Stature in Holocene foragers of North India

Bibliographic Data

ID8317607
AuthorsJ R Lukacs (0000-0002-2541-7270, University of Oregon, corresponding author), J N Pal (Department of Ancient History Culture and Archaeology University of Allahabad Allahabad India), Judit Pál (0000-0001-7935-6787, University of Allahabad), Greg C Nelson (Department of Anthropology University of Oregon Eugene OR 97403)
Year2014
Volume153
Issue3
Pages408-416
Publication date2014-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0002-9483 • E-ISSN: 1096-8644
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajpa.22439
PMID24374782
OpenAlexW1744450824
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited42

The Ganga Plain of North India provides an archaeological and skeletal record of semi‐nomadic Holocene foragers in association with an aceramic Mesolithic culture. Prior estimates of stature for Mesolithic Lake Cultures (MLC) used inappropriate equations from an American White reference group and need revision. Attention is given to intralimb body proportions and geo‐climatic provenance of MLC series in considering the most suitable reference population. Regression equations from ancient Egyptians are used in reconstructing stature for MLC skeletal series from Damdama (DDM), Mahadaha (MDH), and Sarai Nahar Rai (SNR). Mean stature is estimated at between 174 (MDH) and 178 cm (DDM and SNR) for males, and between 163 cm (MDH) and 179 cm (SNR) for females. Stature estimates based on ancient Egyptian equations are significantly shorter (from 3.5 to 7.1 cm shorter in males; from 3.2 to 7.5 cm shorter in females) than estimates using the American White reference group. Revised stature estimates from tibia length and from femur + tibia more accurately estimate MLC stature for two reasons: a) these elements are highly correlated with stature and have lower standard estimates of error, and b) uncertainty regarding methods of measuring tibia length is avoided. When compared with Holocene samples of native Americans and Mesolithic Europeans, MLC series from North India are tall. This aspect of their biological variation confirms earlier assessments and results from the synergistic influence of balanced nutrition from broad‐spectrum foraging, body‐proportions adapted to a seasonally hot and arid climate, and the functional demands of a mobile, semi‐nomadic life‐style. Am J Phys Anthropol 153:408–416, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Archaeology · Biology · Foraging · Geography · Holocene · Mesolithic · Population · Demography · Ecology · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Paleopathology and ancient diseases · Pleistocene-Era Hominins and Archaeology