Age-Related Changes in Orbits of Ancient Children from Zaghunluq Cemetery in Xinjiang, China.

Abstract

Thirty-eight skull samples of ancient children were analyzed that were excavated from the Zaghunluq cemetery, which dates between 2600 and 1900 cal yr BP. The orbit features of children during age changes and growth spurt periods were explored by comparing the orbital height, orbital breadth, orbital area, orbital index, and other measurements among different age groups: 2 years, 3-5 years, 6-8 years, 9-11 years, and 12-15 years. The analysis showed significant differences in orbital breadth across the five age groups, while differences in orbital height, orbital area, and orbital index were not significant. The growth spurt period of orbital breadth I was during 3-5 years of age, and the growth spurt period of orbital breadth II occurred during 6-8 years. Notably, the orbital height of a 2-year-old child has reached 92.7% of adult size. This may elucidate changes in the orbits of children due to age in ancient Xinjiang, China.