TY  - JOUR
AU  - Cilli, Jacopo
AU  - Di Felice, Arianna
AU  - Capasso, Luigi
AU  - D'Anastasio, Ruggero
TI  - Entheseal changes of the Achilles tendon in the Samnitic population of Opi, Val Fondillo (VII-VI century BCE; Abruzzo, central Italy): a preliminary study
PY  - %2024/%08/%09
Y2  - %2026/%08/%27
JF  - Journal of Bioarchaeological Research
JA  - JBR
VL  - 2
IS  - 2
SE  - Original Article: Physical Anthropology
UR  - https://mattioli1885journals.com/index.php/JBR/article/view/16153
SP  - e2024008
AB  - Entheseal changes are an important feature in anthropological studies for reconstruction of lifestyles in ancient populations. This study examined Achilles tendon enthesis in a Samnitic population of Opi (VII-VI century BCE; central Italy), to investigate differences in work activities between females and males through life. Fifty-one individuals provided 35 usable heel bones that were examined using a standardized scoring method for entheseal changes (grades 0-4). Different distribution patterns of enthesopathies between females and males were seen. Females showed physiological changes in Achilles tendon enthesis linked to age-group. Males showed overall higher entheseal change distributions linked to earlier death, with some reaching the highest grade 4 in the 25-35 years age-group (8.3%). These data are consistent with different work activities between these females and males, and suggest more static and less-demanding female roles, with some males involved in harder/ more dynamic and dangerous activities, compared to females.
ER  -