A Study of Non-specific Stress Indicators and Skeletal Growth in Two Mediaeval Subadult Populations

Abstract

Pathological and cross-sectional growth data were collected and analysed on subadult skeletons from the early (Raunds) and late (Chichester) Mediaeval Periods. Following age estimations and measurements of all long bone diaphyseal lengths, non-specific stress indicators were recorded according to various criteria (degrees of severity, distribution and healing) and were as follows: dental enamel hypoplasia, porosity on the ectocranial surface of the skull (orbital and vault lesions), subperiosteal new bone formation on long bones and the ectocranial surface of the skull, and Harris lines. It was postulated that their frequencies may indicate a different general health status between the two populations. Growth curves of the two mediaeval populations were also constructed correlating all skeletal measurements with dental calcification ages. Simultaneously, each subadult was differentiated into very stressed individuals (at least more than one stress indicator present) and less or unstressed individuals (only one stress indicator or none evident) in order to detect any influence of stress on growth. The resulting growth rates of long bone lengths were not systematically different between the two groups of individuals and it appeared that these subadults were reasonably well adapted to stress. However, the interpretation of the results remains difficult, as growth is so variable and the aetiology of stress indicators so hypothetical.