Influence of Squatting Posture on the Talus and Tibia in Early-modern Human Remains from Kumejima, Okinawa, Japan

Abstract

We investigated the influence of squatting posture on 343 adult human tali and 227 adult tibiae of the earlymodern period from Kumejima, Okinawa, Japan. The prevalence of medial squatting facets (malleolar and trochlear surface extensions) in the Kumejima series was as high as that in recent main-island Japanese. Right medial squatting facets were more frequent than left ones, especially in females. However, we found only lateral squatting facets at the lower end of the tibia in the Kumejima series, while the frequency was quite low, especially in females, among East Asians. This finding corresponded to the low frequency of lateral extension of the trochlear surface of the talus. The prevalence of these facets was significantly higher among males than among females, suggesting that males habitually assumed a squatting position more frequently than females did in the early-modern period. These studies suggested that peoples of the early-modern Kumejima Island did not have as many customs involving a squatting position as the early-modern and modern mainland Japanese.

The talus of the pre‐Hispanic population from Punta Azul (El Hierro, Canary Islands): Variability and sexual dimorphism of nonmetric traits

“…This ossicle's lack of fusion may be due to genetic and activity factors during ontogenesis (Grogan et al, 1990), such as repetitive microtrauma by hyperplantarflexion in actions like jumping or intensive running where the foot is quickly extended (Peace et al, 2004). Also, as commented later in depth, sex‐associated variations of the so‐called squatting facets, or the talo‐calcaneal facets configuration, may inform about differences in certain activities performed by males and females (Kuramoto et al, 2009; Pandey & Singh, 1990). Therefore, assessing the prevalence of certain traits in each population and exploring possible differences regarding sex is paramount in reconstructing the daily living and social structure of past populations.…”