Cry Havoc: Interpersonal Violence at Early Bronze Age Bab edh-Dhra’

Abstract

In this article, we utilize a bioarchaeological approach to assess the pervasiveness of violence during a dynamic period of social change at Early Bronze Age (EBA) Bab edh-Dhra', Jordan. The human remains studied are from EBIA (3500-3300 B.C.E.) shaft tombs used by the inhabitants of ephemeral settlements and from EBII-III (3100-2300 B.C.E.) charnel house A22, which dates to the urban occupation of the site. Adult crania, ulnae, and radii were examined for fracture. There were no significant differences by period, except when ulnae and radii were considered together. Bab edh-Dhra' was then compared to published studies of violence and showed a relatively high rate of cranial fracture during both periods, with a moderate rate of forearm fracture during EBII-III. The EBIA radii and ulnae exhibited no evidence of trauma. Accidents along rough terrain, falls among terraced housing, construction and agricultural activities, and violence were probable causes of forearm injury. The archaeological record suggests a diachronic increase in conflict, catalyzed by growing population density, social stratification, regional hostilities, and environmental degradation. Although the causes of EBA violence remain speculative, cranial fracture patterns indicate a notable prevalence of conflict-related trauma across the period. [ bioarchaeology, Ancient Near East, conflict, paleopathology, fracture] RESUMEN En este artículo, utilizamos una aproximación bio-arqueológica para evaluar la prevalencia de la violencia durante un período dinámico de cambio social en la Edad Temprana de Bronce (EBA) en Bad edh-Dhra', Jordania. Los restos humanos estudiados corresponden a tumbas fosas del EBIA (3500-3300 A.E.C.) usados por los habitantes de asentamientos efímeros, y de EBII-III (3100-2300 A.E.C.) osario A22, los cuales datan de la ocupación urbana del sitio.Cráneos de adultos, cúbitos y radios se examinaron por fractura. No hubo diferencias significativas por período, excepto cuando los cúbitos y radios fueron considerados juntos. Bab edh-Dhra' se comparó luego con estudios publicados de violencia y mostró una alta tasa de fractura craneal durante ambos períodos, con una tasa que va de bajo a moderado de fractura de antebrazo durante EBII-III. La radios y cúbitos correspondientes a EBIA mostraron no evidencia de trauma. Accidentes a lo largo de terrenos hostiles, caídas en viviendas de terrazas, actividades de construcción y agrícolas, y violencia fueron probables causas de lesiones de antebrazo. Los registros arqueológicos sugieren un incremento diacrónico en conflicto, catalizado por una creciente densidad de población, estratificación social, hostilidades regionales, y degradación ambiental. Aunque las causas de la violencia en EBA permanecen siendo especulativas, los patrones de fractura craneal indican una notable prevalencia de trauma relacionado con el conflicto a lo largo del período. [bioarqueología, Antiguo Cercano Oriente, conflicto, paleopatología, fractura]

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