Postural behaviour of Later Stone Age people in South Africa

Dewar, Genevieve; Pfeiffer, Susan

Postural behaviour of Later Stone Age people in South Africa

Journal Article

2004

Journal Title

South African Archaeological Bulletin

Link to Journal

http://www.archaeologysa.co.za/saab

Publisher

South African Archaeological Society

Publisher

University of Cape Town

Department

Department of Archaeology

Faculty

Faculty of Science

Abstract

Prehistoric human skeletal remains from Later Stone Age archaeological sites, South Africa, were examined for evidence of habitual use of a squatting posture during life. Bony facets that are believed to be associated with habitual squatting were identified on the tali and the proximal tibial condyles of adult bones. The sample (n=98 adults) was found to exhibit the highest frequency yet reported of the lateral F squatting facet on the talus. A high frequency of medial traits is also reported, including both the medial squatting facet and medial condylar rounding, which have been rare in other populations. There is no statistically significant difference in the expression of traits by broadly defined time periods, age at death, or sex. Individuals from the same region show similar patterns of squatting facets, but there is considerable interregional variation among the Western Cape, the Southern Cape, and the Eastern Cape. The pattern of traits related to squatting postures is consistent with lean body builds, in which there is little soft tissue resistance to deep joint flexion. Most adults appear to have regularly assumed the squatting posture, but there may have been regional differences in stance preferences.