This paper investigates trabecular bone ontogenetic changes in two different Polish populations, one prehistoric and the other historical. The studied populations are from the Brześć Kujawski region ...in Kujawy (north-central Poland), one from the Neolithic Period (4500-4000 BC) and one from the Middle Ages (twelfth-sixteenth centuries AD), in total 62 vertebral specimens (32 males, 30 females). Eight morphometric parameters acquired from microCT scan images were analysed. Two-way ANOVA after Box-Cox transformation and multifactorial regression model were calculated. A significant decrease in percentage bone volume fraction (BV/TV; %) with age at death was observed in the studied sample; Tb.N (trabecular number) was also significantly decreased with age; trabecular separation (Tb.Sp) increased with advancing age; connectivity density (Conn.D) was negatively correlated with biological age and higher in the Neolithic population. These data are found to be compatible with data from the current biomedical literature, while no loss of horizontal trabeculae was recorded as would be expected based on modern osteoporosis.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The aim of the present study was to define the mtDNA variability of Polish population and to visualize the genetic relations between Poles. For the first time, the study of Polish population was ...conducted on such a large number of individuals (5852) representing administrative units of both levels of local administration in Poland (voivodeships and counties). Additionally, clustering was used as a method of population subdivision. Performed genetic analysis, included F
, MDS plot, AMOVA and SAMOVA. Haplogroups were classified and their geographical distribution was visualized using surface interpolation maps. Results of the present study showed that Poles are characterized by the main West Eurasian mtDNA haplogroups. Furthermore, the level of differentiation within the Polish population was quite low but the existing genetic differences could be explained well with geographic distances. This may lead to a conclusion that Poles can be considered as genetically homogenous but with slight differences, highlighted at the regional level. Some patterns of variability were observed and could be explained by the history of demographic processes in Poland such as resettlements and migrations of women or relatively weaker urbanisation and higher rural population retention of some regions.
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EMUNI, FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
For a long time, anthropological and genetic research on the Neolithic revolution in Europe was mainly concentrated on the mechanism of agricultural dispersal over different parts of the continent. ...Recently, attention has shifted towards population processes that occurred after the arrival of the first farmers, transforming the genetically very distinctive early Neolithic Linear Pottery Culture (LBK) and Mesolithic forager populations into present-day Central Europeans. The latest studies indicate that significant changes in this respect took place within the post-Linear Pottery cultures of the Early and Middle Neolithic which were a bridge between the allochthonous LBK and the first indigenous Neolithic culture of north-central Europe--the Funnel Beaker culture (TRB). The paper presents data on mtDNA haplotypes of a Middle Neolithic population dated to 4700/4600-4100/4000 BC belonging to the Brześć Kujawski Group of the Lengyel culture (BKG) from the Kuyavia region in north-central Poland. BKG communities constituted the border of the "Danubian World" in this part of Europe for approx. seven centuries, neighboring foragers of the North European Plain and the southern Baltic basin. MtDNA haplogroups were determined in 11 individuals, and four mtDNA macrohaplogroups were found (H, U5, T, and HV0). The overall haplogroup pattern did not deviate from other post-Linear Pottery populations from central Europe, although a complete lack of N1a and the presence of U5a are noteworthy. Of greatest importance is the observed link between the BKG and the TRB horizon, confirmed by an independent analysis of the craniometric variation of Mesolithic and Neolithic populations inhabiting central Europe. Estimated phylogenetic pattern suggests significant contribution of the post-Linear BKG communities to the origin of the subsequent Middle Neolithic cultures, such as the TRB.
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DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
The study presents a full analysis of the Y-chromosome variability of the modern male Polish population. It is the first study of the Polish population to be conducted with such a large set of data ...(2,705 individuals), which includes genetic information from inhabitants of all voivodeships, i.e., the first administrative level, in the country and the vast majority of its counties, i.e., the second level. In addition, the available data were divided into clusters corresponding to more natural geographic regions. Genetic analysis included the estimation of
F
ST
distances, the visualization with the use of multidimensional scaling plots and analysis of molecular variance. Y-chromosome binary haplogroups were classified and visualized with the use of interpolation maps. Results showed that the level of differentiation within Polish population is quite low, but some differences were indicated. It was confirmed that the Polish population is characterized by a high degree of homogeneity, with only slight genetic differences being observed at the regional level. The use of regional clustering as an alternative to counties and voivodeships provided a more detailed view of the genetic structure of the population. Those regional differences identified in the present study highlighted the need for additional division of the population by cultural and ethnic criteria in such studies rather than just by geographical or administrative regionalization.
Alterations in the region of the pubic symphysis and of the sacroiliac joints referred to as pelvic scarring are investigated by forensic scientists as potential indicators of pregnancy and ...parturition. Although pelvic scarring is not exclusively related to obstetrical events, the analysis of the relationship between this trait and skeletal mineral density in archaeological samples can give us a new insight into women's lives. The present study analyzes the relationship between the presence and the degree of pelvic scarring observed on the pelvic bones and bone mineral density (BMD) measured in the proximal femur in 190 skeletons of adult females representing archaeological populations from the region of Kujawy in north-central Poland and dating from 4500 BCE to the early 19th century CE. Multiple regression analysis has shown that 48% of the variability of bone mineral density of the female skeletons is explained by the time periods of the archaeological population, the individual's age at death, the depth of the proximal femur and the pelvic scarring. In all the analyzed skeletal samples, the females with a high degree of pelvic scarring regardless of age at death were characterized by higher bone mineral density than the females without such alterations. A high degree of scarring explains over 3% of the variability of BMD in the analyzed female skeletons. It seems that pelvic scarring together with bone mineral density can shed some light on reproductive phenomena in past populations.
•Pelvic scarring positively correlates with bone mineral density in skeletal samples.•Females who lived longer tended to have a greater degree of pelvic scarring.•Pelvic scarring can provide information about parity at the population level.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
In 2023, prospection of a dried-out lake near Papowo Biskupie in north-central Poland identified substantial deposits of bronze artefacts. Excavation revealed further deposits and dozens of human ...skeletons that date from 1000–400 BC, suggesting that the site held particular significance as a place for sacrificial offerings in the Lusatian culture.
The current increase in the incidence of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures among men and the decrease in age in which these first occur raise the question about historical changes in the ...patterns of bone loss with age, including sex differences, and their biological and cultural determinants in the past. The present study analyzed bone mineral density (BMD) and bone fractures in 267 male skeletons representing six geographically homogeneous populations from the region of Kujawy in north-central Poland, both prehistoric (Middle Neolithic) and historical (early Middle Ages to early modern times). Sex differences in BMD were investigated using data from a previous study of females from these populations (Spinek et al., 2016). In general, the regular patterns of age-related bone loss found in men from the studied archaeological populations were similar to those observed today. In all age groups, Neolithic men showed a significantly higher BMD as compared to the historical samples; on the other hand, the latter revealed similar values to contemporary populations in the middle and old age groups. Thus, in the analyzed period, a major transition in bone maintenance patterns occurred between the Neolithic and the Early Middle Ages. The archaeological populations exhibited a faster rate of bone loss with age: while their initial BMD levels were higher than those in contemporary populations, BMD for the oldest age groups was similar to or even lower than today. The most pronounced sex differences in BMD were found for young adults, which indicates a significantly greater influence of factors limiting peak bone mass and contributing to bone loss in young women, probably associated with reproductive history (age at menarche and pregnancies). The men, and especially young individuals, exhibited a higher prevalence of osteoporotic fractures as compared to the women. The main factor determining such sex- and age-specific patterns of osteoporotic fractures in the analyzed skeletal samples was the generally greater susceptibility to injuries of the males.
•Bone mineral density decreased from the Neolithic to early modern times.•Osteoporotic fractures occurred more frequently and earlier in men than in women.•The higher risk of osteoporotic fractures in men had a socio-cultural background.•Reproductive stress significantly affected bone maintenance of women in the past.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
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