Book

Black Mesa Anasazi health: reconstructing life from patterns of death and disease

Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Center for Archaeological Investigations • (14) • Published In 1991 • Pages: xix, 314

By: Martin, Debra L., Goodman, Alan H., Armelagos, George J., Magennis, Ann L..

Abstract

Martin et al. describe the various analyses conducted on the skeletal remains found on Black Mesa. They also describe, in detail, the theory behind their analyses and how the analyses were done. They were interested in determining the general health and diet of the people that lived on Black Mesa and how well they adapted to its marginal environment. Included in their analyses are a lifetable to determine birth and death rates; chemical analyses of some bone to examine diet; anthropometric analyses of the bones to determine growth rates and physical activity levels; tooth enamel defects to determine episodes of childhood growth disruption; other dental health problems such as rates of caries, abscesses, and tooth wear; and they examined the bones for indications of porotic hyperostosis that indicates anemia and periosteal reactions that indicates some kind of systemic infection.

HRAF PubDate

2012

Region

North America

Sub Region

Southwest and Basin

Document Type

Book

Evaluation

Creator Types

Archaeologist

Physical Anthropologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Sarah Berry; 2011

Field Date

1968-1983

Coverage Date

1200-850 BP (AD 800-1150)

Coverage Place

Black Mesa, Arizona, United States

Notes

Debra L. Martin ... [et al.]

Based on the findings of the Black Mesa Archaeological Project

Includes bibliographical references (p. 273-302)

LCCN

90061289

LCSH

Pueblo Indians--Antiquities

Pueblo Indians--Anthropometry

Paleopathology--Arizona--Black Mesa (Navajo and Apache Counties) Pueblo Indians--Health and hygiene

Black Mesa (Navajo County and Apache County, Ariz.)--Antiquities