Cultural inter-population differences do not reflect biological distances: an example of interdisciplinary analysis of populations from Eastern Adriatic coast

Abstract

AimTo compare the population group from the Šopot graveyard with population groups from traditional Croatian medieval graveyards by using anthropological, craniometrics, and mitochondrial (mtDNA) analysis and to examine if the cultural differences between population groups reflect biological differences.MethodsWe determined sex, age at death, pathological, and traumatic changes of skeletal remains from the Šopot graveyard and compared them with a cumulative medieval sample from the same region. We also performed principal component analysis to compare skeletal remains from Šopot with those from Ostrovica and other Central European samples according to 8 cranial measurements. Finally, we compared 46 skeletons from Šopot with medieval (Ostrovica) and contemporary populations using mDNA haplogroup profiling.ResultsThe remains from Šopot were similar to the cumulative sample in lifestyle and quality of life markers. Principal component analysis showed that they were closely related to Eastern Adriatic coast sites (including Ostrovica and Šopot) in terms of cranial morphology, indicating similar biological makeup. According to mDNA testing, Šopot population showed no significant differences in the haplogroup prevalence from either medieval or contemporary populations.ConclusionThis study shows that the Šopot population does not significantly differ from other medieval populations from this area. Besides similar quality of life markers, these populations also had similar biological markers. Substantial archeological differences can therefore be attributed to apparent cultural influences, which in this case do not reflect biological differences.

Sex estimation standards for medieval and contemporary Croats

“…However, even though it achieved relatively high classification accuracy for females (85%), it is not at that extent important for sex estimation as it is significant for population affinity. This topic has been covered in the previous study that showed a strong association between genetic markup and cranial measurements ( 37 ). Thus, it additionally supports the application of developed functions on the modern sample.…”

“…In cases where pelvis was not preserved or morphological indicators were not consistent, we conducted an analysis of ancient DNA, ie, amelogenin locus using previously described protocol (12,35-37). …”

“…In cases of preserved pelvis, we assessed sex by the examination of sex-specific morphological characteristics including the greater sciatic notch, ventral arc, subpubic concavity, medial aspect of ischiopubic ramus, and preauricular sulcus ( 12 , 32 - 34 ). In cases where pelvis was not preserved or morphological indicators were not consistent, we conducted an analysis of ancient DNA, ie, amelogenin locus using previously described protocol ( 12 , 35 - 37 ).…”

The Return of the Warrior: Combining Anthropology, Imaging Advances, and Art in Reconstructing the Face of the Early Medieval Skeleton

“…Most of the 108 graves were on the edges of the burial site, with the remaining seven graves being found further north and forming the second group. These burials can be dated to the early ninth century and are described as the oldest burial horizon, mainly consisting of single graves [22][23][24][25]. A male from Grave 63 belonged to the first burial group and was buried in a wooden coffin with no grave goods.…”

Risk factors affecting the epidemiological situation of tuberculosis, clinical and epidemiological features of pulmonary tuberculosis in rural areas

“…На формирование уровня здоровья населения различных территорий оказывает влияние комплекс факторов: социальных, географических, экологических и др [1,3,9,11,14,17]. Отдельные группы населения могут отличаться друг от друга особенностями состояния здоровья даже в пределах сравнительно ограниченной территории [1,2,5,7,12,26].…”