Long bone cross-sectional geometric properties of Later Stone Age foragers and herder–foragers

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dc.contributor.authorCameron, Michelle E
dc.contributor.authorPfeiffer, Susan
dc.date.accessioned2021-10-08T07:16:09Z
dc.date.available2021-10-08T07:16:09Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.description.abstractDiaphyseal cross-sectional geometry can be used to infer activity patterns in archaeological populations. We examined the cross-sectional geometric (CSG) properties of adult Later Stone Age (LSA) herder-forager long bones from the inland lower Orange River Valley of South Africa (n=5 m, 13 f). We then compared their CSG properties to LSA forager adults from the coastal fynbos (n=23 m, 14 f) and forest (n=17 m, 19 f) regions, building on a previous report (Stock and Pfeiffer, 2004). The periosteal mould method was used to quantify total subperiosteal area, torsional strength, bilateral asymmetry and diaphyseal circularity (Imax/Imin) at the mid-distal (35%) location of upper arms (humeri) and the mid-shaft (50%) location of upper legs (femora). Maximum humerus and femur lengths were similar among the three samples, suggesting that adult stature was similar in all three regions. When compared to the previous study, CSG property values obtained using the periosteal mould method correlated well, and there were no significant differences between data collected using the different methods. No statistically significant differences were found among the humerus or femur CSG properties from the different regions. This finding suggests that all individuals undertook similar volitional habitual activities in regard to their upper limbs, and also had similar degrees of terrestrial mobility. These results indicate relative behavioural homogeneity among LSA foragers and herder foragers from South Africa. The small degree of regional variation apparent among the three samples may reflect local ecology and the subsistence demands affecting populations in these different regions.
dc.identifier.apacitationCameron, M. E., & Pfeiffer, S. (2014). Long bone cross-sectional geometric properties of Later Stone Age foragers and herder–foragers. <i>South African Journal of Science</i>, 110(43353), 1 - 11. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34779en_ZA
dc.identifier.chicagocitationCameron, Michelle E, and Susan Pfeiffer "Long bone cross-sectional geometric properties of Later Stone Age foragers and herder–foragers." <i>South African Journal of Science</i> 110, 43353. (2014): 1 - 11. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34779en_ZA
dc.identifier.citationCameron, M.E. & Pfeiffer, S. 2014. Long bone cross-sectional geometric properties of Later Stone Age foragers and herder–foragers. <i>South African Journal of Science.</i> 110(43353):1 - 11. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34779en_ZA
dc.identifier.issn0038-2353
dc.identifier.issn1996-7489
dc.identifier.ris TY - Journal Article AU - Cameron, Michelle E AU - Pfeiffer, Susan AB - Diaphyseal cross-sectional geometry can be used to infer activity patterns in archaeological populations. We examined the cross-sectional geometric (CSG) properties of adult Later Stone Age (LSA) herder-forager long bones from the inland lower Orange River Valley of South Africa (n=5 m, 13 f). We then compared their CSG properties to LSA forager adults from the coastal fynbos (n=23 m, 14 f) and forest (n=17 m, 19 f) regions, building on a previous report (Stock and Pfeiffer, 2004). The periosteal mould method was used to quantify total subperiosteal area, torsional strength, bilateral asymmetry and diaphyseal circularity (Imax/Imin) at the mid-distal (35%) location of upper arms (humeri) and the mid-shaft (50%) location of upper legs (femora). Maximum humerus and femur lengths were similar among the three samples, suggesting that adult stature was similar in all three regions. When compared to the previous study, CSG property values obtained using the periosteal mould method correlated well, and there were no significant differences between data collected using the different methods. No statistically significant differences were found among the humerus or femur CSG properties from the different regions. This finding suggests that all individuals undertook similar volitional habitual activities in regard to their upper limbs, and also had similar degrees of terrestrial mobility. These results indicate relative behavioural homogeneity among LSA foragers and herder foragers from South Africa. The small degree of regional variation apparent among the three samples may reflect local ecology and the subsistence demands affecting populations in these different regions. DA - 2014 DB - OpenUCT DP - University of Cape Town IS - 43353 J1 - South African Journal of Science LK - https://open.uct.ac.za PY - 2014 SM - 0038-2353 SM - 1996-7489 T1 - Long bone cross-sectional geometric properties of Later Stone Age foragers and herder–foragers TI - Long bone cross-sectional geometric properties of Later Stone Age foragers and herder–foragers UR - http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34779 ER - en_ZA
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/11427/34779
dc.identifier.vancouvercitationCameron ME, Pfeiffer S. Long bone cross-sectional geometric properties of Later Stone Age foragers and herder–foragers. South African Journal of Science. 2014;110(43353):1 - 11. http://hdl.handle.net/11427/34779.en_ZA
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisher.departmentDepartment of Archaeology
dc.publisher.facultyFaculty of Science
dc.sourceSouth African Journal of Science
dc.source.journalissue43353
dc.source.journalvolume110
dc.source.pagination1 - 11
dc.source.urihttps://dx.doi.org/10.1590/sajs.2014/20130369
dc.subject.otherregional variation
dc.subject.otherHolocene
dc.subject.otherhabitual physical activity
dc.subject.otherbioarchaeology
dc.subject.otherSouth Africa
dc.titleLong bone cross-sectional geometric properties of Later Stone Age foragers and herder–foragers
dc.typeJournal Article
uct.type.publicationResearch
uct.type.resourceJournal Article
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