Physiological stress in a Hellenistic-early Roman community in Sicily

Abstract

This paper explores physiological stress patterns in the Hellenistic/early Roman settlement of Menainon, Sicily. A skeletal assemblage dating from the 4th to the 1st c. BCE was examined for cribra orbitalia, porotic hyperostosis, periostitis, and enamel hypoplasia, while the biological index of frailty (BIF), which measures morbidity, was estimated using these biomarkers in conjunction with trauma, mechanical stress, stature and body mass data. The results showed a higher frequency of cribra orbitalia, porotic hyperostosis, and enamel hypoplasia in male individuals, likely supporting greater stress in males earlier in life. In contrast, females were affected mostly by periostitis but the lesions were generally remodeled. BIF values were overall higher in males in all age groups but showed a steady decline throughout adulthood, whereas female morbidity peaked in middle adulthood. Taken together, these patterns suggest a differential exposure of males and females to physiological stress at different points in their lifetime, though this pattern rarely reached statistical significance and it did not affect the mortality patterns in either sex. When compared to other assemblages, cribra orbitalia and periostitis were particularly common in Menainon, porotic hyperostosis showed an average frequency, while enamel hypoplasia was rare. The interpretation of these patterns is complicated by the diverse social and cultural background of the comparative assemblages. Further research, focused on diet, mobility, mechanical stress and other aspects of the life of the Menainon population, could offer a better understanding of the above results. However, the current study highlights the context-specific nature of physiological stress and the necessity to not rely exclusively on textual evidence regarding past gender roles and associated living conditions.