A Traditional Approach to Analyzing Stunted Femoral Growth in Peruvian Highlands

Summary

Minimal research has been done on observing whether there have been incidences of stunted growth in populations, in times of environmental stress and social turmoil. One such example are the populations found during the Late Intermediate Period (~AD 1000-1400, LIP) in the South-Central Peruvian highlands. Utilizing Buikstra and Ubelaker’s Standards, nine measurements were taken on the femora of 37 individuals (N=37) from the sites of Sonhuayo, Masumachay, and Mina Cachilhuancaray in the Andahuaylas region of the South-Central Peruvian highlands during the LIP. Measurements were used to calculate individual, population heights, and sex to compare within and between population variation and the possibility of stunted growth.The results showed an average of maximum length of 39.46cm within the population. The 7males (N=7) have an average maximum length of 41.33cm, with a minimum and maximum of 38.2cm and 44cm. The 30 females(N=30) have an average maximum length of 38.99cm, with a minimum and maximum of 33.2cm and 43cm Stunted individuals were determined by finding those who fell one or two standard deviations below the mean. Out of all three sites, five female individuals fell below this range, which can aid in questions pertaining to further research.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 83rd Annual Meeting, Washington, DC (2018)

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Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 18835