The Human First Metatarsal in Bioarchaeological Research: New Insights Into Human Variation and Bone Health Research from Kellis 2, Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt (50-450CE)
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Western University Scholarship@Western Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository 10-20-2017 10:30 AM The Human First Metatarsal in Bioarchaeological Research: New Insights into Human Variation and Bone Health Research from Kellis 2, Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt (50-450CE) Mathew A. Teeter The University of Western Ontario Supervisor Dr. J.E. Molto The University of Western Ontario Graduate Program in Anthropology A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree in Doctor of Philosophy © Mathew A. Teeter 2017 Follow this and additional works at: https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd Part of the Biological and Physical Anthropology Commons Recommended Citation Teeter, Mathew A., "The Human First Metatarsal in Bioarchaeological Research: New Insights into Human Variation and Bone Health Research from Kellis 2, Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt (50-450CE)" (2017). Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository. 5048. https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/etd/5048 This Dissertation/Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by Scholarship@Western. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Thesis and Dissertation Repository by an authorized administrator of Scholarship@Western. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Abstract Objectives: This research tests the efficacy of using the human first metatarsal (MT1) in bioarchaeological research, specifically to investigate human variation (nonmetric traits and sexual dimorphism) and skeletal health (Osteo-Volumetric Density and µCT analysis) in antiquity. To date, this bone has had limited applications in bioarchaeology. Materials and Methods: This study used human remains from the Kellis 2 (K2) cemetery, located in the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt (50-450CE). Specifically, 377 MT1s, representing 212 individuals were used to investigate human variation and osteo- volumetric density (OVD) in the K2 skeletal population. Additionally, skeletal health was further assessed in a female sub-sample (n=44) of the population using µCT analysis. µCT imaging of the MT1s was conducted using eXplore speCZT scanner, and analyses were done in MicroView with the Advanced Bone Analysis Application software add-in (Version 2.1.2, GE Healthcare Biosciences, London, ON) Results: The intermetatarsal facet had a prevalence of 28% in the K2 skeletal population. Moreover, significant sexual dimorphism was observed for MT1 metrics, and logistic regression models could predict the sex of an individual from K2 between ~80-90% of the time. The novel OVD method was found reliable/reproducible through intra-/inter- observer statistical analyses. The OVD patterns differed significantly between males and females, as well as between age-cohorts. The inverse relationship between age and the estimated OVD in K2 females was much more pronounced than was seen in K2 males. Additionally, an inverse relationship between biological age and the standard measures associated with bone strength/architecture using µCT analyses was observed for the female sub-population. The T-scores of individuals previously diagnosed with i osteoporosis (based on age and fractures) were significantly below the mean of the “healthy” population using both OVD and µCT analyses of the MT1. Conclusions: The first metatarsal is a suitable element for the study of human variation and skeletal health in antiquity. Although not an area normally associated with osteoporosis-related fractures, this research shows that the MT1 is not spared from age- related bone loss, and may prove useful for investigating skeletal health when the more traditionally-used elements are not available. Keywords First Metatarsal, Dakhleh Oasis Egypt, Kellis, Bioarchaeology, Human Skeletal Variation, Human Skeletal Health, Nonmetric Trait, Intermetatarsal Facet, Sexing, Osteo- Volumetric Density, Age-Related Bone Loss, Primary Osteoporosis, Hip Fractures, Micro-Computed Tomography, µCT, Bone Mineral Density, Cortical Index, Trabecular Architecture. ii Acknowledgments I wish to thank the Egyptian Ministry of State for Antiquities for their continued support and to the members of the Dakhleh Oasis Project and their field support staff. Particular thanks to Dr. Peter Sheldrick, the director of the Bioarchaeology Program. Thanks to Dr. Ian Colquhoun for his constructive comments on earlier versions of this dissertation. Also, thanks to Jim Keron (UWO) for creating the K2 maps, and Edward Eastaugh for his photography. I would also like to thank my cohort, the administration staff (Christine Wall and Laura Cousins), and the many great friends that I have met in the Department of Anthropology at the University of Western Ontario. Your support over the many years has made this a wonderful experience. I would like to specifically thank Isabella Graham for her many hours measuring and recording metatarsals for my project. Your humour and attitude always brightened my day. I would also like to thank Dr. David Holdsworth at Robarts for allowing me to use the equipment. I would especially like to thank Dr. Joseph Umoh for guiding me in µCT analysis and for his endless patience. I would also like to thank Paul Szpak, Flannery Surette, Amy Scott, Jenn Morgan, Karyn Olsen, Ramsay Macfie, Tom Porawski, Zoe Morris, John Moody, Leanne Bekeris and many others who made my time in graduate school amazing. I would like to give special thanks to Dr. Alexis Dolphin for her past and continued support and motivation. I could not have completed graduate school without her kindness and guidance. I would also like to thank Dr. JE Molto (El to those who know him) for being the truest definition of the words mentor and friend. You have iii always supported me and have fought hard for my best interests, as well as for those who follow me. You are an unbelievable scientist and person, and I hope I can live up to your expectations. I would also like to thank my family – Scott Teeter, Ryan Teeter, Kelly Teeter, Jason Teeter, Emilie Teeter, Paige Teeter, Owen Teeter, Joan Moyer, Barb Kohl, and Dave Lima – for all your love and support over these many years. I would also like to thank my dad, Robert Teeter, for the years of guidance, support, and especially the laughs from your views on politics. Finally, a special acknowledgement to my mother, Lorraine Teeter. You have always done everything in your power to help me, even when it was at a cost to yourself, and I truly appreciate it. I could not have continued with this pursuit without your love, support, generosity, and humour. This research was funded by a Social Science and Humanities Research Council Grant (#50-1603-0500) awarded to Dr. J.E. Molto, and to a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Doctoral Fellowship (#752-2014-2161) awarded to Mr. Mathew Teeter. We would also like to thank the additional funding awarded to the primary author: Ontario Graduate Scholarship, Western Graduate Research Scholarship, Western Graduate Thesis Research Award, and the Social Science Graduate Alumni Award. iv Table of Contents Abstract ................................................................................................................................ i Acknowledgments.............................................................................................................. iii Table of Contents ................................................................................................................ v List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... ix List of Figures .................................................................................................................... xi List of Appendices ........................................................................................................... xiii Chapter 1 ............................................................................................................................. 1 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Statement of the Problem ...................................................................................... 1 1.2 The Genesis of the Hypothesis ............................................................................... 3 1.3 Previous Research on the MT1: the foundation of the H0 ...................................... 5 1.4 Thesis Outline ....................................................................................................... 11 Chapter 2 ........................................................................................................................... 13 2 LITERATURE REVIEW: Structure and Function of the Human First Metatarsal and Diagnosing Skeletal Health in Antiquity .............................................................. 13 2.1 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 13 2.2 Anatomy of the foot: General Comments ............................................................. 13 2.2.1 The Anatomy and blood supply of the MT1 ............................................. 14 2.2.2 Growth and development of the first metatarsal ....................................... 20 2.2.3 First metatarsal biomechanics ................................................................... 25 2.2.4 Neurovascular influence of the structure of the MT1 ............................... 28 2.2.5 Morphological Variation ..........................................................................