essay

Physical characteristics and skeletal biology of the Moche population at Pacatnamu

, the moche occupation2 • Published In 1997 • Pages: 189-214

By: Verano, John W..

Abstract
The author analyzed the human skeletal remains of 84 individuals and 590 isolated skeletal elements from Pacatnamu in the Jequetepeque Valley. All age groups were represented, and at the H45CM1 cemetery which produced 67 individuals, the age distribution is consistent with a U-shaped mortality curve. There were age differences in mortality: in general females outlived males by nineteen years. Descriptions include cranial deformation, height, diet based on analysis of isotopic ratios, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis, dental problems, nutritional stress during childhood, trauma such as fractures, infections, and developmental anomalies. Differences in the craniofacial morphology indicate the different cemeteries at site were used by different groups, perhaps different kinship groups. Data summary tables are provided.
Subjects
Anthropometry
Ontogenetic data
Morbidity
Mortality
Body alterations
Lineages
Burial practices and funerals
tradition
Moche
HRAF PubDate
2015
Region
South America
Sub Region
Central Andes
Document Type
essay
Evaluation
Creator Type
Physical Anthropologist
Document Rating
4: Excellent Secondary Data
5: Excellent Primary Data
Analyst
Sarah Berry; 2013
Field Date
1987
Coverage Date
1600-1250 BP (AD 400-750)
Coverage Place
Pacatnamú, Guadalupe district, Pacasmayo (Jequetepeque Valley), La Libertad, Peru
Notes
John W. Verano
For bibliographic references see document 27: Donnan (1997, Bibliography)
LCCN
86061112
LCSH
Pacatnamú Site (Peru)