The Cost of Lifestyle: Skeletal Markers of Occupational Stress (MOS) in Brazilian Prehistoric Coastal Populations Claudia Rodrigues-Carvalho ENSP/FIOCRUZ.

The Cost of Lifestyle: The Cost of Lifestyle:

Skeletal Markers of Skeletal Markers of Occupational Stress (MOS) in Occupational Stress (MOS) in Brazilian Prehistoric Coastal Brazilian Prehistoric Coastal

PopulationsPopulations

Claudia Rodrigues-CarvalhoClaudia Rodrigues-Carvalho

ENSP/FIOCRUZ

Above: Two shellmounds in Santa Catarina State: Figueirinha I and II. Photo: Gaspar. 2000.

Right: Manitiba shellmound in Saquarema, Rio de Janeiro, during excavation.

Photo: Lina Kneip collection. Museu Nacional/UFRJ

Brazilian shellmounds distribution

Markers of Occupational Stress (MOS)Markers of Occupational Stress (MOS)

“Distinctive morphologies or true pathological alterations that can Distinctive morphologies or true pathological alterations that can develop as a result of work-related activitiesdevelop as a result of work-related activities”

Capasso et al. 1999

MOS can be used to investigate past groups workloads which expressed established labour divisions allowing, in some cases, specific activities reconstructions.

MOS selected in present study:MOS selected in present study:

Signs of articular degeneration (AD), osteoarthrosis indicator

Musculoskeletal Stress Markers (MSM)

Articular degeneration/OsteoarthrosisArticular degeneration/Osteoarthrosis

Progressive articular degeneration evolving cartilage and subchondral bone, marginal exostosis and, finally eburnation in points were occur bone to bone contact.

Musculoskeletal Stress MarkersMusculoskeletal Stress Markers

Physical stress markers associated to muscular activity overload expressed in muscle insertion sites. Include robusticity markers, stress lesions and ossifications (Hawkey & Merbs, 1995 ).

MOS studies in Brazilian coastal samples: general results

Articular degeneration (apendicular skeleton):

Frequencies of affected individuals vary among samples but it’s usually lower

than 40%, with a few cases of intense damage.

Sex prevalence and more affected joints also vary among samples (Neves,

1984; Machado, 1992; Sorto et al., 1999).

Musculoskeletal studies:

Pattern of low occurrences of stress lesions and ossifications,

Moderate to mild robusticity grades prevailing and heavier workload in males

(Mata, 2000; Scherer, 2002; Rodrigues-Carvalho et al. 2002).

Cabeçuda Shellmound (Santa Catarina State): data suggests low expressions

of unilateral activities in whole series and the possibility that rowing among females

wasn’t an usual activity (Teixeira, 2004).

GoalsGoals

Investigate the main workloads manifested in daily tasks in order to establish general patterns of physical demands.

Compare inter-series general patterns considering sex and age distribution.

Compare series general patterns and detail major similarities and singularities.

The skeletal series The skeletal series

In Rio de Janeiro State coast there are 6 areas with archaeological sites concentration (Tenório, 2003) The present study selected 4 skeletal series from 3 areas:

Ilhote do Leste in Ilha Grande, the largest island in area 1.Zé Espinho, in Guaratiba lowland, area 2.Beirada and Moa, between the shore and the lagoon in Saquarema, area 4.

Ilhote do Leste, Ilha Grande (3.060 40 AP a 2.650 350 BP).

Images from Tenório, 1999 and 2004.

Image from Gaspar, 2000

Sambaqui de Zé Espinho, Guaratiba (1.180 +- 170 a 2.260 +- 160 BP)

Map: Kneip, 1987. Photos: Lina Kneip collection. Museu Nacional/UFRJ

Saquarema City shellmounds:

Beirada (4.520 +- 190 a 3.800 +- 190 BP)Moa (3.960 +- 190 AP e 3.610 +- 200 BP)

Beirada

MoaMoa

Photo: Lina Kneip collection. Museu

Nacional/UFRJ

Photos: Maura Imazio

Distribution of analyzed individuals in each shellmound seriesDistribution of analyzed individuals in each shellmound series

SeriesSeries >20 20-29 30-39 40 e + ? Total Total (♀+ ♂)

♀ ♂ ♀ ♂ ♀ ♂ ♀ ♂ ♀ ♂ ♀ ♂

Beirada 0 0 1 3 6 4 0 3 1 0 8 10 18

Moa 1 0 5 4 3 7 3 2 0 2 12 15 27

Zé Espinho 2 0 2 8 1 1 0 1 0 0 5 10 15

Ilhote do Leste

0 0 4 6 2 2 0 1 2 1 8 10 18

Total 3 0 15 21 13 17 3 7 4 3 38 49 78

Investigation proceedingsInvestigation proceedings

•Analysis in apendicular skeleton only, also restricted to adults or late adolescents, from both sex.

•Excluded any individual with multiple fractures or extensive pathological signs.

Articulation Analyzed regions

Shoulder Glenoid cavity (escapula), Humeral head.

Elbow Humeral distal epiphysis, radial and ulnar proximal epiphysis.

Wrist Radial and ulnar distal epiphysis and corresponding articulations from scafoid and lunate

Hip Acetabulum and femur head

Knee Femoral distal epiphysis, proximal tibia epiphysis and patella

Ankle Distal epiphysis from tibia, fibula and talus superior articular facet.

Muscle Localization

Deltoideus Humerus

Pectoralis Major Humerus

Teres Major Humerus

Braquiorradialis Humerus

Extensor Carpi Radialis Longus Humerus

Biceps brachii Radius

Pronator Teres Radius

Triceps Brachii Ulna

Brachialis Ulna

Anconeus Ulna

Supinator Ulna

Pronator Quadratus Ulna

Abductor Pollicis Longus Ulna

Gluteus Maximus Femur

Gluteus Medius Femur

Gluteus Minimus Femur

Piriformis Femur

Quadratus femoris Femur

Vastus Medialis Femur

Biceps femoris Fibula

Soleus Tibia

Quadriceps Tibia (patelar

ligament)

Aquiles Tendon Calcaneus

Articulations considered

Insertion muscle sites considered

Data Registration

Osteoarthrosis: intensity of articular alterations (Machado, 1984)

Grade 0: no signs of articular alterations; Grade 1 (slight): porosities in articular surface and/or articular margins defined with sharper edges, eventual bone exostosis (<1mm);Grade 2 (moderate): clear lipping evidence (≥1mm) and/or bone damage in articular area.Grade 3 (intense): severe lipping (>2mm) and/or severe articular bone damage, eburnation.

MSM: robusticity grade, stress lesions and ossifications (Hawkey & Merbs. 1995; Hawkey. 1998)

Robusticity:

Grade 0 (none): no signs of robusticity; Grade 1 (slight): slight indentation at the site attachment; Grade 2 (moderate): roughening of the attachment site, well-defined

surrounding margin; Grade 3 (intense): deep indentation, clear defined margin of bone.

Image from Hawkey, 1998.

Stress lesions:

Grade 0 (none): no lesions;Grade 1 (slight): A shallow ‘furrow”, a pitting with litic-like appearance;Grade 2 (moderate): pitting deeper and cover more surface area but never more than 5mmGrade 3 (intense): pitting is marked, more than 3mm depth and 5mm in length.

Ossifications:Grade 0 (none): no ossifications;Grade 1 (slight): slight exostosis, less than 2mm from cortical surface;Grade 2 (moderate): distinct exostosis that extends more than 2mm but less than 5mm;Grade 3 (intense): exostosis extends more than 5mm from the surface of bone.

Left image from Hawkey, 1998. Right image from Capasso, 1999, reprinted from Galera & Garralda,1993.

ResultsResults

Overview

Considerable variability among individuals from the same sex and age interval.

The individual variability and the small series prevented a clear verification of relations between MOS and age.

Heavier workload for men.

Inter-group workload variability.

Heavier workload in Ilhote do Leste.

Low occurrence of side dominance.

General data for upper limbs suggests dominance of movements requiring arm adduction and rotation; forearm flexion, pronation and supination.

Arm and shoulder movements prevailed in Ilhote do Leste series, Zé Espinho and Beirada males; Forearm pronation prevailed in Moa series and in Zé Espinho females. In Beirada series forearm flexion were more pronounced;

General data for lower limbs suggests dominance of movements requiring hip extension, rotation, balance and knee flexion.

Results - AD/OsteoarthrosisResults - AD/Osteoarthrosis

Prevalence of slight articular alterations (except for Ilhote do Leste).

Upper limbs more affected.

Mostly affected articular area: wrist.

Early onset for moderate degree:

30-39 years in Beirada and Moa series;

20-29 years in Zé Espinho and Ilhote do Leste.

Results – Articular DegenerationResults – Articular Degeneration

Graph 1. Beirada Shellmound. Distribution of articular degeneration grades in upper and lower limbs.

Graph 2. Moa Shellmound. Distribution of articular degeneration grades in upper and lower limbs.

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Graph 3. Zé Espinho Shellmound. Distribution of articular degeneration grades in upper and lower limbs.

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Graph 4. Ilhote do Leste Shellmound. Distribution of articular degeneration grades in upper and lower limbs.

0%

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Fem. UL Male UL Fem. LL Male LL

Intense

Moderate

Slight

None

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Fem. UL Male UL Fem. LL Male LL

Intense

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None

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Fem. UL Male UL Fem LL Male LL

Intense

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Fem UL Male UL Fem. LL Male LL

Intense

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None

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Shoulder Elbow Wrist Hip Knee Ankle

Moderate F

Moderate M

Intense F

Intense M

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Shoulder Elbow Wrist Hip Knee Ankle

Moderate F

Moderate M

Intense F

Intense M

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Shoulder Elbow Wrist Hip Knee Ankle

Moderate F

Moderate M

Intense F

Intense M

0%

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Shoulder Elbow Wrist Hip Knee Ankle

Moderate F

Moderate M

Intense F

Intense M

Graph 5. Beirada Shellmound. Distribution of moderate and intense AD grades.

Graph 6. Moa Shellmound. Distribution of moderate and intense AD grades.

Graph 7. Zé Espinho Shellmound. Distribution of moderate and intense AD grades.

Graph 8. Ilhote do Leste Shellmound. Distribution of moderate and intense AD grades.

Beirada Moa Zé Espinho Ilhote do Leste

Results – Articular Degeneration - Prevailing Grades Results – Articular Degeneration - Prevailing Grades

No AD

Slight

Moderate

Intense

Results - MSM – RobusticityResults - MSM – Robusticity

More developed areas: Pectoralis Major, Deltoideus, Braquialis, Biceps Brachii. Pronator Quadratus, Gluteus Maximus

Dominance of faint robusticity in females (except Ilhote do Leste series)

Dominance of moderate robusticity in males (and in Ilhote do Leste females)

Lower limbs with higher grades than upper limbs (except for Ilhote do Leste series): Gluteus Maximus effect.

Results - MSM – Stress LesionsResults - MSM – Stress Lesions

In females, only in Ilhote do Leste, 3 cases in Pectoralis Major, 2 in Teres Major.

In males: Moa, 1 case in pectoralis Major and Biceps; Zé Espinho, 1 case in Pectoralis Majos; Ilhote, 4 cases in Pectoralis Major, 1 case in Pronator Teres.

Special case: Gluteus MaximusGluteus Maximus in some individuals presented intense marks deep into bone cortex but with no litic-lesion appearance. This feature was observed in 10 individuals and wasn’t present in Beirada series and Zé Espinho males.

Results - MSM – OssificationsResults - MSM – Ossifications

In females – Beirada: 1 case in Triceps, mild; Ilhote: 1 case in Teres Major.In males – Zé Espinho: 2 cases in Pectoralis Major, 1 case in Biceps Brachii.

Results - MSMResults - MSM

Graph 9. Beirada Shellmound. MSM frequencies for upper and lower limbs.

Graph 10. Moa Shellmound. MSM frequencies for upper and lower limbs.

Graph 11. Zé Espinho Shellmound. MSM frequencies for upper and lower limbs.

Graph 12. Ilhote do Leste Shellmound. MSM frequencies for upper and lower limbs.

0%

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Fem. UL Male UL Fem. LL Male LL

Intense

Moderate

Slight

None

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Fem. UL Male UL Fem. LL Male LL

Intense

Moderate

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Fem. UL Male UL Fem. LL Male LL

Intense

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Fem UL Male UL Fem. LL Male LL

Intense

Moderate

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None

Muscle areas Beirada Moa Zé Espinho Ilhote do Leste

♀ ♂ ♀ ♂ ♀ ♂ ♀ ♂

P. Major 1.57 (2) 1.9 (2) 1.5 (2) 2.0(3) 1.2 2.33 (1) 3.67 (1) 3.43(1)

T. Major 1.14 1.3 1.12 1.57 0.8 1.62 1.86 1.57

Deltoideus 1.71 (1) 1.9 (2) 1.5 1.91 1.6 (2) 1.9 1.86 2.28 (3)

Braquioradialis 0.5 1.3 0.62 1.33 0.8 1.2 1.67 2.0

E. Carpi R. 1.2 1.5 1.0 2.11 (2) 1.2 1.9 1.5 2.33 (2)

Bíceps brachii 1.33 (3) 1.78 (3) 1.27 (3) 2.0(3) 1.6 (2) 2.1 (2) 2.75 (2) 2.12

P. Teres 0.57 1.0 1.0 1.0 0.8 1.0 1.67 1.5

Triceps 1.2 1.33 1.1 1.87 1.5 (3) 1.2 1.25 1.57

Braquialis 1.71 (1) 2.0 (1) 1.1 1.78 1.2 2.0 (3) 2.0 (3) 2.25

Supinator 1.57 (2) 1.7 1.1 1.78 1.2 1.8 1.67 1.87

Anconeus 1.0 1.33 1.1 1.37 1.2 1.5 1.0 1.37

P. Quadratus 1.57 (2) 1.78 (3) 2.2 (1) 2.33 (1) 1.8 (1) 1.89 1.5 1.87

A. Pollicis L. 1.57 (2) 1.4 1.11 1.5 1.0 1.7 1.0 1.12

Medium values scores for upper limb muscle insertions

Áreas de fixação

Sambaqui da Beirada Sambaqui do Moa Zé Espinho Ilhote do Leste

♀ ♂ ♀ ♂ ♀ ♂ ♀ ♂

Piriforme 2.0 (2) 0 1.0 1.75 (3) 1.75 (2) 1.8 (2) 1.0 1.67

G. Minimus 0 0 1.0 2.0 (2) 1.5 (3) 1.5 1.8 (2) 1.5

Q. Femoris 0 0 1.0 1.75 (3) 1.25 1.75 1.0 1.0

G. Medium 0 0 1.17 1.5 1.75 (2) 1.6 1.75 (3) 1.5

G. Maximus 2.67 (1) 2.44 (1) 2.86 (1) 2.87 (1) 2.0 (1) 2.67 (1) 3.28 (1) 3.33 (1)

V. Medialis 1.33 (3) 1.5 (2) 1.29 (3) 1.62 1.25 1.37 1.71 2.29 (2)

Quadriceps 1.0 1.0 1.25 1.14 0.67 1.78 (3) 1.5 1.5

Soleus 1.0 1.17 (3) 0.83 1.0 1.0 1.55 1.4 1.67

Biceps Femoris 0 1.0 1.25 1.33 1.0 1.33 1.5 2.0 (3)

Aquiles Tendon 2.0 (2) 2.0 (2) 1.5 (2) 2.0 (2) 1.75 (2) 1.17 1.0 1.0

Medium values scores for lower limb muscle insertions

Results - MSM - Prevailing Grades Results - MSM - Prevailing Grades

Beirada Moa Zé Espinho Ilhote do Leste

None

Slight

Moderate

Intense

Results - Articular Degeneration X MSM - Prevailing gradesResults - Articular Degeneration X MSM - Prevailing grades

Beirada Moa Zé Espinho Ilhote do Leste

None

Slight

Moderate

Intense

Data commentaries & and conclusionsData commentaries & and conclusions

Although the small series doesn’t allow direct inferences for the whole populations, the observations suggests some hypothesis to be tested in larger samples:

There’s individual variability in MOS. It suggests differences in daily workloads even for individuals in same sex and age categories.

Men were under heavier physical stress than women, but specific activities could be proposed only on larger series studies.

Low occurrence of side dominance suggests that bilateral activities were more frequent or intense than those with side preference. This was also observed in one Santa Catarina State series (Teixeira & Salles, 2005) and deserves detailed studies in other Brazilian shellmound series.

Ilhote do Leste females’ data raises the possibility that women in this series shared some heavier tasks with males.

The intense MOS pattern verified in Ilhote do Leste, in comparison with other series also suggests specials workload demands. This could be related to specialized tasks like axe production and frequent navigation in heavy seas (expected for both sex).

Data commentaries & and conclusions (continuation)Data commentaries & and conclusions (continuation)

The low occurrences for intense AD, stress lesions and ossifications are shared with other Brazilian Shellmound series studied before.

The MOS patterns variation among series, specially the lower MOS intensities observed in Saquarema city series and the intense MOS in Ilhote do Leste, with distinct geographic insertions points out the need to detail in further studies the influence of particular environmental conditions on MOS.

In spite of heavier physical stress observed in Ilhote do Leste series, the MOS pattern suggests that these groups had a vigorous but not intensively stressful lifestyle.

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