CROSS-SECTIONAL GEOMETRY AND MUSCULOSKELETAL MARKERS OF THE UPPER LONG BONES: A COMPARISON BETWEEN TURKEY CREEK PUEBLO AND POINT OF PINES PUEBLO

Abstract

Archaeological evidence suggests early inhabitants of East-Central Arizona practiced both farming and foraging. Patterned differences in labor investments in archaeological populations can be obtained from reconstructing repetitive behaviors by using cross-sectional geometry (dimensions) and musculoskeletal markers (entheses) of the upper long bones. The humerus, radius, ulna, and clavicle were used in the cross-sectional geometry and the musculoskeletal markers analysis, and the scapula was added as an additional element to the musculoskeletal marker’s component. The elements were compared between site location, age, and by sex (males vs. females) in a series of skeletal samples from Turkey Creek Pueblo (1225 CE-1286 CE) and Point of Pines Pueblo (1225 CE- 1450 CE) to test the hypothesis there would be a difference in upper long bone dimensions and entheses between sex, age, and site location. The results show that the cross-sectional geometry (CSG) of all the elements except the clavicle show a significant correlation in robust dimensions with the radius being significantly different between locations, age, and sexes with females being more robust than males in both Turkey Creek and Point of Pines Pueblo and becoming more robust with age. The musculoskeletal markers (MSM) results indicate a difference in entheses size between sites with the clavicle, radius, and ulna being larger in Point of Pines Pueblo than in Turkey Creek, and no difference in sex or age or between locations. The findings of CSG and MSMs are significant as the results suggest the people of Point of Pines Pueblo contain more robust dimensions and entheses possibly due to differences in habitual activities and labor investments.