Patterns of skeletal histologic change through time: Comparison of an archaic native american population with modern populations

Abstract

This paper compares patterns of histologic change in an archaic Native American population with those in modern white populations. Histologic sections were removed from core biopsies taken from the anterior femoral cortex of an archeologic sample of Pecos Indians. The data demonstrate many microstructural similarities between the Pecos and modern populations, even though they were genetically and culturally distinct. Pecos women had small Haversian canals and large osteon mean wall thickness, with no clear evidence of an intracortical bone volume deficit even in the older age groups, although significant marrow cavity expansion occurred in both males and females with age. No striking relationships were found between bone tissue changes and gross geometric changes with age. The data suggest that a more active life-style is associated with greater osteon mean wall thickness or osteon population density, but that it alone does not protect against significant bone loss on the cortical-endosteal surface.