A prehistoric example of polydactyly from the Iron Age site of Simbusenga, Zambia

Murphy, Kimmarie A

doi:10.1002/(sici)1096-8644(199903)108:3<311::aid-ajpa6>3.0.co;2-d

Cited by 7 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 18 publications

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“…The vast majority of these come from the American Southwest, where cases have been reported from the sites of Chaco Canyon, New Mexico (Barnes 1994); Pueblo de Las Humanas, Gran Quivira National Monument, New Mexico (Reed 1981:114–115); Sand Canyon Pueblo, Colorado (Kuckelman and Martin 2007); Schoolhouse Point Mound, Arizona (Regan et al 1996:810); and Tapia del Cerrito and Nuvakwewtaqa (Chavez Pass Ruin), Arizona (Case et al 2006). Additional archaeological cases are documented from the Iron Age site of Simbusenga, Zambia (Murphy 1999), from the Moe Kau a Ho‘oilo site in Hawai‘i (Han et al 1986), and most recently from the Inca site of Qotakalli in Cuzco, Peru (Valerie Andrushko, personal communication 2010).…”

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Polydactyly and the Maya: A Review and a Case From the Site of Peligroso, Upper Macal River Valley, Belize

et al. 2012

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A single right fifth metatarsal found in Tomb 1 at Peligroso, Belize exhibited a small deformity in the form of a small (7 mm) accessory digit emanating from the plantar surface at mid-shaft. This Type A postaxial polydactyly is the first archaeological example of polydactyly reported for Mesoamerica. Polydactyly is one of the more commonly reported morphological anomalies and thus its appearance in Maya populations would have been prevalent enough to demand explanation. A review of related terminology in pertinent Amerindian languages is presented as a means of exploring the manners in which digits and the human body are conceptualized. Maya iconographic representations of polydactyly at Palenque have parallels to other Mesoamerican renderings of supernumerary digits used to identify divinities and deified ancestors. However, the Peligroso mortuary context comprised disarticulated and commingled bones, suggesting that the individual did not have a distinctive social role related to the presence of an extra digit.

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Polydactyly and the Maya: A Review and a Case From the Site of Peligroso, Upper Macal River Valley, Belize

et al. 2012

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Supernumerary and absent limbs and digits of the lower limb: A review of the literature

et al. 2011

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Anatomical history over centuries includes description of a wide variety of malformations involving the lower limbs. This article offers an organized review of these diverse abnormalities, including new understanding of mechanisms through recent discoveries in genetics and molecular biology. In 19th century Europe, a number of unique anomalies were reported, as well as evidence of foot amputations occurring in ancient Peruvian culture. Embryologically, the limbs develop early, with the lower limb being recognizable for the first time at stage 13 of development. By stage 23, the toes are clearly defined and by birth, although the legs appear bowed, the tibia and fibula are straight. Removal of the apical ectodermal ridge results in cessation of limb development, conversely, a second apical ectodermal ridge results in duplication of distal structures. Supernumerary limbs have been documented to occur as part of a teratoma with unique morphology and accompanying blood supply. Additionally, many examples of polydactyly occur in the foot postulating that deletion of chromosome 22q11 is involved in postaxial polydactyly. Such deletions occur near the middle of the chromosome at a location designated q11.2 (i.e., on the long arm of one of the pair of chromosomes 22) and this syndrome is also referred to as DiGeorge syndrome, which has a prevalence estimated at 1:4,000. Absence of the lower limbs has also been noted, with hypoplasia of the fibula being the most common manifestation of congenital bone absences in the lower limb. In addition to fibular aplasia, cases of tibial aplasia have been reported. This article is important for surgeons attempting correctional repair of lower limb anomalies, as well as providing analysis of the historical, anatomical and clinical aspects of supernumerary and absent limbs and digits for the lower limb.

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Polydactyly in the prehistoric American Southwest

Case

Hill

Merbs

et al. 2006

Int. J. Osteoarchaeol.

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General surveys of skeletal collections from Arizona for evidence of trauma and pathology led to the identification of polydactyly in two subadults. Polydactyly is a congenital condition characterised by the presence of extra digits on the hands or feet. Both affected subadults exhibit a sixth digit in the form of a branching fifth metatarsal. One of the affected individuals is an infant from the Tapia del Cerrito site exhibiting Y-shaped fifth metatarsals indicative of postaxial type A polydactyly. The second individual is a juvenile from the Nuvakwewtaqa (Chavez Pass Ruin) site exhibiting a left fifth metatarsal with a lateral branch, also diagnosed as postaxial type A polydactyly. These two cases appear to be the first examples of polydactyly from archaeological contexts identified among subadults, and bring the total number of known cases from the American Southwest to six. Discovery of so many examples of this relatively rare condition amongst the Puebloan people of the Southwest adds to the evidence that, rather than simply being an artistic motif, rock art depictions featuring hands and feet with six digits were probably inspired by observation of the condition amongst living people. Furthermore, burial treatment of the Tapia del Cerrito infant suggests that polydactyly may have conferred a special status on the bearer.

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A prehistoric example of polydactyly from the Iron Age site of Simbusenga, Zambia

Cited by 7 publications

References 18 publications

Polydactyly and the Maya: A Review and a Case From the Site of Peligroso, Upper Macal River Valley, Belize

Polydactyly and the Maya: A Review and a Case From the Site of Peligroso, Upper Macal River Valley, Belize

Supernumerary and absent limbs and digits of the lower limb: A review of the literature

Polydactyly in the prehistoric American Southwest

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