Entesic changes and terrestrial mobility in precolonial costal human groups from southern Brazil.

Abstract

It was analyzed lower limb entheseal changes in two prehistoric
coastal groups from Santa Catarina state, Armação do Sul and Praia da Tapera.
Nine areas of muscle attachment were examined in 101 adults of both sexes,
divided into three age intervals, with attribution of increasing scores to determine
the degree of robusticity. Entheses were analyzed together, given the general
function of the muscles in terrestrial mobility, using chi-square test (p<0.05) and
Grouping Analysis for inter and intragroup comparisons. Data indicated a pattern
of intense terrestrial mobility in rough terrain among men of Tapera series. A less
intense pattern was observed among men of Armação do Sul series, associated
with displacements at shorter distances and/or on flat ground. In both series
women showed less pronounced muscular demands than men. The biocultural
discussion integrated bioarchaeological, archaeological and environmental data
from each site.