Health, stress, and urbanism in the Hellenistic-Roman metropolis of Nea Paphos, Cyprus

A comparative analysis

Bibliographic Data

ID4622245
AuthorsG Ioannou (0000-0002-8082-7563, Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Center The Cyprus Institute Nicosia Cyprus, corresponding author), K O Lorentz (0000-0001-9630-6124, Science and Technology in Archaeology and Culture Research Center The Cyprus Institute Nicosia Cyprus)
Year2023
Volume33
Issue5
Pages955-966
Publication date2023-09-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/oa.3257
OpenAlexW4386864484
LanguageEN
Citations received4
References cited43

We explore health and stress in the urban metropolis Nea Paphos (Cyprus) and its surrounding territory during the Hellenistic (312-58 BC) and Roman (58 BC to 395 AD) periods, through a bioarchaeological study. Data were acquired from macroscopic analyses of human remains from two necropoleis in Paphos district: the Eastern Necropolis of Nea Paphos (minimum number of individuals = 165) and the necropolis of Ktima-Upper City (minimum number of individuals = 207). Data have been acquired from adult/nonadult and male/female individuals through analysis of specific health indicators. These are porotic hyperostosis (PH), cribra orbitalia (CO), and linear enamel hypoplasia. Overall, health indicators were recorded in low to moderate frequencies in both sites. Ktima-Upper City showed higher frequency of linear enamel hypoplasia (31.8%) compared with Nea Paphos (9.4%), while PH and CO were more prevalent within Eastern Necropolis (CO: 31.3% vs 8% and PH: 29.2% vs 13.9%) suggesting that people living in the capital were more exposed to factors causing CO and PH, during childhood. Intrasite analysis showed differences between the two sexes and the occurrence of health stressors. These factors are likely linked with social, cultural, and dietary differences, subsequently reflecting a larger and more heterogeneous population within and between the two sites. The findings suggest that there are differences between urban Nea Paphos and Ktima-Upper City. These differences are not major yet indicating some division between the two groups. This study is one of the first to investigate urbanism and health in ancient Cyprus, with focus on the Hellenistic-Roman periods. The comparison of the two sites provides new insights into the health of Hellenistic-Roman Cypriot populations, enabling future investigation and comparison between urban-rural regional and neighboring sites

Archaeology · Enamel hypoplasia · Enamel paint · Geography · Population · Socioeconomics · Sociology · Urbanism · Demography · Dentistry · Forensic and Genetic Research · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Medicine · Paleopathology and ancient diseases

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