Burials at a gravesite in Shirak Valley (Armenia): A biological and social approach

Abstract

A comparative paleopathological study was conducted in order to discern the general health and way of life of these populations. All the skeletal remains are dated to late antiquity (213 individuals in total, from 6 osteoarchaeological series in the Shirak valley). The study of bone lesions indicated cases of injury and alveolodental disease. The traces of injuries which were noted appear significantly more frequently in males. As for skeletal markers of activity, macrotraumas indicate injuries sustained in battle in some cases (skull lesions). During the course of the research, traces of blows and scraping as well as cutting were identified on the bones. The study of skulls from the Shirak valley demonstrated that some of them have been artificially deformed (fronto-occipital as well as round deformations). Cases of dental calculus, caries, periodontal disease, ulcers, and tooth hypoplasia in these skulls were studied.

Keywords

• Shirak
• skeletal remains
• skulls
• general health
• deformations