Examining the influence of hide processing on Native American upper limb morphology

Abstract

The commercial pelt trade between Native Americans and Europeans flourished in the 17th and 18th centuries. However, the impact of this economic change and increased hide processing efforts on Native American upper limb morphology is unknown. The hide scraping hypothesis, tested in living subjects, suggests that hide processing efforts may lead to significant changes in humeral morphology. Two modern human Native North American skeletal collections from south‐western Virginia, USA, were studied to test if intensive hide processing led to changes in humeral morphology. At the earlier Late Woodland Crab Orchard site, animal skins and furs were prepared for household use. During the occupation of the later early historic Trigg site, processing activities intensified to produce surplus hides for the commercial pelt trade. In this study, the cross‐sectional geometric properties at the mid‐distal humerus (35% of length) of Crab Orchard and Trigg adult males and females were examined. We assessed whether Trigg site individuals had increased humeral symmetry, changes to diaphyseal shape, and increased robusticity. Additionally, humerus morphological properties were compared between males and females to assess if there were sex‐based differences. Trigg site males had greater humeral robusticity than Crab Orchard males. The humeri of females from the Trigg and Crab Orchard sites were both relatively anteroposterior strengthened and displayed quite low levels of bilateral asymmetry. This pattern suggests that females at both sites may have employed techniques that involved bimanual hide processing tools. The differences between the morphologies predicted and those observed in these Native American populations may indicate (a) adaptation to bimanual hide processing techniques or (b) adaptation to osteogenic tasks not involved in hide processing but associated with postcontact economic changes.

The effect of diet and sociopolitical change on physiological stress and behavior in lateRoman‐EarlyByzantine (300–700AD) and Islamic (902–1,235AD) populations from Ibiza, Spain

“…The less circular humeri of Urban Islamic compared to Urban LREB individuals may further indicate chronological changes in the types of manual labor performed by urban groups (Cameron et al, 2018; Wescott, 2014). Given the wide range of trades practiced within an urban environment, identifying the specific activity responsible for shape differences is not possible.…”

“…Lower limb shape and strength have primarily been used to identify differences in levels of terrestrial mobility, because bipedal locomotion creates greater loads in the anteroposterior than the mediolateral plane (Holt, 2003; Lieverse et al, 2011; Marchi et al, 2006; Shaw & Stock, 2009, 2013; Sparacello & Marchi, 2008; Stock & Pfeiffer, 2004). Variation in upper limb shape and strength has been linked to the practice of different subsistence modes and the employment of different technology (Cameron, Lapham, & Shaw, 2018; Haapasalo et al, 1996; Macintosh et al, 2014; Shackelford, 2014; Stock & Pfeiffer, 2004). In archeological studies, increased humeral strength corresponds to evidence for greater habitual loading due to employment of watercraft or intensified resource processing (Cameron & Stock, 2018; Macintosh et al, 2017a; Stock & Pfeiffer, 2004).…”

“…In archeological studies, increased humeral strength corresponds to evidence for greater habitual loading due to employment of watercraft or intensified resource processing (Cameron & Stock, 2018; Macintosh et al, 2017a; Stock & Pfeiffer, 2004). Similarly, the use of different tools alters the habitual range of motion, producing differences in bone shape (Cameron et al, 2018; Stock & Pfeiffer, 2004). For instance, repetitive scraping stimulates uniaxial bone hypertrophy, resulting in less circular humeral diaphyses in indigenous North American females involved in the colonial fur trade (Cameron et al, 2018).…”

“…Similarly, the use of different tools alters the habitual range of motion, producing differences in bone shape (Cameron et al, 2018; Stock & Pfeiffer, 2004). For instance, repetitive scraping stimulates uniaxial bone hypertrophy, resulting in less circular humeral diaphyses in indigenous North American females involved in the colonial fur trade (Cameron et al, 2018).…”

Sex differences in diet and life conditions in a rural Medieval Islamic population from Spain (La Torrecilla, Granada): An isotopic and osteological approach to gender differentiation inal‐Andalus

“…The usefulness of long bone diaphyseal morphology and structure to reconstruct past human behavior is based on the capacity of bones to optimally adapt their form to their mechanical environment throughout life by increasing/decreasing and re‐distributing the amount of bone through remodeling (Ruff, 2008; Ruff et al, 2006). Long bones are considered to behave as hollow engineering beams under loading (Huiskes, 1982; Ruff, 2008); therefore, their mechanical performance is frequently analyzed in anthropology by using engineering principles and diaphyseal properties to infer patterns of past activity (e.g., Bridges et al, 2000; Cameron et al, 2018; Maggiano et al, 2008; May & Ruff, 2016; Miller et al, 2018; Nikita et al, 2011; Ogilvie & Hilton, 2011; Ruff et al, 1984; Stock & Pfeiffer, 2001, 2004; Varalli et al, 2020; Weiss, 2003). Long bone cross‐sectional geometric properties (CSGPs) are ideal for estimating long bone strength and rigidity (Ruff, 2008; Stock & Shaw, 2007); however, estimations of shape and robusticity obtained from external shaft dimensions can be an effective alternative, as shown by the fact that the two approaches yielded similar results and inferences for major trends in activity patterns in some populations (Bridges et al, 2000; Larsen, 1981; Maggiano et al, 2008; Ruff, 1987; Ruff et al, 1984; Wanner et al, 2007).…”