Preliminary Investigations of the Bioarchaeology of Medieval Giecz (XI–XII C.): Examples of Trauma and Stress
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Bioarcheology of Giecz Amanda M. Agnew, Hedy M. Justus ANTHROPOLOGICAL REVIEW • Vol. 77 (2), 189–203 (2014) ANTHROPOLOGICAL REVIEW Available online at: www.degruyter.com Journal homepage: www.ptantropologiczne.pl Preliminary investigations of the bioarchaeology of Medieval Giecz (XI–XII c.): examples of trauma and stress Amanda M. Agnew1,2, Hedy M. Justus2 1Skeletal Biology Research Lab, Division of Anatomy, The Ohio State University College of Medicine 2Department of Anthropology, The Ohio State University ABSTRACT: Human skeletal remains from past populations are an invaluable source to objectively study biological history. The combined biological and cultural assessment of bioarchaeology offers a unique perspective on the adaptation of people to their environment. This study summarizes a portion of ongoing work to decipher trends related to health and lifestyle in early medieval (XI-XII c.) Giecz, Poland. The skeletal assemblage from Giecz, the “Giecz Collection”, represents a community positioned at a major center of political, economic, and religious power during this important time in Polish history. Non-violent traumatic injuries were investigated to elucidate trends related to possible types and rigor of activities and linear femoral growth trends were analyzed to assess patterns of stress. Preliminary results suggest that all members of the community (men, women, and adolescents) contributed to a lifestyle characterized by repetitive hard-work. Furthermore, it appears that most individuals suffered from health insults negatively affecting their development and perhaps their mortality. KEY WORDS: Eastern Europe, fracture, growth, lifestyle, Poland Introduction As such, bioarchaeology contributes to the contextualized understanding of so- Bioarchaeology involves the study of hu- cial identities as a discipline that bridges man remains from an archaeological con- biological and social sciences. Analyzing text and utilizes a multidisciplinary ap- skeletal material from an archaeological proach, integrating biological data with context not only aids in the understand- relevant cultural data to better under- ing of past and present populations, but stand people of the past (Roberts 2012). promotes substantial theoretical contri- Original Article: Received January 31, 2014; Accepted for publication May 27, 2014 DOI: 10.2478/anre-2014-0015 © 2014 Polish Anthropological Society Brought to you by | Ohio State University Libraries Authenticated | 140.254.70.33 Download Date | 7/29/14 4:50 PM 190 Amanda M. Agnew, Hedy M. Justus butions to otherwise broadly conceived and build military strength to conquer social sciences (Knudson and Stan- regions of Wielkopolska (Manteuffel janowski 2008). 1982). Under Mieszko’s guidance, an Through bioarchaeology, evaluations independent Polish state was created of injuries observed on archaeological in which a feudal economic system was human remains bring to light the gen- adopted, resulting in a hierarchy of social eral lifestyle conditions of past societies. classes and centralized power (Barford Different lifestyles will affect the preva- 2005; Górecki 1992). Giecz was fortified lence of skeletal injuries by element type as a military center by Piast rulers as ear- as well as regional patterns. Not only can ly as the 10th century (Barford 2001). the immediate injuries result in skeletal However, there were at least two phas- defects, but the perpetuated manifesta- es of stronghold construction at Giecz; tions such as arthritis or infection, are a smaller one dating to the 9th century observable for those who lived with the (pre-state hood) and a larger expansion injury thereafter (Larsen 1997). dating to the late 10th century (Krąpiec Evaluations of stress are common in and Krysztofiak 2003; Krysztofiak 2007). bioarchaeology, particularly in how these The stronghold at Giecz played an im- stresses affect growth and stature, an in- portant role in formation of the Polish dicator of population health and social state and by the 11th century it served status. Temporal trends indicate that an not only a military purpose, but also as increase in economic improvement and a center for political administration and greater nutrition result in an increase in exchange, in addition to a residential stature, and vice versa (Larsen 1997). area (Barford 2001). Since it was locat- Growth retardation is generally associat- ed along a main trade route, it was fre- ed with physiological stressors, such as quented by representatives of the Piast poor nutrition and disease, as well as ge- dynasty, including an associated strong netic influences and growth hormone de- military presence and those of elite sta- ficiencies (as discussed in Larsen 1997; tus (i.e., clergymen, bishops, etc.) (Buko Lewis 2007; Steckel and Rose 2002). 2005). The aim of this work is to summa- According to the works of Gallus rize preliminary analyses on trauma and Anonymous (12th c.), Gesta Principum stress in the medieval population from Polonorum (translated by Knoll and Giecz, Poland to identify the lifestyle and Schaer 2003), Giecz held great rank for general health during this time. providing some of the largest numbers of armed warriors to the Piast rulers (Buko Materials and Methods 2008). It is reported that 300 knights and as many as 2000 foot soldiers from Giecz were mustered in the days of Bolesław Site history the Glorious (Knoll and Schaer 2003). Duke Mieszko III claimed he had spe- The medieval time period marks an im- cialized laborers (decimi) in Giecz in portant turning point in the history of the middle of the 12th century, although Poland. Mieszko I, of the Piast dynasty, they later were released from his control adopted Christianity in A.D. 966, using (Górecki 1992). However, it is thought it as a strategy to unite Polania tribes that most of the common residents en- Brought to you by | Ohio State University Libraries Authenticated | 140.254.70.33 Download Date | 7/29/14 4:50 PM Bioarcheology of Giecz 191 gaged in farming and trade activities (Ko- uscript and is generally well-preserved. strzewski 1964). Taphonomic changes can mostly be at- Giecz is revered as one of Poland’s tributed to modern agricultural activi- most important towns between the 11th ty. Surface finds indicate that the more and 12th centuries (Hensel 1987; Kozak shallow graves were likely destroyed 1997). However, in A.D 1038, during the and scattered. Skeletal elements with revolt of the pagans, the Czech prince no provenience are not included in this Brzetysław I captured Giecz (Davies study. However, many skeletons from 1982) and exiled the surrendered in- deeper graves remain undisturbed with habitants to Czech lands, according to only minimal intrusion from plows. Only Cosmas of Prague (12th c.) Chronica those burials that were largely intact and Boemorum (translated by Wolverton identified as belonging to a defined grave 2009). After the invasion, Giecz was are included here. once again resettled and the new inhabit- Sex and age estimation was based on ants took advantage of the previously de- standard anthropological protocols (see stroyed settlement site for interring their Buikstra and Ubelaker 1994; Steckel et dead, at least through the 12th century al. 2006). Methods were chosen based (Krysztofiak 2007; Krysztofiak 2008). on tested accuracy and availability of The early medieval cemetery at Gi- skeletal elements. Differences in pelvic ecz (site Gz4) dates from the 11th–12th morphology was the preferred method centuries A.D. and is located in the for adult sex determination, but crani- Wielkopolska (Greater Poland) region in al traits were also used (see Ascádi and Western Central Poland. Although the Nemeskéri 1970; Buikstra and Ubelaker first excavations at Giecz were part of the 1994; Loth and Henneberg 1996; Suther- Millennium project in 1949, occurring land and Suchey 1991). Metric methods intermittently until 1966, intensive ex- for sex determination included measure- cavation of the site did not begin until ments of the femoral, humeral (Stew- 1999 and continued through 2008. The art 1979) and radial (Berrizbeitia 1989) authors (AMA and HMJ) were responsi- heads. To estimate adult age-at-death, ble for excavation of most of the graves methods based on pubic symphysis to-date, although it is estimated that (Brooks and Suchey 1990; Todd 1921a; a large portion of the cemetery remains Todd 1921b) and auricular surface degen- interred. Curation and data collection eration (Lovejoy et al. 1985; Osborne et of the human skeletal remains began in al. 2004) were employed. Age estimation 2003 and continues to be directed by methods utilizing degenerative changes AMA and HMJ (Justus 2005; Justus and at the costochondral junction (İşcan et Agnew 2005). The skeletons excavated al. 1984; İşcan et al. 1985) were used to from site Gz4 are referred to hereafter as supplement those based on pelvic chang- the Giecz Collection. es. Age categories were created for adult comparisons representing Young (17–34 Sample years), Middle (34–49), and Older (50+ years) adults. The Giecz Collection includes at least Subadult sex cannot accurately be 275 burials, many of which are included determined from gross morphologi- in further analyses throughout this man- cal or metric traits (Scheuer and Black Brought to you by | Ohio State University Libraries Authenticated | 140.254.70.33 Download Date | 7/29/14 4:50 PM 192 Amanda M. Agnew, Hedy M. Justus 2000) and was, therefore, not attempt- of subadult deaths in Giecz. Similarly, ed for the Giecz Collection. Estimation 47% of all adult deaths are in the Middle of subadult age-at-death was primari- Adult range. Other medieval populations ly based on gross observation of dental from Central/Eastern Europe report very eruption (Ubelaker 1989) and root and low life expectancies (e.g., Hrnčířová crown formation (Moorrees et al. 1963; and Jarošová 2007; Obertová and Thurzo Smith 1991). Additionally, diaphyseal 2008). lengths and epiphyseal union were also Table 2 provides age-at-death fre- considered (Fazekas and Kósa 1978; quencies within each sex. Of the adults Scheuer et al. 1980; Scheuer and Black in the Giecz Collection, 58% are deter- 2000).