Skeletal and Dental Health of Early Tongans: The Bioarchaeology of the Human Skeletons from the To-At-36 Site, Ha‘ateiho, Tongatapu, Tonga

Abstract

Using a variety of skeletal and dental indicators (e.g., stature, linear enamel hypoplasia, cribra orbitalia, infection, trauma, dental pathologies) recorded in 33 adult and 11 subadult skeletons from the To-At-36 site at Ha‘ateiho, Tongatapu, this study examines the health, diet, and lifestyle of precontact Tongans during the Tongan Chiefdom Period (ca. 750–150 BP). Limited comparisons with skeletons from the ‘Atele mound sites (To-At-1 and To-At-2) on Tongatapu and other Pacific Island series are also made. Very few differences in the indicators of health were observed between the adult male and female skeletons from the To-At-36 site and between To-At-36 and the ‘Atele skeletons. Regional comparisons indicate that precontact Tongans and Polynesians were relatively tall and less subject to physiological stress than other Pacific Islanders. Bone infection, most likely attributable to yaws, was more prevalent in early Tongans. Although not significant, the frequency of bone fractures, including spondylolysis, is higher in the Tongan skeletons compared to other precontact Pacific Islanders. Advanced degenerative joint disease in precontact Tongans is comparable to other Pacific Island series. The oral-dental health of early Tongans was generally good. Overall, the frequencies of skeletal and dental indicators of health observed in the precontact Tongan skeletons fall in the medium range and are most similar to those reported for skeletons from the Hane dune site in the Marquesas and the Mariana Islands. Although evidence for physiological stress and bone infection is documented in the subadult skeletons from To-At-36, the prevalence of bone infection is generally higher in other subadult series examined.