations, allow us to investigate the presence of migration. In Alia there are 1150 different family names in birth registers and 525 in marriages registers; the 20 more frequent names represent 1/3 of the total. This is characteristic of an isolated population with low level of immigration and high level of consanguinity.

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Changes in Nubian Craniofacial Morphology and Dentition: Evaluating the Case For Population Discontinuity	Grand Ballroom A: Thursday Afternoon - April 11, 2002, 3:30 -3:45 PM
G.J. Armelagos(1), J. Calcagno(2), A. Coppa(3), R. Vargiu.
1Dept. of Anthropology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia 30320, Atlanta, Georgia, 30309, USA, 2Loyola University, Chicago, 3University of Rome, Rome, 185, Italy.
Session: 7
Poster number:
The racial models have traditionally been used to interpret the culture history of the Nile Valley. Archaeologists assumed that "foreign" intrusions in the area were responsible for the major cultural disruptions. The "cause" of the collapse of the "Caucasian" Meroitic empire (the presence of a great civilization was prima facie evidence that the cultural bearers were white) was attributed to the X-Group who were assumed to be a Negroid population. To the archeologist of the period, the decline of such a great civilization could only have occurred by invasion and displacement. After racist underpinnings of this approach were discarded, the multiple migration model became the preeminent perspective. In this model, the each of the defined archeological horizons (A-Group, C-Group, Meroitic, X-Group and Christians were thought to represent new populations who were the bearers of distinct cultures. Following the work of Carlson, Greene, Calgagno, and Van Gerven, a model of in situ evolution was proposed that fit with the archeological transition. In situ evolution considered changes in subsistence that led to the reduction of craniofacial dimensions and dentition. The most recent incarnation of the population replacement model is based on statistical comparisons of discrete dental traits suggesting that Late Paleolithic Nubians (LPN) were not predecessors of Holocene Nubians. Rather, the LPN were ancestors to West African Holocene populations. The Nubians, based on the analysis of discrete dental traits, are descendent from populations from the north who migrated into the region. We challenge this interpretation on the basis of their statistical analysis and assumptions of genetic independence of dental traits.

The populations in the circum-Caribbean area from the 4th millennium b.C to the conquest: the biological relationships according to possible migratory patterns	Grand Ballroom A: Saturday Morning - April 13, 2002, 10:15 -10:30 AM
A. Coppa(1), A. Cucina(2), M. Lucci(1), A. Pellegrini(1), R. Vargiu(1).
1University of Rome, Rome, 185, Italy, 2University of Missouri - Columbia.
Session: 22
Poster number:
The migrations that led to the peopling of the Caribbean area took place beginning in the 4^th millennium BC and originated from different continental neighbouring areas. By the time of the conquest, the islands were densely populated by what the chronicles reported as the Ciboney, Arawak (Tainos) and Carib cultures. This paper investigates the extent of biological relationship among various groups from the circum-Caribbean area through the analysis of dental morphological traits. Six different groups have been analyzed, identified according to their geographical location: Florida, Cuba, Santo Domingo, Virgin Island, Puerto Rico and Venezuela. The samples belong to different cultures and span wide chronological times. We tried to investigate the biological affinities of groups from the same and different migratory movements. Several multivariate statistical techniques have been applied: Maximum Likelihood, Principal Component Analysis, Multidimensional Scaling, Minimum Spanning Tree and Mean Measure of Divergence. A separation between cultural, even though coeval, groups arose, along with different relationships among island groups compared to the continental ones. The Tainos (from Santo Domingo, Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico) always clustered together and separated from the Ciboney of Cuba, the latter being considered the result of earlier migratory events. Interestingly, the preceramic sample of Cueva Roja (an earlier non-Taino group from Santo Domingo dated between the 3^rd and 2^nd millennium BC.) merges towards the Cuban Ciboneys, indicating its origin from one of the first migrations towards Hispaniola during the 4th millennium BC. Instead, no clear affinity of the samples from southern Florida and Venezuela emerges. The former ones, even the more ancient, do not seem to have any relationship with the Ciboneys. Their less distinct biological collocation related to the island groups could result from within the sub-continents demic movements and a higher gene flow, contrarily to what occurred to the geographically and genetically more closed island populations. Research granted by MURST COFIN1999, MAE and 60% Grant by the University of Rome "La Sapienza."

Subsistence patterns and seasonality of vital events in historical times in Central Apennines (Abruzzo, Italy)	Grand Ballroom B: Friday Morning - April 12, 2002, 8:00 -8:15 AM
M.E. Danubio(1), A. Coppa(2), G. Gruppioni(1).
1University of L'Aquila - Italy, L'Aquila, 20100, Italy, 2University of Rome, Rome, 185, Italy, 3.
Session: 13
Poster number:
Historical studies of isolated populations contribute to the maintenance of their cultural identity. The collection and analysis of archival data is a constructive way to conserve a cultural patrimony. The interpretation of indirect sources leads to an understanding of the factors that have directed the evolution of the single communities, determining their biocultural differentiation. Moreover, from an ecological viewpoint, the reconstruction of human ecosystems and their stability in time allows insight into the processes of adaptability developed by isolated communities. Within this frame, seasonality of vital events are good indicators of the effects of the different 'traditional' lifestyles, that are, in turn, the result of the ecological context in which a population developed specific subsistence modes. In fact, the time of wedding is influenced by cultural traditions, demographic structure, socio-economic and environmental conditions. Similarly, seasonality of births reflects the cultural attitude towards the best time to conceive in relation to working activities and loads, the latter limiting physiological fertility. The present research refers to gross natality rates and seasonality of births in pastoral and agricultural groups in historical times in Central-Southern Italy and correlates the monthly distribution of conceptions to that of marriages. Pastoral communities displayed natality rates that averaged 26 per 1000, and showed a marked pattern of seasonality of births: 80% occurred between February and July. The correlation (r = 0.86) between month of conception and month of marriage is high. This strict correlation was due to the absence of men during winter because of transhumance. In agricultural groups, on the contrary, natality rates were on average 35 per 1000, and the seasonal distribution of births shows the highest concentration (60%) between November and April. The correlation between month of conception and month of marriage is very low (r = 0.3). These findings suggest that pastoralism acted as a primary reproductive regulator. Acknowledgments: Research supported by CNR: 01.00524.PF36 / 01.00574.PF36; MURST: COFIN99 / COFIN2000.

The double child burial from Sunghir (Russia): pathology and inferences for Upper Palaeolithic funerary practices	Grand Pavilion: Thursday Morning - April 11, 2002, 8:30 am -12:00 noon
V. Formicola(1), A. Buzhilova(2).
1Dept of Ethology, Ecology and Evolution, University of Pisa, Pisa, Italy, 56126, Italy, 2Institute of Archaeology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow.
Session: 1
Poster number: 19
The double burial from Sunghir is a spectacular Upper Palaeolithic funerary example dated to about 24.000 BP. A boy (S2) and a girl (S3), respectively about 13 and 10 years old, were buried at the same time, head to head, covered by red ocher and ornamented with extraordinarily rich grave goods. Examination of the two skeletons revealed that the S3 femora are short and exhibit marked antero-posterior bowing. Pathology is confined to the femora. No other part of this well-preserved specimen shows any abnormality. Previous analyses have attributed these deformities to a congenital condition of uncertain origin, although congenital diseases generally result in diffuse bowing deformities and other skeletal anomalies not shown by S3. However, occasional reports of rare, unclassifiable congenital conditions presenting localised, and sometimes bilateral, bowing and shortening of long bones suggest that this possibility cannot be ruled out. Faulty foetal posture is an additional factor invoked in explaining neonatal localized bowing of long bones. Absence of shortening of affected bones and the very favourable prognosis of those changes, which resolve during growth, speak against such attribution. A further, and more likely possibility, is an early bilateral fracture of femoral shafts, healed with permanent shortening and bowing. Lack of modern treatment could explain the greater severity exhibited in comparison to today's clinical cases. Relationships between physical abnormalities and extraordinary Upper Palaeolithic funerary patterns have been suggested elsewhere. The double burial from Sunghir provides additional support for this point of view. Supported by CNR (99.03689.PF36) and Bioanthropological Foundation (1998-1999).

The one-million-year-old human remains from the Danakil (Afar) Depression of Eritrea	Grand Ballroom E: Saturday Afternoon - April 13, 2002, 3:30 -3:45 PM
R. Macchiarelli(1), L. Bondioli(2), A. Coppa(3), Y. Libsekal(4), L. Rook(5), E. Abbate(5).
1Laboratoire de Géobiologie, Biochronologie et Paléontologie Humaine, Univ. de Poitiers, Poitiers, Poitou, 86000, France, 2Sect. Anthrop., Natl. Prehistoric Ethnographic, 3Dept. Animal & Hum. Biol., Univ. of Rome, 4National Museum of Eritrea, Asmara, 5Dept. Earth Sciences, Univ. of Florence, Italy.
Session: 29
Poster number:
Geopaleontological research carried out in the northern Danakil (Afar) Depression of Eritrea by an Italo-Eritrean team resulted in the discovery of several late Early Pleistocene fossiliferous sites in the area of Buia (Abbate et al., 1998). Paleoanthropological findings consist of one-million-year-old cranial (UA 31), postcranial (UA 173), and dental (UA 222 and 369) remains from a single outcrop in Uadi Aalad. The UA 31 cranium expresses a remarkable blend of morphological features in the neurocranium and face. The braincase is long and exceptionally narrow which, combined with its relatively great height, results in an estimated endocranial volume of 900 cc. Based on two associated pelvic fragments (UA 173), we consider UA 31 a probable female, although it has prominent, thick supraorbital tori. There is an especially large zygomatic process filled by a voluminous maxillary sinus. The height of the maxilla probably is the largest found in any known hominid from Pleistocene Africa. We also note the low position of the zygomatic root. There are few comparable specimens from this time period in Africa, but considering earlier ER 3733 and 3883, OH 9) or later (OH 12, Bodo) specimens, UA 31 differs markedly, illustrating the great variability of Early-Middle Pleistocene Homo. The "Buia Research Project", initiated by the Univ. of Florence and developed in collaboration with the National Museum of Eritrea and the Eritrea Dept. of Mines, is supported by the Italian CNR, the Univ. of Florence, the Italian Ministry for Foreign Affairs, the MURST COFIN99, and the L.S.B. Leakey Foundation.

The Samnites of Alfedena Iron Age Burials: An Assessment of inter-personal cranial trauma	Grand Pavilion: Thursday Morning - April 11, 2002, 8:30 am -12:00 noon
D. Mancinelli(1), R.R. Paine(2), M. Ruggieri(3), A. Coppa(4).
1Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, University of L'Aquila, L'Aquila, Abruzzo, 67100, Italy, 2Dept of Sociology, Anthropology & SW, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 74910, USA, 3Soprintendenza Archeologica dell'Abruzzo, Chieti, Italy, 4University of Rome, Rome, 185, Italy.
Session: 1
Poster number: 21
The Samnites of Alfedena Iron Age skeletal population (6th & 5th centuries B.C.) excavated during the 1973-74 field seasons from the Abruzzi region of Italy was first examined for cranial trauma in 1981 by Macchiarelli et al. They found four cases with cranial trauma specific to inter-personal conflict. This well documented Italian population was recently reexamined for cranial & post- cranial trauma. Of the 95 individuals examined (87 skulls), 18 adult individuals (18.9%) exhibited intentional trauma, 12 (13.8%) of them have cranial injuries. Our findings suggest that inter-personal conflict had been grossly under-estimated for Alfedena (1981). A break down of cranial trauma by sex shows 18% of the males and 4% of the females suffered intentional trauma, resulting in antemortem healing, or perimortem injury and death. Our findings under- score the violent circumstances experienced during the Iron Age protohistory of Italy, a period of time characterized by considerable population growth related to improved agricultural practices. Males were more likely to exhibit cranial trauma than females, suggesting that external social pressure for resources was considerable. We compared this material to a second population consisting of 108 individuals also from the Alfedena necropolis. This material had been excavated during the late 19th and early 20th centuries and had not been examined for trauma prior to our research. In this second collection we found an additional 14 intentional, interpersonal injuries, 12 of them to the cranium, representing 12.9 % of this segment of the population. In summary, of the 195 skulls examined, 26 individuals (13.3 % of them) exhibit cranial trauma. This research was supported in part by MURST COFIN00 & CNR "PF Beni Culturali" grant n. 01.00524.PF36.

The elusive 'second species' at the Sterkfontein fossil site: the dental evidence	Grand Ballroom E: Thursday Afternoon - April 11, 2002, 1:45 -2:00 PM
J. Moggi-Cecchi.
Laboratori di Antropologia, Dipartimento di Biologia Animale e Genetica, Università di Firenze, Florence, Italy, 50122, Italy.
Session: 10
Poster number:
Hominid specimens recovered from Member 4 of the Sterkfontein site have been assigned to Australopithecus africanus. Several studies suggested that a few specimens may represent another taxon (e.g. Clarke, 1994). The coefficient of variations (CV) of both MD and BL diameters of the extended dental sample from Sterkfontein have been compared with those of other fossil hominid species. For some teeth and some diameters, the Sterkfontein sample shows higher CV values than the other samples, although no consistent pattern seems to be evident. Overall, the descriptive analysis of the CVs does not provide a strong evidence for the existence of a 'second species' in the Sterkfontein sample. A metrical analysis comparing the mean values of the MD and BL diameters with those of the combined sample of South African 'robust' Australopithecines has also been carried out. Overall, anterior teeth of 'robust' Australopithecines are significantly smaller than those of A. africanus, whereas the opposite is true for the premolars. The mean values of the molar teeth of A. africanus do not differ significantly from those of A. robustus, with a few exceptions. Some molar teeth of the Sterkfontein sample are comparable in size with those of A. robustus. However, it seems difficult at this stage to assign isolated teeth to a species different from A. africanus only on the basis of dental dimensions. The combined information from the CV analysis and the metrical comparisons does not provide a conclusive evidence for the existence of a 'second species' in the Sterkfontein Member 4. At this stage, on the basis of the metrical dental evidence alone, the 'second species' remains elusive.

Biodemographic Structure of An Ancient Population: The Cholera Epidemic of 1837 In Alia (Palermo, Sicily)	Grand Ballroom B: Friday Morning - April 12, 2002, 9:15 -9:30 AM
S. Tulumello(1), R. Bigazzi(1), S. De Iasio(2).
1Dipartimento Di Biologia Animale E Genetica. Laboratori di Antropologia, Firenze, Italy, 50122, Italy, 2Dipartimento di Biologia Evolutiva E Funzionale, University Of Parma, Italy.
Session: 13
Poster number:
Changes due to epidemics, droughts and other environmental inputs can affect the history of human populations. A rare opportunity was afforded to conduct a study that integrated skeletal biology, population genetics, historical demography and biodemography by the discovery of a cave containing skeletal remains from 300 individuals who died during the cholera epidemic of 1837 in Alia, Sicily, and by the existence of complete and well-preserved registers of birth, marriage and death, from 1800 to 1890 for the same population. Alia is a village of 3000 inhabitants, located in the center of Sicily. The main purpose of the research is to make observations on changes of demographical parameters of a ancient population, in relation with environmental stresses such as a cholera epidemic. The 30.000 records of births, marriages and deaths have been inserted in the program WinFamy, elaborated by Sergio De Iasio, University of Parma. The results show two peaks in the rate of mortality during the epidemic, one in early July and the second at the end of August, and changes in other demographic parameters: decrease of births (25%) and marriages, higher mortality rate for women of reproductive age (30%), children less than 10 years and peasants (60%). The study of the surnames, with their frequencies and variations, allow us to investigate the presence of migration. In Alia there are 1150 different family names in birth registers and 525 in marriages registers; the 20 more frequent names represent 1/3 of the total. This is characteristic of an isolated population with low level of immigration and high level of consanguinity.