Insights on patterns of developmental disturbances from the analysis of linear enamel hypoplasia in a Neolithic sample from Liguria (northwestern Italy)

ConclusionLEH may reflect life-history in the local ecology of Neolithic Liguria, where several individuals with osteoarticular tuberculosis have been recorded. Disease burden may have triggered developmental disturbances around the time of weaning. Age at first defect was negatively correlated with age at death and positively with the total number of defects, suggesting that early stress may have affected survivorship.SignificanceThe study contributes to the reconstruction of ecological pressures among Neolithic people of Liguria, and informs on environmental challenges during the Neolithic adaptive expansion.LimitationsThe visual examination of macrophotos is prone to observer error; mid-crown tends to display more visible LEH due to tooth architecture.Suggestions for further researchApply different quantitative methods to examine severity and duration of disturbances.
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - Category: Pathology Source Type: research