Research conducted by Varunavi Battula and Sanjana Vookanti
Mentored by Dr. Britney Kyle and Elizabeth Jennings
Introduction
LEH in Relation To Himera
Our goal is to learn about the impact of colonization on the Himeran people and the effect it had on their lifestyles and lifespans.
Introduction to our Study
The ancient Sicilian colony of Himera, inhabited from 648 to 409 B.C, was acknowledged for its trade and later became the site of two epic battles.
The methods of burial at Himera varied in complexity and style. Variety within the burials may indicate a differential social class. Social position may may impact access to resources.
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Individuals with limited resources may be more susceptible to disease and malnutrition, which can cause growth disruptions in enamel, or linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH). Enamel is laid down in layers, or perikymata, during childhood (typically in the first 6 years of life). LEH presents as horizontal lines along the enamel of the teeth when an individual undergoes significant stress.
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The magnitude of the LEH lines correlate to longer periods of stress. Aspects of an individual's social position, such as sex, age, burial location, and burial style might influence exposure to physiological stress.
Hypothesis
This study tests the null hypothesis that individuals will have similar prevalence of LEH, regardless of burial location, burial style, sex, or age-at-death. We hypothesize that social position did not heavily impact the prevalence of LEH experienced by the groups.