essay
The Preclassic population of Cuello
cuello : an early maya community in belize • Cambridge [England] • Published In 1991 • Pages: 134-158
By: Saul, Frank P., Saul, Julie Mather.
Abstract
Saul and Saul examine the skeletal remains from122 Preclassic human burials uncovered at Cuello. The main objective of the study was to determine the state of health of the population. They diagnosed fractures, dental carries and attrition, cranial traumas, arthritis, bone inflammations (associated with syphilis and yaws), head shaping, and lesions of various kinds. Linear enamel hypoplasia is associated with childhood diseases or malnutrition. Lesions in the skull (spongy or hyperostosis cranii) are associated with different kinds of anemia. Ossified subperiostal hemorrhages may indicate vitamin C deficiency. An increasing frequency over time of linear enamel hypoplasia suggests that the overall health and nutritional conditions of the population deteriorated. A high incidence of dental attrition is attributed to the grit in the food resulting from grinding corn with stones. Only six individuals showed signs of head shaping.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2001
- Region
- Middle America and the Caribbean
- Sub Region
- Maya Area
- Document Type
- essay
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Archaeologist
- Document Rating
- 4: Excellent Secondary Data
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 2000
- Field Date
- 1975-1980
- Coverage Date
- 2900-1900 BP
- Coverage Place
- Cuello, Belize
- Notes
- Frank P. Saul and Julie Mather Saul
- For bibliographical references see document number 9: Anonymous
- LCCN
- 90001858
- LCSH
- Mayas--Antiquities