ANALYSIS OF SKELETAL MATERIAL FROM THE KOM EL-DIKKA SITE, 2004/2005 SEASON
ANALYSIS OF SKELETAL MATERIAL FROM THE KOM EL-DIKKA SITE, 2004/2005 SEASON

Summary/Abstract: During the 2004/2005 season, part of the skeletal material excavated from the Islamic cemeteries on Kom el-Dikka in Alexandria in 2002–2004 was subjected to anthropological analysis. Of the 32 grave units that were studied, 29 belonged to the so-called Upper Necropolis (11th–12th century). The analyzed series consisted mainly of commingled, badly fragmented and eroded remains. Much of the material was mixed owing to the collective character of the burials. The 83 individuals have been characterized by sex, age at death and intra-vital height. Enamel hypoplasia and porous hyperostoses, common nutritional stress indicators, as well as degenerative changes of the spine and extraspinal joints have also been taken into account. The frequency and severity of the so-called degenerative changes have been found to be markedly higher in males giving the general impression that in the series men more often than women took up activities that put heavy loads on their joints. This however, needs to be investigated further.

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