Life in the fast lane: Settled pastoralism in the Central Eurasian Steppe during the Middle Bronze Age

Abstract

Skeletal stress markers and injuries were uncommon among the KA-5 and regional groups, but a MBA-LBA high subadult mortality indicates elevated frailty levels and inability to survive acute illnesses. Following an optimal weaning program, subadults were at risk for physiological insult and many succumbed. Only a small number of individuals attained biological maturity during the MBA, suggesting that a fast life history was an adaptive regional response to a less hospitable and perhaps unstable environment.

Exploring dietary practices in non‐adults of the Late Bronze Age Southern Urals: A perspective from dental attributes

“…However, he does not discuss dental pathology profiles that would be characteristic for pastoralists. Several published results suggest that the Bronze Age and the Early Iron Age pastoralists from the Eurasian steppes rarely suffered from caries but had very high rates of dental calculus, with highly varying levels of LEH 2 (Judd et al, 2018; Murphy & Khokhlov, 2016; Razhev, 2009; Svyatko, 2014, tab. 18; Ventresca Miller et al, 2014a).…”

“…The limited evidence suggests that the pattern of pathological dental conditions is similar in adults and non‐adults of the MBA‐LBA communities, especially considering their age dynamics (Judd et al, 2018, p. 11; Murphy & Khokhlov, 2016, pp. 170–173; Ventresca Miller et al, 2014a, tabs.…”

“…That the diet of the MBA‐LBA steppe communities consisted primarily of livestock products is also supported by the scarce bioarchaeological studies. In particular, analyses of dental pathology patterns in several MBA and LBA sites from the Samara valley, the Trans‐Urals, and Northern Kazakhstan indicate a relatively good state of dental health and have led to consensus on dietary specialization on products high in proteins and low in carbohydrates (Judd et al, 2018; Lindstrom, 2002; Murphy & Khokhlov, 2016; Pererva & Kapinus, 2019; Ventresca Miller et al, 2014a).…”

Bronze age cemetery of Kamenny ambar-5 in the Southern Trans-Urals (typology, chronology, genetics)

“…Это создало новые возможности для мультидисциплинарного исследования, которые частично реализованы (серийное радиоуглеродное датирование, комплексный анализ антропологических и вещественных находок, стабильных изотопов, палео-ДНК и др.) (Дегтярёва 2010;Hanks et al 2018;Judd et al 2018). Погребения двух культурных традиций обнаружены в разных курганах в пределах одной площадки.…”

The “weanling's dilemma” revisited: Evolving bodies of evidence and the problem of infant paleodietary interpretation

“…Past anthropometric research linked longer periods of breastfeeding alongside complementary foods in nonindustrialized societies with undernutrition and poorer health outcomes, serving to crystallize an inferred causal relationship between “prolonged” breastfeeding and increased risk of child stunting and malnutrition (e.g., Brakohiapa et al, 1988; Briend & Bari, 1989; Victora et al, 1984). Consequently, while some key paleodietary studies have acknowledged the immunological and nutritional benefits of continued breastfeeding beyond early infancy (e.g., Eerkens et al, 2011; Judd et al, 2018; Waters‐Rist et al, 2011; Wright & Schwarcz, 1998), others have continued to associate breastfeeding of older infants and children with detriment to health status (e.g., Holder et al, 2017; Sandberg et al, 2014; White et al, 2006).…”