HEALTH IN THE LATE HORIZON: SHEPHERDS AND FARMERS OF PUEBLO VIEJO-PUCARA AND HUAMANMARCA (PERU)

Abstract

Biological markers considered as nonspecific indicators of “stress” were used to evaluate the health and nutritional status of two Andean settlements of the Late Horizon (1430-1532 AD.) from the coast and highland of Lima, Pueblo ViejoPucara and Huamanmarca respectively. A total of nine dental and health indicators were measured: enamel hypoplasia (LEH), carious lesions, tooth wear, dental calculus, criba orbitalia, porotic and trauma. The results indicate that in both the likelihood of a disease linked to one of the biological markers like periostitis, anaemia or infectious diseases, was low, enjoying many of the inhabitants a good health status. However, the difference in the percentage of cases affected in both varied markedly between one sector and another, showing a direct between the frequency of an indicator of nonspecific stress and (a) the social status, (b) the sector of origin, and (c) the of an occupational activity of its inhabitants.

Keywords

• indicadores de estrés no-especifico
• estatus de salud
• estrés nutricional
• Horizonte Tardío
• Incas.