The skeletal findings from excavations in the Batinah, Oman

Summary

Background. The presence of limited settlements has limited the understanding of prehistoric occupation in the Arabian Peninsula (Potts 1990). Interest and research of Arabia during the Bronze (3200-1200 BC) and Iron Age (1200-400 BC) has increased producing a greater understanding of the people from the region and their culture.

Methods. A total of sixty-four tombs were excavated with twenty-seven yielding human remains. These twenty-seven tombs originated from various periods of the Bronze and Iron Age. Each tomb was analyzed independently for demographic information (age and sex) as well as pathological prevalence.

Results. Eight individuals were assessed for age, two non-adults and six adults. Twelve individuals were assessed for sex; six females, four males, and two ambiguous sex. Pathological conditions were identified in fourteen individuals with varying prevalence; dental diseases 9%, new bone formation 14%, osteophyte formation 21%, and metabolic disease 7%.

Discussion. Research on the health and demography of prehistoric Arabian populations can further illuminate the past stories of these regions that are not well understood. Any additional information on the peoples of the past will help with the understanding of health today as well as further elucidate our health history.

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This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 80th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2015)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage