Preliminary Investigations of the Bioarchaeology of Medieval Giecz (XI–XII C.): Examples of Trauma and Stress

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 associated 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

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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). Histomorphometric techniques mined to be males and 31% females. were also employed (Agnew et al. 2007; The age distribution within each sex is Streeter 2010). similar in the Younger and Middle Adult Table 1 displays frequencies of indi- categories, with only slightly more males viduals in each age-at-death category for (34%) dying in the Younger Adult age the entire sample (N=275). The majority range than females (28%). This differ- of individuals, 65%, lived to adulthood, ence is also reflected in the frequency of while 35% died before reaching maturi- Older Adults, with females represent- ty. Most individuals died in the Middle ing more of this category (11%) than Adult (31%) and Young Adult (20%) males (3%). This suggests that males years, however the frequency of infant were more likely to die younger, while deaths is also high (17%). The large females were more likely to live longer number of infant deaths is not surpris- in medieval Giecz. This trend becomes ing during the medieval period since the more obvious if the age-at-death catego- immune system is weak and especially ries are divided by sex, rather than the susceptible to insults during this growth sexes being divided by age. Of those that stage (Goodman and Armelagos 1989). died in the Young Adult range, 67% are In fact, infant mortality comprises 50% males and 30% are females. Within the

Table 1. Frequency table for age-at-death categories % of age-matched Age range N % of total N1 N2 Fetal ≤ birth 4 1 4 Infant 0–4 yrs 48 17 50 Child 5–10 yrs 27 10 28 Adolescent 11–16 yrs 17 6 18 Subadult Total 96 35 100 Young Adult 17–34 yrs 54 20 30 Middle Adult 35–49 yrs 84 31 47 Older Adult 50+ yrs 10 4 6 Undetermined Adult 17+ 31 11 17 Adult Total 179 65 100 Total 275 100 – 1”% of total N”=(age category N/total number of individuals in the sample)*100. 2“% of age-matched N”=(age category N/number of individuals in the subadult or adult group only)*100.

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Table 2. Frequency table for adult age-at-death categories by sex Male Female Undetermined N % N % N % All Adults 105 58 56 31 17 11 Young Adult 36 34 16 28 2 12 Middle Adult 55 53 29 52 0 0 Older Adult 3 3 6 11 1 6 Undetermined Adult 11 10 5 9 14 82

Middle Adult range, 65% are males and Trauma 35% are females. However, in the Older Adult range, 30% are males and 60% are While it is known that Giecz functioned females. Since the cemetery excavation as a political and religious center utiliz- remains incomplete, it is unknown if the ing the massive fort constructed there Giecz Collection is truly representative of (Barford 2001), it is unknown how ex- the living population in medieval Giecz. tensive of a military effort was undertak- However, all ages and both sexes are well en at Giecz during the 11th and 12th cen- represented across the sample, suggest- turies, or where war victims were buried. ing that the cemetery site Gz4 contains The specific objective of the investiga- those comprising a normal population tion into trauma is to identify sex and and not one restricted to only certain age-differentiated patterns in traumatic sectors (e.g., military troops, clergymen, injuries in the Giecz Collection. If a mil- etc.). It should be noted that the method itary movement were present, we would chosen for age categorization is similar expect to find a great amount of clearly to that outlined in Buikstra and Ubelaker violent trauma, presumably restricted to (1994), but was modified slightly to en- males (which should substantially out- sure sample sizes were adequate for sta- number all other sectors of the popula- tistically valid comparisons to be made. tion). This approach, while useful for this Only adults were included in this anal- study, does limit the comparability of the ysis of trauma, and the available sample data to other studies. was divided by sex and age. All ante- and Bone preservation is an obstacle to peri-mortem evidence of trauma was re- overcome in any study of skeletal re- corded. Skeletal elements and anatomical mains and can potentially bias results. regions were examined and only included Child bones, especially, are at a signifi- if the majority of the element or the body cant risk of taphonomic changes affect- region was present. Chi-squared analysis ing the presence of elements (see Lewis was employed to compare trauma fre- 2007) as well as the ability to accurately quencies between sex and age categories. take measurements. Although common, Additionally, a simple Correspondence taphonomic changes are not likely to Analysis was performed to determine if have preferentially destroyed the young- relationships existed between individu- est individuals in this cemetery, since als in demographic cohorts (i.e., Young even possible fetal remains have been Male, Young Female, Middle Male, Mid- recovered. dle Female, Older Male, Older Female)

Brought to you by | Ohio State University Libraries Authenticated | 140.254.70.33 Download Date | 7/29/14 4:50 PM 194 Amanda M. Agnew, Hedy M. Justus and the skeletal elements affected by males at 56% (59/105) and 43% (24/56) trauma (Upper Limb, Scapula, Clavicle, respectively (Fig. 1b), although this com- Radius, Ulna, Wrist/Hand, Lower Limb, parison was also not statistically signifi- Femur, Tibia, Fibula, Ankle/Foot, Trunk, cant (χ2=1.35, p>0.05). This sex-specif- Sternum, Ribs, Vertebrae, Thoracic Ver- ic pattern remained consistent when the tebrae, Lumbar Vertebrae, or Cranium). body was divided into regions (Fig. 2a). All frequencies and results are reported Trauma divided by body region shows for individuals. a general increase with age, specifically Results indicate that the overall fre- for the upper limb and trunk (Fig. 2b). quency of trauma in Giecz adults was This trend is not surprising since a longer high at 49%. Only 3.4% of all individuals life generally allows for more chances for with trauma (3/88) had injuries clearly sustaining injuries. intentionally violent in nature. Peri-mor- Figure 2 is most notable for display- tem injuries associated with interperson- ing the frequency of trunk fractures rel- al violence account for only two of those ative to other body regions. The trunk, cases (Justus and Agnew 2009), suggest- when divided by age cohort and sex, ing most individuals did not engage in consistently exhibits more trauma than frequent battles. any other body region. Fractures in the Each age cohort revealed a high in- trunk region affected 82% (72/88) of cidence of trauma, with no statistical- all individuals with trauma, and indi- ly significant difference between them viduals with vertebral fractures account (χ2=0.81, p> 0.05). Trauma sustained for 87.5% (63/72) of those with trunk by Young Adults was 50% (27/54), and trauma. Vertebral trauma in this analy- the Middle and Older Adult cohorts had sis included only compression fractures slightly higher frequencies with 60% of the vertebral body and spondylolysis each (50/84 and 6/10, respectively) as (fractures at the pars interarticularis). shown in Figure 1a. Giecz males have Spondylolysis was only observed in 10 a higher incidence of trauma than fe-

Fig. 2. Frequencies of trauma (%) in Giecz adults Fig. 1. Frequencies of trauma (%) in Giecz adults divided by anatomical region according to: a) according to: a) age categories and b) sex sex and b) age categories

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Fig. 3. Representative examples of common vertebral trauma in Giecz: bilateral unhealed spondylolysis in L4 of a 35–45 year-old female (left) and compression fracture of T12 with severe anterior wedging in a 45–55 year-old female (right). Scales are in cm individuals, so the majority of spinal accounts for only 12% of the variance trauma included here was classified as (total inertia), and of that, two dimen- compression fractures (diagnosed as sions accounted for the majority of the moderate to severe wedging). Overall, proportion of inertia (58% and 33%). males have a higher frequency of ver- Figure 4 displays an example symmet- tebral trauma than females with 44% ric plot showing a lack of defined groups (46/104) and 32% (18/56), respectively. (χ2=17.22, df=20, p> 0.05). This fur- Although this sex-difference is not sta- ther supports the results above, suggest- tistically significant χ( 2=1.33, p> 0.05), ing that a similar risk of fracture existed it is possible that males participated in more physically demanding labor than females. Vertebral trauma is particularly indicative of chronic heavy compressive loads and is common in the thoracolum- bar spine by this mechanism (Myers and Wilson 1997). This suggests the Giecz population was partaking in labor intensive activities. Figure 3 shows examples of vertebral trauma found in the Giecz Collection. Correspondence analysis revealed no significant relationships between demo- Fig. 4. Representative symmetric correspondence graphic cohorts and any combination of analysis plot showing no relationships between skeletal elements (p>0.05). The model any demographic group or body region

Brought to you by | Ohio State University Libraries Authenticated | 140.254.70.33 Download Date | 7/29/14 4:50 PM 196 Amanda M. Agnew, Hedy M. Justus for all age groups and both sexes across Osteochondritis dissecans (OCD) is body regions. characterized by an osteochondritic de- Of those affected by trauma in Giecz fect on an articular surface. The etiolo- (49%), 97% were categorized as having gy of OCD is incompletely understood. non-violent injuries (i.e., stress-related Although it is thought to have a genetic or accidental injuries). For many skele- component (Kenniston et al. 2008), the tal elements, a significantly higher rate etiology currently favored by clinicians is of such injuries (Fisher’s exact test, repetitive traumatic events that cause mi- p<0.05) was found in Giecz adults than crofractures, osteonecrosis, and eventual in a contemporaneous and geographically separation of a loose body (Gangley et al. similar adult population (Poznań-Śród- 2006). Overuse of a joint puts physically ka) (Agnew et al. 2010). This suggests active, skeletally immature individuals at the Giecz population’s lifestyle was rela- high risk of developing OCD (Jones and tively physically demanding, even for this Miller 2001). In skeletal remains, active time period in Poland. OCD is identified by a clearly defined cir- The trauma analysis described above cular lesion in subchondral cortical bone has been limited to adult skeletons, how- with exposure of underlying trabeculae. ever some subadults in the Giecz Collec- Rounded borders or a smoothed depres- tion also exhibit evidence of non-violent sion can indicate healing. The presence trauma. For example, one late adolescent of OCD in some archaeological popula- individual (16–18 years old) exhibits ver- tions is suggested to be related to stress tebral compression fractures in thoracic from occupational trauma and agricul- vertebrae 10–12 with notable wedging of tural activities (Wells 1974). T11. It is unusual for such a young indi- Five skeletons recovered from site vidual to suffer this type of stress fracture Gz4 exhibit osseous defects consistent and it is considered traumatic in nature. with OCD (see Fig. 5 for examples). Sex Further evidence for subadult trauma is could only be determined in one case found with the occurrence of osteochon- (17–22 year old male), since the others dritis dissecans in the Giecz Collection. were too young to exhibit sexually di- morphic traits (all adolescents).

Fig. 5. Examples of osteochondritis dissecans in Giecz with no evidence of healing: bilateral lesions on each capitulum of humerii in a 12–13 year old of unknown sex (left) and a lesion on the medial condyle of the left femur in a 12–14 year old of unknown sex (right). Scales are in cm

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While it is recognized that other fac- almost equally affected, an overall phys- tors, such as genetics, play a role in the ically demanding lifestyle for the entire development of OCD, trauma from over- population is suggested as the cause for use and repetitive, high-stress activity is the elevated rates of trauma, specifically implicated as a causal factor in the Giecz vertebral fractures. It is likely that sub- adolescents described here. Since osteo- adults represented part of the labor-force chondritis dissecans in adolescence can in Giecz and were considered adults in accelerate degenerative processes in adults many activities. (Twyman et al. 1991), future research will incorporate severity of degenerative joint Stress disease (DJD) into detailed hypotheses concerning physical activity levels and Stress can be defined by a physiologic lifestyle of the Giecz population. disruption in normal biological process- It is unlikely that the majority of peo- es (Goodman et al. 1988). The effect ple buried at Giecz were involved in mil- of stress on the body can oftentimes be itary battles, as evidence of intentional observed on the skeleton, indicating the violence in the population is rare (Justus adaptive response to the stressor (Lars- and Agnew 2009). However, stress-relat- en 1997). This type of analysis allows us ed traumatic injuries are common in me- insight into the general health of a pop- dieval populations because of a severely ulation. Subadult remains are likely to laborious lifestyle, often associated with reflect immediate environmental condi- agricultural activities (Judd and Roberts tions and are less likely to have experi- 1999). This is supported by the trauma enced catch-up growth yet (Bogin 1999), analysis of the population from Giecz, so are ideal for stress studies. The spe- suggesting that rigorous activity contrib- cific objective of this investigation into uted to high risk for trauma. These ac- stress is to assess differences in femoral tivities are consistent with the labor in- diaphyseal length between Giecz sub- tensive lifestyle typical of rural medieval adults and a modern standard. The re- populations. sults should increase our knowledge of The tradition of military service like- the level of physiological stress endured ly continued in Giecz through the 13th by the Giecz population and their ability century despite a lack of skeletal trauma to adapt during growth. resulting from intentional violence. It is possible that battles were not fought Long-bone growth frequently by this population, or at least not by those interred at Gz4. However, Longitudinal skeletal growth is a com- to maintain a fortification of the magni- plex interaction between genetics and tude of the Giecz stronghold would have nutritional status as a function of the required extensive labor by troops and environment (Hoppa 1992). Individual the general population, putting them at diaphyseal lengths are commonly used high risk for traumatic injury. We can- to represent a growth profile for past not assume this activity was restricted to populations. The femur is most com- males, given the non-significant differ- monly compared, perhaps because it is ences in trauma between the sexes. Since often present, but also as a component females and individuals of all ages are of an appendage is also more likely to

Brought to you by | Ohio State University Libraries Authenticated | 140.254.70.33 Download Date | 7/29/14 4:50 PM 198 Amanda M. Agnew, Hedy M. Justus reflect environmental stress (Bogin et available for study, which is reflected in al. 2002). It is reported that long-bone the total row. Femur measurements are growth retardation was particularly maximum diaphyseal lengths, and only common in past agricultural populations long bones with unfused proximal and and attributed to an increase in nutri- distal epiphyses were included in the tional deficiency and physiological stress study. For repeatability, all measure- (Cook 1984; Goodman et al. 1984; Lars- ments were taken by A. Agnew. If pres- en 1997). ent, bilateral femur pairs were measured Ninety-six subadult burials from the and the larger of the two measurements Giecz Collection (see Table 1) were avail- was used. Femur lengths of the Giecz able for analysis. Some were eliminated sample were compared to a modern from the study because dental remains sample of European descent, in presum- were not present for age estimation, leav- ably good health, as shown in Figure 6 ing a total sample size of 74 individuals (Maresh 1955; Maresh 1970). between the ages of birth and 14 years. Femoral length in Giecz appears to lag Specific subadult age categories and- in behind that of the modern comparative dividuals present within them are shown sample throughout all phases of skele- in Table 3. Absence or damage of the fetal growth (Fig. 6). It has been suggest- mur could further reduce the sample size ed that the best comparison of growth differences between samples should be Table 3. Frequencies per dental age for subadults in made on those less than five years of age the Giecz Collection because of increased caloric demands at Femur Age category1 this stage (Eveleth and Tanner 1990). N n Since the younger age ranges are better 0 4 1 represented in this sample, this is poten- 1 13 10 tially an even more useful comparison. 2 10 9 The differences between femoral length 3 10 10 in Giecz and the modern sample are less 4 6 4 variable under the age of five years, but 5 2 1 still consistently show that Giecz sub- 6 7 6 adults have shorter lower limbs than the 7 7 6 modern sample. 8 1 1 Differences in genetic growth poten- 9 3 3 tial could contribute to differences in 10 2 1 femoral length, however this is not sug- 11 3 1 gested as the cause in this case because 12 0 – Giecz adults are relatively taller than oth- 13 6 5 er European counterparts from the medi- 14 0 – eval period (Vercellotti et al. 2009; Ver- Total 74 58 cellotti et al. 2011). Additionally, Giecz 1Age categories include 6 months prior and 6 adults are close in stature to a modern months after the year indicated. Category “0” in- American population, suggesting that cludes only those individual less than 6 months. the genetic growth potentials of the two N=total number of individuals present, n=number of individuals with femur present (i.e., number of elements included).

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Fig. 6. Femoral lengths for a modern population of European descent (Maresh 1955, 1970) and Giecz. The modern population values (squares) represent the 50th percentile at each dental age with bars extending to the 10th and 90th percentiles. The Giecz values (diamonds) represent the mean (solid) and individual (hollow) values at each dental age populations compared here are similar1. rather those who died before reaching However, this comparison should be ap- maturity. It is possible that some suf- proached with extreme caution as there fered from chronic conditions that would are many biases present that are outside affect their dental and skeletal develop- the scope of the current discussion. ment and therefore skew results, so re- Shorter femoral lengths for subadults sults should be approached with caution. in the Giecz Collection are probably the However, it is more likely that the sub- result of differences in nutritional and adults are comparable with those who disease stressors influencing long-bone survived until adulthood as is argued growth. The subadult femoral growth by others (e.g., Lovejoy 1990; Sundick rate of Giecz subadults lags behind 1978). An additional limitation is that a comparative population, suggesting all age categories are not equally repre- they were stressed. However, tall adult sented across the sample. Since the ex- stature suggests otherwise. It is possible cavation of site Gz4 is incomplete, it is that during adolescence, for which our unknown if the demographic of the study sample is underrepresented here, catch- sample is representative of the true pop- up growth is occurring. This needs to be ulation. Lower mortality rates in children explored further in future research. and adolescents probably play a role in As is the case in any skeletal assem- the sample, as infants under four years blage, the sample is cross-sectional in are greater in numbers, creating an in- nature. The subadults do not represent trinsic bias in the sample. the healthy children living in Giecz, but Future manuscripts will include comparisons of long-bone lengths to similar 1 A survey of adult stature in the US during this geographic and temporal populations, as same time period (~1960) reports mean adult well as relationships with non-specific statures for males and females of 173 cm and indicators of stress. 160 cm, respectively (Ogden et al. 2004), while those estimated for Giecz are 172 cm and 157 cm, respectively (Vercellotti et al. 2009).

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Conclusions thank the Muzeum Pierwszych Piastów, all past students of the Mortuary Ar- Trauma results suggest a rigorous life- chaeology Field School in Giecz, and the style that likely involved heavy lifting and Global History of Health Project for par- repetitive, strenuous activities for the Gi- tial funding. ecz population. The heavy workload was not restricted to males, but also extended Authors’ contributions to females and adolescents. Growth-data allow us to infer that selection influenced AMA and HMJ excavated much of mortality (i.e., those with stunted growth the skeletal material in the Giecz Collec- did not survive into adulthood) and that tion and both collected data used in this the population at Giecz endured gener- study. AMA analyzed and interpreted the ally stressful environmental conditions data presented here, and primarily wrote (e.g., poor nutrition, infection, etc.). the manuscript. HMJ supported data The Giecz Collection offers a unique analysis and interpretation and edited opportunity to study life and death and the manuscript. the circumstances surrounding each in early Medieval Poland. This geographical Conflict of interest area is generally limited in anthropological publications, so it is our goal to contin- The Authors declare that there is no con- ue research in Giecz and make interesting flict of interests regarding the publica- and meaningful comparisons with other tion of this article. Medieval Polish and European samples. Ongoing and future research includes Corresponding author investigations into other non-specific indicators of stress (linear enamel hy- Amanda M. Agnew, The Ohio State Uni- poplasia’s, porotic hyperostosis, cribra versity, 1645 Neil Ave., 279 Hamilton orbitalis), infectious disease prevalence, Hall, Columbus, OH 43210, USA degenerative joint disease and cases of e-mail address: amanda.agnew@osumc. diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, edu in addition to explorations of social in- equality, population structure, cranial References variation, kinship, and post-marital res- idence patterns. Agnew A, Streeter MA, Stout SD. 2007. Histomorphological aging of subadults: Acknowledgements a test of Streeter’s method on a medieval archaeological population. Am J Phys An- thropol Suppl 44:61. Both authors are involved in archaeolog- Agnew AM, Betsinger TK, Justus HM. 2010. ical and anthropological investigations A comparison of traumatic injury patterns in Giecz through cooperation with the between a rural and an urban population Slavia Project. Special thanks are offered from medieval Poland. Am J Phys An- to Teresa Krysztofiak, Marek Polcyn, Kin- thropol Suppl 50:52. ga Monczak-Zamelska, Elżbieta Indycka Ascádi G, Nemeskéri J. 1970. History of hu- and Magda Miciak for continued support man life span and mortality. Budapest: of this research. We would also like to Akademiai Kiado.

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