Homo-Journal of Comparative Human Biology最新文献

In Kampehl, a village northwest of Berlin, a mummified body is preserved and exhibited in a church annexe. It is said to represent the remains of Christian Friedrich von Kahlbutz (1651-1702), a local nobleman. According to local legend, he swore before a court that his body would not decay if he were the culprit in an alleged case of murder. We offer the first comprehensive investigation of the mummy using anthropological and historical methods. A CT scan of the mummy revealed an intact skeleton without signs of injury or major disease, minimal remnants of inner organs, a pencil inside the thoracic cavity, likely introduced as a hoax, and a coin-shaped metallic object inside the oral cavity. Sex and age of the body match the historical individual, as does radiocarbon dating. Results of palaeogenetic investigations are limited due to poor endogenous DNA quality. Historical research could establish the place of birth of Christian Friedrich von Kahlbutz as likely being near Lüneburg, i.e., outside Brandenburg. He had military training before living the life of a feudal lord in Kampehl, where he married and had twelve children. Even without a name on the coffin, the identification of the mummy with this historical individual seems plausible. There is only indirect evidence for a historical trial for murder against him. All findings speak for natural mummification, which is not unheard of in the region, as is the placing of a coin into the mouth of a deceased individual as burial object.

Lead is one of the most toxic heavy metals and environmental pollutants on earth capable of adversely affecting every organ in the human body, with harmful short- and long-term effects. In the Laurion region of southeastern Attica, Greece, the extraction of silver-rich lead ores has been practiced since prehistoric times. This area was heavily mined during the late Archaic and Classical periods significantly contributing to Athens wealth and sovereignty. Mining and metallurgical activities declined towards late antiquity but resumed in the late 19^th century, continuing until the end of the 20^th century. Vestiges of these activities still dot the landscape posing potential environmental risks. Although the chemical effects of lead on the human skeleton are well-documented, the osteological imprint of lead contamination, especially in classical antiquity, remains unexplored. This paper examines lesions characteristic of lead poisoning found on the remains of a 2-year-old infant from Laurion dating to the Archaic/Early Classical period (6^th5^th century BCE). The study employs non-invasive techniques, including macroscopic analysis, digital microscopy, plain radiography, and micro-CT imaging, to assess the presentation, distribution, pathogenesis, and etiology of the lesions. Anatomical areas formed by endochondral ossification, including the metaphyses of the long bones, the sternal ends of mid-ribs, and the condyle(s) of the mandible, are affected by bone hypertrophy and the formation of lead lines or lead bands. Additionally, hyperplasia of the cranial vault is diagnostic of anemia, while lesions on the endocranial surface indicate encephalopathy, which is associated with high levels of lead exposure and is often fatal. The presence of lesions diagnostic of scurvy and those consistent with rickets further supports the co-occurrence of multiple metabolic diseases in the infant skeleton. The manifestation of these lesions can provide insights into the history of lead toxicity and its lasting effects.

The purpose of our study was to examine the eye parameters in relation to body size, proportions and composition in healthy or age-related macular degeneration affected adults, considering maternal diet during pregnancy. Statistically significant smaller corneal radius was found in maternal undernutrition groups comparing with maternal normal nutrition groups (p < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in retinal parameters or vision (p > 0.05). Statistically significant smaller distal width of humerus and Frame index in both genders, shorter humerus, radius, femur and tibia length in males, lower height, sitting height and shorter fourth finger length in females was found in age-related macular degeneration maternal undernutrition group compared to healthy retina normal nutrition group (p < 0.05). Our study revealed that participants with higher stature, longer limbs, more robust skeleton and higher accumulation of fat on trunk as well as with higher absolute active mass had statistically significant lower chance to suffer from age-related macular degeneration (OR < 1.0; p < 0.05). Subjects which suffered from maternal undernutrition had steeper central corneal radius, but no clear changes in the retinal thickness, which determines maintenance of good visual acuity. Developmental programming theory was supported by anthropometric peculiarities of individuals with age-related macular degeneration in the maternal undernutrition group subjects had smaller distal width of humerus and Frame index, males had shorter humerus, radius, femur and tibia and women had shorter fourth fingers. Taller subjects with longer limbs, higher Frame index, more abundant fat accumulation on trunk, higher absolute active mass had lower chance to suffer from age-related macular degeneration.

A sedentary lifestyle, characterised by a lack of physical activity, negatively influences Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI may be related to the prevalence of flat feet. This study aims to observe the occurrence of flat feet in young children and determine its association with BMI. Additionally, it aims to analyse foot loading in the forefoot, midfoot and rearfoot. Dynamographic records of children (N = 142; age = 10.3 ± 0.21 years) were collected during walking, and foot-type evaluations were conducted using a force plate. A normal foot type was observed in 44% of children (BMI 16.0 ± 2.3 kg/m²). Flat feet were observed in 54% of children (BMI 18.4 ± 4.3 kg/m²). A high foot arch was observed in only 2% of children (BMI 16.0 ± 1.3 kg/m²). Children with flat feet had higher BMI values than those with normal feet. The contact time and maximal vertical force in the forefoot and rearfoot were similar in children with normal and flat feet. Significantly higher pressure values were observed in the midfoot zone of children with flat feet. Regression analysis results showed that in children with flat feet, there is a decrease in forefoot loading and an increase in midfoot loading with increasing BMI. This trend was not observed in children with normal feet. We recommend incorporating exercise interventions at this age to prevent pain and promote willingness to engage in physical activity. Higher BMI values indicate an increased risk for the prevalence of flat feet.

Somatotype and body composition (BC) are related to athletes' physical fitness and performance. The aims of this study were (a) to determine the somatotype and BC profiles of children and adolescent male basketball players and (b) to investigate the relationship between somatotype and BC. Four hundred forty-nine children and adolescent male basketball players between the ages of 7-17 participated in the study voluntarily. Somatotype scores were determined according to the Heath & Carter method, and BC was evaluated by the bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method. Pearson correlation test was used to determine the relationship between somatotype and BC. A significant positive relationship between body mass (BM), body fat (BF), body mass index (BMI), and fat mass (FM) with endomorphy and mesomorphy scores; a significant negative relationship between body height (BH) with endomorphy and mesomorphy scores were found. In addition, ectomorphy scores were significantly positively correlated with BH and negative with other parameters. This current research shows that as age increases, BH, BM, BMI, and FM increase, and BF, endomorphy, and mesomorphy scores decrease. With increasing age, the somatotype score changes from endomorphic mesomorphy (5-7-2) to balanced mesomorphy (3-6-3). The comprehensive data presented in this study can serve as a reference value and be used as an indicator for children and adolescent basketball coaches.

Background: Dental profiling is the process of analyzing teeth to identify a victim or skeletal remains when no antemortem data are available. Using dental profiling techniques, we can determine the age, sex, and population of the individual and gather data about their socio-economic status, personal habits, oral and systemic health, occupation, nutrition, family relationships, and psychological characteristics. Aims: The research aims to gain insights into the diet, health, socio-economic status, and demography of the Late Iron Age inhabitants of Illyrian origin who lived on the Croatian island of Korcula. This will be achieved by analyzing the remains of teeth and jaw bones found in the Kopila necropolis. Material and methods: The research sample comprised 479 permanent teeth and jawbone remains from three tombs that belong to the collection of the Vela Luka Culture Centre on the island of Korcula. The analysis of the teeth included an examination of their morphological and pathological characteristics as well as metric and non-metric variables. Additionally, the stable isotopes of carbon (¹⁴C, ¹³C), nitrogen (¹⁵N), and strontium (^86/87Sr) were chemically analyzed. Odontometry was used as a metric variable and the Arizona State University Dental Anthropology System (ASUDAS) was used as a non-metric variable to determine sex. Results: The research findings indicate that healthy teeth are present with a frequency of dental caries of 5.85% and tooth wear of 85.18%. There is morphological atypicality in the number of roots of the upper premolars and taurodontism in the molars. Stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen show values of d ¹³C = -19.5 (±0.1) and d ¹⁵N = 8.6 (±0.1). The ratio ¹³C/¹⁵N is 3.4. The values of ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr in the dental enamel are 0.7084000.708433, whereas in bones they are 0.7081490.708471 (±1s 0.0000160.000034). Conclusions: The Illyrian community on the island of Korcula relied primarily on agriculture for their food, consuming only cereals, vegetables, and meat from domesticated animals. They did not extensively use marine resources. They were in good health generally. The individuals examined were native residents of the island and can be associated through their dental morphology with the Western Eurasian population group. The average lifespan of the population corresponds to the typical life expectancy during the Late Iron Age.

In 1996, Grün and coworkers provided an ESR age determination for a hominin molar from Florisbad, South Africa, at 259 ± 35 ka. The most anatomically informative hominin specimen from Florisbad is a fragmentary craniofacial specimen, attributed by many to early Homo sapiens, which has been assumed to derive from the same individual as this tooth. Since 1996, evidence about the evolutionary context for the later Middle Pleistocene and its associated hominins in Africa had markedly changed. If the Florisbad date is accurate and if the molar is associated with the craniofacial specimen, this evidence may suggest that Homo naledi coexisted in time and geography with H. sapiens in southern Africa. Thus, the accuracy for all dates needs critical investigation. This study examines the published record of excavation and subsequent analyses for the Florisbad material. We find that the contemporary records raise doubt about the contemporaneity of the tooth and calvaria. The site's complex stratigraphy and the details about the tooth's discovery also pose challenges for the previous ESR age estimate. Because the fragmentary cranial specimen has value for morphological comparisons, developing additional means of understanding its geological age is necessary. The current data do not demonstrate the presence of H. sapiens in southern Africa at ~260 ka.

With the implementation of the three-child policy in China, the debate between fertility and health and longevity has again become a hot topic in the era of increasing ageing. This study aimed to explore the association between reproductive behaviour and longevity of older women and men in China. Based on data from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS) from 2014 to 2018, a total of 1428 deceased older people were enrolled in the study, including 421 centenarians and 1007 non-centenarians. The analysis of the association between fertility and longevity was conducted in the multivariate logistic regression. Compared to women aged 99 years and below, centenarian women had significantly fewer children (p < 0.01), fewer sons (p < 0.01) and fewer daughters. Centenarian men had more children, more daughters and fewer sons. For both men and women, centenarians were significantly characterized by later age at first birth (p < 0.01) and later age at last birth (p < 0.01). Centenarians were significantly characterized by having children and having a daughter, however, non-centenarians were significantly characterized by having a son (p < 0.01). The association between fertility and health of both men and women should be taken into account in the development of fertility policies and supporting policies. Fertility levels should be increased without compromising the health benefits of individuals in their later years.

Five cranial nonmetric traits for sex estimation for sex estimation are classified by score according to geometry. The population of origin is one of the factors influencing cranial nonmetric traits. Moreover, among the five cranial traits, the robust traits for estimating sex varied across population. The aim of this study is to suggest the most useful method for sex estimation and demonstrate the need of a suitable method for each population. One-hundred thirty-five three-dimensional skull images from 21^st century Korean autopsy cadavers were evaluated using the ordinal scoring system of five cranial nonmetric traits as outlined in Buikstra & Ubelaker (1994). All scores of each trait were analyzed by linear discriminant and decision tree analyses for sex estimation. The frequency of each trait was analyzed and compared to populations from other studies. The accuracy for both sexes was 88.1% by discriminant analysis and 90.4% by decision tree. The traits with the highest accuracy were the glabella and mastoid process in both discriminant analysis and decision tree. Sex estimation in modern Korean cadavers using the cranial nonmetric method was shown to be highly accurate by both discriminant analysis and decision tree. When comparing the pattern of frequency scores in this study with those of other populations, the pattern of trait scores for estimating sex was different for each population, even among populations in the same Asian region, which suggests the need for methods suited for specific populations.