essay

Patterns of diet and disease: health profiles for the prehistoric Southwest

themes in southwest prehistory • [Seattle] • Published In 1994 • Pages: 87-108

By: Martin, Debra L..

Abstract

Martin discusses indicators of health and nutrition in the Southwest from around 1000 BC to AD 1550 with an emphasis on AD 900 to 1550. Only the data that pertain to the Late Anasazi were marked for OCM (Outline of Cultural Materials) codes. She includes the Anasazi, Hohokam, and the Mogollon in her discussions. Only the data that pertain to the Early Anasazi were marked for OCM (Outline of Cultural Materials) codes. Martin "outlines the general biological effects of disease and dietary stress in the prehistoric Southwest and briefly summarizes emergent regional and temporal trends in health. ... The profiles focus on paleopathology data…" (page 90). There were persistent nutritional deficiencies from the maize diet; unsanitary and crowded living conditions meant there were more communicable diseases and parasites; most adults had carried heavy loads throughout their lives and so had arthritis and spinal degeneration; and there was high infant and childhood mortality. Yet many females lived past child bearing years to old age and many men and women lived into their seventies. She ends her discussion with numerous questions that can be answered by using the human remains to learn more about Southwestern prehistoric health profiles.

HRAF PubDate

2012

Region

North America

Sub Region

Southwest and Basin

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Physical Anthropologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

Analyst

Sarah Berry; 2011

Field Date

not specified

Coverage Date

1100-450 BP (AD 900-1550)

Coverage Place

Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Utah, United States

Notes

Debra L. Martin

for bibliographical references see document 11:Gummerman

LCCN

93020323

LCSH

Indians of North America--Antiquities