Keywords

age-at-death; bioarchaeology; fertility; mortality; paleodemography; subadults

Abstract

This research analyzed bioarchaeological data from the Peruvian site of Túcume in an attempt to understand what the overall mortality profile may have been like, as well as what patterns may have been seen in juvenile and infant mortality. The primary data set, which consisted of estimated age-at-death values from previously excavated skeletal remains, was examined via three different models (Life Table, 5 Year Incremental, and Categorical), as well as compared to data from two other comparable sites (Pacatnamú and Farfán). It was found that individuals at Túcume were dying in unequal proportions across the age groups, ranging from newborn to approximately 65 years of age. Each of the three models displayed varying trends and, with the comparison between the three sites, differing mortality patterns were seen. The rate of fertility in the primary data set was calculated to have been high and may have had an effect on the mortality patterns.

This research helps to fill a gap that exists within the literature and is important because of the importance of infants. While there is a biological draw towards reproduction, there is also the social aspect of it and the fact of the matter is that most individuals decide to have offspring simply because they want to. Infant mortality is a field of interest because, as a society, we want our young to live and identifying patterns or potential factors in their mortality is one of the first steps towards helping more of them do so successfully. Even though the data looked at here was from an archaeological context, analyzing ancient societies can provide us with the opportunity to gain knowledge and may be used as a reference point both in the present and for the future.

Thesis Completion Year

2024

Thesis Completion Semester

Fall

Thesis Chair

Toyne, J. Marla

College

College of Sciences

Department

Anthropology

Thesis Discipline

Anthropology

Language

English

Access Status

Open Access

Length of Campus Access

None

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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Rights Statement

In Copyright