Anthropological Investigations Research Articles

Cranial surgical approaches in the 21st Century Identified Skeletal Collection

In Forensic Anthropology, identification is comparing information from a person whose fate and whereabouts are unknown with data from a person who is present but whose identity is unknown. The rarer and more distinctive the characteristics observed during the anthropological investigation, the greater the probability of reaching an identification. Taking this into account, cranial surgeries can be considered good individualization factors. The cases of skulls with lesions compatible with surgical procedures from the 21st Century Identified Skeletal Collection are presented, and their identification potential is discussed. This collection comprises 302 adult individuals, of which four females (aged 55 to 94 years) and four males (aged 67 to 92 years) present cranial lesions of surgical origin. The results of the macroscopic and imaging analyses (conventional x-rays and CTs) are presented, along with a detailed description and location of each lesion. In five cases there is clear evidence of bone remodelling. This research, which combines anthropological analysis with imaging and neurosurgical insights, demonstrates the importance of correctly interpreting these lesions, illustrating how important is a complete and interdisciplinary analysis for forensic expertise.

Severe gout and its treatment in an early 18th century Southern German monk: palaeopathology and archaeology

Following the restoration of the crypt of the Attel monastery in Southern Germany, the human remains of 16 out of 40 monks were exhumed and underwent anthropological and palaeopathological investigations. These skeletal remains were of individuals who lived between 1700 and 1750 CE. In some cases, thanks to the documentary sources, it was possible to identify individual monks and partially reconstruct their biographies and lifestyles. This situation in particular, applied to Gregorius Lechner (1672-1732 CE), Oeconomus major of the monastery. He was affected by severe gout, as shown radiographically (X-ray and CT-scan). Our findings were corroborated by the archival documents, which indicate that at the time of his death Gregorius Lechner was affected by gout and dropsy. Acute renal failure was the ultimate cause of his demise. Very interestingly close to his right arm, a typical «fontanela» plate, used to treat gout in the 18th century, was also found. The presence of this instrument found in close contact with the remains of a gouty Gregorius Lechner confirms its use in 18th century medical practice in Southern Germany.

Care as survival and resistance for precarious lives

AbstractWidespread economic and social precarity has made care essential to sustain life while simultaneously unremarkable due to its ubiquity. Failure to attend to care inadvertently accepts associated inequalities and ignores the potential for resistance. I explore in this paper the potential for anthropological investigations of care to overturn assumptions of care as ordinary amid precarity. Drawing on transdisciplinary anthropological, feminist, and disability studies scholarship on care and my own ethnographic work with people with disabilities and their family caregivers in Appalachian Kentucky, I argue care is best characterized as an expansive conceptual frame to understand and contest conditions of protracted precarity. Moving beyond assumptions of care and caregiving as ordinary, I theorize care as a relational, moral, and practical act; situate care within the context of neoliberalism, inequality, and repression; and recognize the persistence of resistance enacted through care practices to center efforts for justice. Care as a focus of feminist scholarship and practice must move beyond oppression. Care is an everyday means for interdependent resistance amid the conditions of precarity, offering vital recognition of personhood and worth for precarious lives. Caring labor sustains life when industrial capitalism cannot. Care persists as a way to survive and thrive amid injustice.

Historical evolution of sex and age estimation techniques through the skull

The estimation of sex and age through cranial measurements is a fundamental practice in various fields such as physical anthropology, archaeology, and forensic medicine. Over the centuries, techniques and methodologies have been developed and refined to increase the accuracy of these estimates, reflecting advances in anatomical knowledge, imaging technology, and statistical analysis. This article aims to explore the historical evolution of these techniques, highlighting the major changes and innovations from the rudimentary methods used in early anthropological investigations to the sophisticated contemporary approaches incorporating cutting-edge technologies like computed tomography and machine learning algorithms. In addition to reviewing traditional methods, this study examines how the application of new technologies has contributed to greater accuracy and reliability in sex and age estimations, as well as the implications of these improvements for population studies and forensic investigations. By tracing this evolution, it seeks not only to provide a comprehensive overview of the historical development of these techniques but also to contextualize future trends and the challenges that still need to be addressed.

Cancer linguistics and the politics of decolonizing health communication in Coastal Tanzania: Reflections from an anthropological investigation

The role of language in maintaining asymmetries of power in global public health and biomedicine has become a central part of the broader movement to “decolonize Global Health.” While considering how language engenders inequalities in Global Health, hinders interventions, and inhibits medical care, this article contends that colonially derived theorizations of what language is undergirding top-down health communication efforts labeled as “decolonial” can thwart efforts to make biomedical care and public health clearer in postcolonies. We do this through outlining predicaments found in a linguistic anthropological exploration of cancer terminology in Coastal Tanzania. In the small town of Bagamoyo, saratani—the official translation for cancer in Tanzania created by the government in the 1980s as part of a larger effort of decolonial state-building—is dominantly understood as a different or unequivocal disease than kansa—the English-adapted name. As the dissemination of the term saratani into a linguistic arena where colonially derived word kansa is dominantly registered as the biological disease “cancer,” this linguistic disjuncture between saratani and kansa has not only created a plethora of problems for oncological care in Bagamoyo, but also illuminates the perils of creating more just health communication in an unequal global political economy. Through showing how binary conceptualizations of language as “colonial” and “local” can reproduce incommunicability—the rendering of racialized subjects as fundamentally unintelligible in hegemonic regimes—we contend that the afterlives of this past effort to decolonize medical language has important lessons for the present of “decolonizing Global Health.” Moving beyond static conceptualizations of language, we argue for a fluid “translanguaging” perspective of medical linguistics that facilitates the dismantlement of incommunicability and the global ordering that creates it.

The Fascinating World of Forensic Sciences: Multidisciplinary Approaches in Human Remains and the Role of Forensic Pathology in Calabrian Experience.

Forensic sciences play a vital role in the criminal justice system by providing insights into the identity of victims and suspects, causes of death, and other crucial pieces of evidence. In this research paper, we will explore the utility of forensic sciences, its techniques and applications, and the critical role of the forensic pathologist in analyzing human remains. For this purpose, we have analyzed a series of human remains and cadavers found in a state of decomposition, illustrating the medico-legal investigations carried out. Specifically, 50 cases from Calabrian experience are reported from 2003 to 2023 in different contexts of both judicial and archaeological interest and discovered by chance. In any case, anthropological, odontological, genetic, entomological, and forensic radiological investigations were carried out with the supervision of the forensic pathologist in all cases. The varied composition of the sample made it possible to understand the methods and the various specialists involved in such diversified cases. Furthermore, a review of the scientific literature on the topic of human remains was carried out. In particular, by delving into these topics, we aim to provide a comprehensive understanding of forensic anthropology and forensic sciences and their significance in the criminal justice system.

Changes in Cephalic Index and Head circumference of Igbo Children and Adolescents in a Nigerian Population

Background: The cephalic index and head circumference are important anthropometric parameters that can provide insights into the physical characteristics and growth patterns of populations. There is dearth of data on Cephalic Index and Head circumference of Igbo Children and Adolescents. Method: This study examined 725 Igbo children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 years in Enugu, South-eastern Nigeria, using a cross-sectional approach. Results: The majority of participants exhibited mesocephalic head shape (43.2%), with brachycephalic and dolichocephalic shapes observed in 32.7% and 14.2% of the population, respectively. Mean head circumference increased with age in both sexes. Cephalic indices in boys under 12 and girls under 15 were below 80 but increased above these ages. Changes in head shape, potentially towards brachycephalization, were noted as children grew. Significant correlations were found between head circumference and cephalic index with age, height, weight, and body mass index, suggesting their relevance in forensic and anthropological investigations. Conclusion: Our results indicate diversity in head shapes and sizes, with mesocephalic heads being most common. As age increases, head circumference also tends to increase, and changes in head shape towards brachycephalization was observed. These findings underscore the importance of understanding anthropometric variations in different populations and suggest avenues for further research, particularly longitudinal studies, to explore the factors influencing these patterns.

Exploring the genetic landscape of the Doukkala population (Morocco) using 15 autosomal short tandem repeats (STRs)

Introduction/ObjectivesSituated in West Central Morocco, the Doukkala region carries the distinction of being one of North Africa's oldest human settlement zones. Nonetheless, it has been notably understudied in the realm of population genetics. Through allele frequency analysis and integration of forensic parameters, the research aims to gain insights into the genetic structure and neighboring affiliations of the Doukkala population. MethodsThis study employed the AmpFlSTR Identifiler PCR system to assess the allelic frequencies and forensic parameters of 15 autosomal STRs in a cohort of 134 unrelated, healthy individuals from the Doukkala region who identify as Arab-speakers. Additionally, we explored the genetic relationships between the Doukkala population and other reference groups, considering both our dataset and previously published population data. ResultsA total of 180 alleles were observed in the study population. With a count of 19 alleles, D18S51 proved to be the most diverse marker in the study. After Bonferroni's correction, 3 loci (FGA, TH01, and TPOX) deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. The combined power of discrimination (PD) was 0.99999999999999999526 and the combined probability of exclusion (PE) was 0.99999664790900144592. The Arabic-speaking population of Rabat-Salé–Zemmour-Zaer and Southern population from Morocco exhibit the shortest genetic distance from population of Doukkala. No significant difference was observed between the Arabic-speaking population of Doukkala and all North African populations at all loci, except for the Egyptian population (North-East Africa), where a difference was observed at 2 specific loci (CSF1PO and TH01). ConclusionsThese results indicate that the diversity found in populations from North Africa transcends geographic and linguistic barriers. The dataset's relevance to this research could stem from its capacity to offer valuable reference data for forensic, anthropological, and genetic investigations.

Forensic Gender Prediction by Using Mandibular Morphometric Indices: A Panoramic Radiograph Study.

Aim and objective This study aims to assess the accuracy of gender estimation using gonial and antegonial angles and determine the gender of the given samples using gonial and antegonial angles. Introduction An essential component of the human skull, the mandible, exhibits sexual dimorphism, making it a valuable tool in forensic and anthropological investigations for detecting sex. This procedure can be especially difficult in situations where there are large numbers of casualties, natural disasters, or widely dispersed remains. The mandible is an accurate indicator of age and sex because it responds to patterns of growth. Sex determination through the gonial angle and antegonial angle involves analyzing the angles formed by the lower jaw bone in individuals. Examining these angles contributed to remarkable accuracy. Materials and methods A total of 500 samples, 250 male and 250 female panoramic radiographs, were carefully chosen for the study. The chosen samples ranged in age from 20 to 30 years. Orthophantomograms were measured in Planmeca software (Planmeca Romexis®, Version 6.0, USA INC.) and the descriptive statistics (paired t-test) were performed in SPSS Statistics version 16.0 (SPSS Inc. Released 2007. SPSS for Windows, Version 16.0. Chicago, SPSS Inc.). Results Gonial angle for males obtained the highest value of 127.27±5.29, followed by females at 127.08±5.18. This was followed by the antegonial angle for males of 10.74±3.14, and the least value was obtained by females of 10.67±3.30. The p-value for the gonial angle showed no statistical significance for males or females (p=0.679). Antegonial angle showed statistical significance in both males (p=0.008) and females (p=0.001). Conclusion Among both the parameters considered, the antegonial angle showed significance in determining the gender of the given samples. Hence, to assess the accuracy of gender estimation, the antegonial angle can be used as a parameter.

Sexual dimorphism in the enamel-dentine junction (EDJ) of permanent canines of European modern humans.

Dental anthropological investigations into sexual dimorphism have conventionally concentrated on evaluating the dimensions and configuration of the enamel cap of canines. However, the morphology of the crown dentine surface can be closely linked to that of the enamel surface. This link can facilitate examination of crown morphology even when the enamel surface is slightly worn. Here, we determine if the morphology of the enamel-dentine junction (EDJ) differs within (maxillary vs. mandibular) and between a sample of male (n = 26) and female (n = 21) contemporary human permanent canines from Europe. The morphological data of the EDJ were gathered employing a template comprising 96 landmarks and sliding semilandmarks. Subsequently, the data underwent analysis through form space principal component analysis following Procrustes registration, utilizing standard 3D geometric morphometric techniques. Significant differences in the morphology of the EDJ were observed between the sexes, particularly concerning the overall shape of the crown, the symmetry of the mesial and distal edges, and the development of the distal accessory ridge. Sex differences in the morphology of the EDJ could relate in part to retention of the canine-premolar honing complex in males. Our results indicate that analyses of the permanent canine EDJ may potentially provide a novel method for estimating the sex of adult and nonadult skeletons.

Encountering Artificial Intelligence: Ethical and Anthropological Investigations, edited by Matthew J. Gaudet, Noreen Herzfeld, Paul Scherz, and Jordan J. Wales

Encountering Artificial Intelligence: Ethical and Anthropological Investigations, edited by Matthew J. Gaudet, Noreen Herzfeld, Paul Scherz, and Jordan J. Wales

The Inheritance and Development of Tibetan Traditional Weaving Techniques — An Anthropological Investigation into the ‘rtsed ther’ Weaving Technique in Tibet, China

Traditional weaving techniques represent a microcosm of the unique aesthetics of the Tibetan ethnic group and vividly demonstrate the spiritual and cultural connotations of the Tibetan people through intricate details, showcasing distinct regional characteristics. Case studies on traditional weaving techniques contribute to the preservation and development of Tibetan traditional crafts. This paper based on first-hand data collected through multiple field investigations in Rtse Thang, Lhoka in Tibet, aims at a comprehensive analysis of the natural geographic environment, historical origin, imminent crisis faced by the ‘rtsed ther’ weaving technique, and efforts made to revive and pass on this tradition. It argues that through further inheritance of and exploration into the ‘rtsed ther’ traditional weaving technique, Tibetan traditional weaving can be systematically preserved and promoted.

Encountering Artificial Intelligence: Ethical and Anthropological Investigations

What does it mean to consider the world of AI through a Christian lens? Rapid developments in AI continue to reshape society, raising new ethical questions and challenging our understanding of the human person. Encountering Artificial Intelligence draws on Pope Francis’ discussion of a culture of encounter and broader themes in Catholic social thought in order to examine how current AI applications affect human relationships in various social spheres and offers concrete recommendations for better implementation. The document also explores questions regarding personhood, consciousness, and the kinds of relationships humans might have with even the most advanced AI. Through these discussions, the document investigates the theoretical and practical challenges to interpersonal encounter raised by the age of AI. Cover image credit: The cover image for Encountering Artificial Intelligence: Ethical and Anthropological Investigations was created by Jordan Wales using Dall-E and the prompt “a sibyl conjures a deep neural network, oil on canvas by Raphael.”

An Anthropological Investigation of Assam—the Human Trafficking Hub of India?

An Anthropological Investigation of Assam—the Human Trafficking Hub of India?

Exploring the genetic landscape of the Doukkala population (Morocco) using 15 autosomal short tandem repeats (STRs)

Introduction/ObjectivesSituated in West Central Morocco, the Doukkala region carries the distinction of being one of North Africa's oldest human settlement zones. Nonetheless, it has been notably understudied in the realm of population genetics. Through allele frequency analysis and integration of forensic parameters, the research aims to gain insights into the genetic structure and neighboring affiliations of the Doukkala population. MethodsThis study employed the AmpFlSTR Identifiler PCR system to assess the allelic frequencies and forensic parameters of 15 autosomal STRs in a cohort of 134 unrelated, healthy individuals from the Doukkala region who identify as Arab-speakers. Additionally, we explored the genetic relationships between the Doukkala population and other reference groups, considering both our dataset and previously published population data. ResultsA total of 180 alleles were observed in the study population. With a count of 19 alleles, D18S51 proved to be the most diverse marker in the study. After Bonferroni's correction, 3 loci (FGA, TH01, and TPOX) deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium. The combined power of discrimination (PD) was 0.99999999999999999526 and the combined probability of exclusion (PE) was 0.99999664790900144592. The Arabic-speaking population of Rabat-Salé–Zemmour-Zaer and Southern population from Morocco exhibit the shortest genetic distance from population of Doukkala. No significant difference was observed between the Arabic-speaking population of Doukkala and all North African populations at all loci, except for the Egyptian population (North-East Africa), where a difference was observed at 2 specific loci (CSF1PO and TH01). ConclusionsThese results indicate that the diversity found in populations from North Africa transcends geographic and linguistic barriers. The dataset's relevance to this research could stem from its capacity to offer valuable reference data for forensic, anthropological, and genetic investigations.

Identity versus Otherness: Propaedeutic Considerations

The present article attempts a philosophical, ontological and anthropological in-depth investigation of the conceptually opposed dual model identity-alterity in view of essentialist propaedeutic considerations, therefore contributing to the avoidance of reductionist interpretations. Thus, identity lays emphasis on the metaphysical problem of the "thing in itself", endowed with particular, unique properties and its relations with reality, as well as that of becoming, whereas alterity develops into a co-constructive—once the status of positive primordiality validated—total and irreducible concept. Being part of meta-categories of thinking about "Being", the opposing binomial identity-alterity is to be found as a fundamental concept in various disciplinary fields: logic, mathematics, physics, biology, chemistry, psychology, sociology, anthropology, linguistics, etc. thus, contributing to attempts to identify and individuate things, people, phenomena, facts, processes, etc. In the current era of globalization/mundialization processes, alongside with the opposing trends in this regard, when humanity and contemporary societies develop a gnoseological (re)evaluation of anthropological valorization, the in-depth knowledge of the antagonistic-integrative concept of identity/alterity profiles an epistemological technique and an open, complex, systemic and integral approach based on a series of considerations: discontinuity and non-separability, syncretic and integrative unity of co-constructive dualities, polytropic perception, propagation of complementarity, gnoseological and epistemological (co)relativity integrated into a real-rational-relational dynamic interface.

Role of Mancala Games in Human Evolution, Cultural Development, and Education: An Anthropological Inquiry

Mancala games, a diverse category of traditional board games played across cultures worldwide, bear resemblances to chess in their significance to human evolution and cultural progress. Drawing from anthropological investigations, this research uncovers the adaptability of mancala games to farming, marine, and nomadic cultures, tracing their origins to ancient Egypt and their subsequent spread among diverse civilizations in Africa, Malaysia, and China. This study highlights the extensive contributions of mancala games across various educational domains, encompassing moral, intellectual, physical, and aesthetic education, all of which foster comprehensive human development. By examining the cultural, historical, and educational dimensions of mancala games, this research unveils their profound impact on human societies throughout history, shedding light on their enduring significance. Mancala games emerge as powerful tools for promoting moral reasoning, critical thinking abilities, strategic planning skills, physical coordination, and cultural understanding. They embody cultural traditions, transmit ancestral knowledge, and foster social cohesion. Through their entertainment value and ability to shape and enrich human experiences, mancala games weave a cultural tapestry that intertwines with human societies, both past and present.

Necropolitics and Trans Identities: Language Use as Structural Violence

Despite the increasing visibility of transgender and gender diverse (TGD) people in U.S. society, current linguistic practices within forensic anthropology and death investigation in general are not TGD-inclusive. This lack of consideration for TGD decedents can cause unnecessary delays in the identification and disposition of their remains; moreover, failing to recognize their true identities is a form of forced post-mortem detransition. Using De León’s concept of necroviolence as a framework, we argue that language can also harm the dead and that the (mis)use of language within medicolegal death investigation reflects and reinforces structural violence against TGD people. Examples drawn from a qualitative review of public details for 87 cases are used to demonstrate how language and language-enforced bureaucratic structures can harm TGD decedents, their loved ones, the broader TGD community, and the process of medicolegal death resolution itself. We then suggest steps that anthropologists, death investigators, and their affiliated partners can take to reduce the systemic necropolitical violence faced by the TGD community. While TGD-inclusive methods will take time to implement at the institutional level, individual practitioners can enact significant change within the system by upholding core standards that recognize and respect the personhood and lived experiences of TGD decedents.

Local Knowledge and Innovation: An Ethnographic Study of Fishing Technology in Banjar Regency's Freshwater Environment

The goal of this anthropological investigation is to examine how fishing technology innovation in Banjar Regency relates to local knowledge. Using ethnographic techniques, such as participant observation and semi-structured interviews, this study was carried out over the course of six months, from January 2022 to June 2022. Interviews were conducted with 30 people, including 20 fisherman, 5 fish traders, and 5 representatives of the local administration. Following that, the concepts were put into categories. The study's conclusions shed light on the nuanced interplay between conventional wisdom and cutting-edge fishing techniques and showed that local communities ought to be included in the management of freshwater resources. The study also emphasizes the value of striking a balance between profitability and sustainability in fishing methods and emphasizes the necessity for ongoing research and cooperation between government organizations, academics, and local people to overcome the difficulties of sustainable fishing methods. Overall, the results point to the necessity of integrating traditional knowledge into contemporary fishing methods for sustainable fisheries management, and show that excessive reliance on fishing equipment has led to the loss of fish populations and the degradation of the freshwater ecosystem.

Bio-politics of Protest: Student Protests in Serbia and Bulgaria as a Mechanism of Security for a Social System

The research-based ethnographic study presented in the paper aims at explaining why the extensive student protests of the last decades in Serbia and Bulgaria do not facilitate the post-socialist transformation. Along with a high occurrence of political upheavals that commonly evoke images of mass unrest and swift social reconfigurations of power, no significant change in politics towards more democratic regime has taken place. Despite the presence of multiple liberal semantics in the public debate, the Balkan discourse on democracy seems fairly remote from the political and social practice. All the well-established theories of protest and social movements remain inconclusive in answering this query. In search of an explanation, the concept of security and the bio-political paradigm of Michel Foucault have been adopted. The distinctive conceptual framework helps to explain how protests became a kind of security mechanism preventing an unstable social system from radical changes. Based on that concept the anthropological investigation allowed to identify some systemic milestones, or structural dimensions, bringing some counterintuitive results when it comes to the assessment of key social functions of protest, and a rather expected disclosure of deep authoritarian settings of governing institutions. Finally, the article discusses some similarities between the contentious events in Serbia and Bulgaria, and how the private stories recorded during in-depth interviews conducted between 2014 and 2017 in Belgrade and Sofia combine into one legitimate public narration on the Balkan political issues