Activity patterns in the Sahara Desert: An interpretation based on cross‐sectional geometric properties

Abstract

The Garamantian civilization flourished in modern Fezzan, Libya, between 900 BC and 500 AD, during which the aridification of the Sahara was well established. Study of the archaeological remains suggests a population successful at coping with a harsh environment of high and fluctuating temperatures and reduced water and food resources. This study explores the activity patterns of the Garamantes by means of cross-sectional geometric properties. Long bone diaphyseal shape and rigidity are compared between the Garamantes and populations from Egypt and Sudan, namely from the sites of Kerma, el-Badari, and Jebel Moya, to determine whether the Garamantian daily activities were more strenuous than those of other North African populations. Moreover, sexual dimorphism and bilateral asymmetry are assessed at an intra- and inter-population level. The inter-population comparisons showed the Garamantes not to be more robust than the comparative populations, suggesting that the daily Garamantian activities necessary for survival in the Sahara Desert did not generally impose greater loads than those of other North African populations. Sexual dimorphism and bilateral asymmetry in almost all geometric properties of the long limbs were comparatively low among the Garamantes. Only the lower limbs were significantly stronger among males than females, possibly due to higher levels of mobility associated with herding. The lack of systematic bilateral asymmetry in cross-sectional geometric properties may relate to the involvement of the population in bilaterally intensive activities or the lack of regular repetition of unilateral activities.

The impact of terrain on lower limb bone structure

“…Data from Africa comprise hunter‐gatherer samples from the South African Later Stone Age (10,000–2000 BP), and North Africa and Middle East sites ranging from about 16,800–8000 BP, and primarily agriculturalist and pastoralist sites from Saharan Africa, dating from about 5050 BP to 500 AD (Nikita, Siew, Stock, Mattingly, & Lahr, ; Stock & Pfeiffer, ).…”

Evaluating the efficiency of different recording protocols for entheseal changes in regards to expressing activity patterns using archival data and cross‐sectional geometric properties

“…The ratios I x / I y and I max / I min are indicative of cross‐sectional shape as they represent the distribution of cortical bone within the section (Stock and Pfeiffer, ; Lieberman et al, ; Ruff et al, ; Ruff, ). To calculate the above properties, a non‐destructive method was employed following the procedure described in Nikita et al ().…”

Conceptualizing socio‐hydrological drought processes: The case of the Maya collapse

“…In this respect, taking a historical socio‐hydrological approach and examining ancient societies is of great potential value. The archeological data show that several societies, e.g., the Maya civilization [ Douglas et al ., ], the Garamantian population in modern day Libya [ Nikita et al ., ] and the Khmer society in modern day Cambodia [ Buckley et al ., ], have been able to survive in harsh environments for centuries. What these societies have in common is their ability to shape their environment through reservoirs, tunnels and/or irrigation ditches.…”