Occupational stress markers, daily activities, environment and cultural choices: a discussion about different lifestyles in three coastal sambaquis in Rio de Janeiro

Abstract:

For decades the definition of a physical-anthropological unit, based primarily on descriptive and comparative studies of cranial and post-cranial morphology, oriented biological knowledge of sambaqui-dwelling groups in the south-southeastern coastal region of Brazil. This concept also influenced the paradigms that guided the understanding of socio-cultural aspects of these groups, taking as a guideline the perspectives of the North American School. This general perspective, however, has not been very effective in furthering knowledge about sambaqui-dwellers at a more detailed level, failing to identify characteristics that naturally permeate any socio-cultural system and are the result of choices, not just of adaptive responses. In an attempt to create progress in this perspective, this paper aims to combine previously published data on occupational stress markers (osteoarthrosis, accidental fractures, spondylolysis, Schmorl´s nodes and auditory exostoses) for three sambaquis located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, in order to identify possible particularities of the lifestyles of these groups.

Keywords:
Bioarchaeology; Paleoepidemiology; Occupational stress markers; Shell middens; Biocultural approach;