Embedded Files
Skeleton One
Skeleton One
Age: between 19-25 years old. This is an estimate based on analysis of the skeleton's bones. Although the tibia had grown fully, some of the bone ends remained unfused.
Height: 173cm. This is quite tall for their time.
Pelvic features (left):
Pelvic inlet was heart-shaped
Sciatic notch was narrow
Narrow sub-pubic angle
Hip bones not flared
Bones: they reveal that they suffered from a minor case of spina bifida. They did not die from this but it could have caused discomfort or difficulties with movement. But they also had well-developed muscles that show he was seemingly quite healthy.
We see indications of the rigours of life in the high country – a shorter, heavier physique, muscular development consistent with a life moving up and down hills.
Relationship to Skeleton Two: although they were buried together, their genetic relationship is not known. We can only make educated guesses as to why they died and were buried together.
spina bifida
spina bifida
Mild spina bifida is a birth defect where one or more of the bones in the spine is malformed. It is often found by accident on an x-ray or similar test. The mild form rarely causes disabilities or symptoms.
Skeletal Remains
Skeletal Remains
Colin Pardoe, physical anthropologist (AIATSIS), was only able to analyse the lower skeletal remains as the skulls and upper body parts were washed away by the flood that originally exposed the bones.
Skeleton Two
Skeleton Two
Age: middle aged. This is based on the wear of the teeth.
Height: 155cm (estimate based on the length of the thigh bone)
Pelvic features (right):
Pelvic inlet was open, circular
Sciatic notch was broad
Wider sub-pubic angle
Hip bones outwardly flared
Teeth: the teeth (there were four human teeth found) all show signs of grooving at the gums. This is a common sign of drawing fibres between the teeth - a practice used in the making of string (and also for basketry). Campbell (1925) notes a higher incidence of grooves on riverine populations. it is exaclty those groups who would have used nets extensively for hunting and fishing.
Tooth decay is also apparent and is probably also a result of making string. They also had the oldest found case of dental cavities in Australia. These were probably caused by the bacteria getting into the small grooves on the teeth. Cavities can also be caused by a diet rich in carbohydrates.
Bones: The leg bones show Harris lines. These are caused by periods of starvation or disease in childhood and can be seen when the bones are X-rayed. The surface of the left fibula indicates how the attached muscle was used. It suggest that they had strong legs - no surprise for someone who lived in hilly country.
Skeleton: It was found that there was asymmetry between the left and right sides of the skeleton. In this case, we might associate this with lifting or perhaps use of a digging stick.
ABORIGINAL FAMILY GROUP, 1856 Deutscher and Hackett
Life Expectancy
Life Expectancy
For human hunter-gatherers, mean life span at birth is about 31.
(the site below is pretty technical!!)
Caring for the Elderly
Caring for the Elderly
"Archival evidence indicates that Indigenous Australians generally lived to a good age in pre-colonial society, ...care was provided by the young to the elderly, and, even older persons with disability received care and support and medicinal remedies were utilised to counter illness." G. Blyton (2009)
Page updated
Report abuse