The Biological Implications of the Transition to Agriculture in Ukraine: A Study of Enamel Hypoplasias

Abstract

The Tripolye were the first archaeo-logical culture in Ukraine to cultivate domesticat-ed cereals, practice animal husbandry, and establish large settlements with high population densities. This cultural adaptation was much different than that of mobile hunter-fisher-gatherers of the Ukrainian Mesolithic/Neolithic, and likely resulted in different outcomes for human health. This study compares the rates of enamel hypoplasias in a Tripolye skeletal population with that of Mesolithic/Neolithic hunter-fisher-gatherers. A recently excavated sample of dentitions representing a minimum of 35 individuals from Verteba Cave was examined macroscopically for hypoplasias and was compared statistically to published rates for hunter-fisher-gatherers. The Tripolye from Verteba Cave were found to have at least one enamel hypoplasia on 18.18% of teeth, while the hunter-fisher-gatherers have hypoplastic lesions on 1.88% of teeth. When examined at the individual level, 48.57% of the Tripolye were found to have at least one hypoplasia, as compared to 12.77% of the hunter-fisher-gatherer individuals. The results indicate that the agropastoral Tripolye experienced significantly more systemic stress than the hunter-fisher-gatherers. The higher stress likely relates to dietary and behavioral variables associated with the Tripolye’s agropastoral economy, including heavy reliance on cereals as weaning foods and sanitary problems linked to sedentism.

New AMS Dates for Verteba Cave and Stable Isotope Evidence of Human Diet in The Holocene Forest-Steppe, Ukraine

“…Features, such as hearths, pits, and articulated human or animal bone groups, were excavated separately. Human remains were identified as secondary burials intermixed with faunal remains, stone and bone tools, and ceramics (Karsten 2014; Karsten et al 2015b; Madden et al 2018).…”

“…The upper strata of this site have been previously dated by Nikitin et al (2010). Excavations since 2008 have brought this site down an additional two meters (Karsten 2014:107). Specimens chosen for this analysis are from the deepest levels of excavation (Lvs.…”

“…Interpretations of use of the cave during this period vary. The site was originally described as a refuge or temporary shelter, although the idea that the cave serves some ritual, or mortuary function are increasingly used (Nikitin et al 2010; Karsten et al 2014; Kadrow and Pokutta 2016; Madden et al 2018). High frequency of blunt force trauma observed on the excavated crania (n=25) also indicates that at least 44% of the interred individuals were victims of interpersonal violence (Karsten et al 2015b; Madden et al 2018).…”

Analysis of ancient human mitochondrial DNA from Verteba Cave, Ukraine: insights into the Late Neolithic-Chalcolithic Cucuteni–Tripolye culture

“…The cave contains the largest accumulation of human remains associated with the Tripolye culture found to date. Very few Tripolye culture human remains exist, making the cave one of the most important sites for the investigation of the diet, health, pathology, and population history of Trypillian peoples (Karsten et al, 2014(Karsten et al, , 2015.…”

Analysis of ancient human mitochondrial DNA from Verteba Cave, Ukraine: insights into the origins and expansions of the Late Neolithic-Chalcolithic Cututeni-Tripolye Culture

“…Regardless, the cave contains the largest accumulation of human remains associated with the Tripolye culture. In fact, very few Tripolye culture human remains exist, making the cave one of the most important sites to investigate diet, health, pathology, and population history of Trypillian peoples [18, 19].…”