Abstract

SALAZAR CAMACHO, Milena  and  MARQUEZ MORFIN, Lourdes. Health condition of an ancient population in the west of Mesoamerica: study of the inhabitants of Los Limones archaeological site, Mexico (600-1000 d.C.). Rev Arg Antrop Biol [online]. 2022, vol.24, n.1, 043.  Epub Jan 01, 2022. ISSN 1514-7991.  http://dx.doi.org/10.24215/18536387e043.

This research focuses on the health condition of 29 individuals that inhabited Los Limones site during the Armería phase (600-1000 AD). The individuals were evaluated to determine if their health conditions had any relationship with the agricultural subsistence practices that have been proposed for the site. On the basis of the standardized methodology for calculating stress indicators, a macroscopic analysis of four bone and six dental lesions was conducted. Dental caries, calculus, antemortem tooth loss, and periosteal reactions were the most frequent lesions. These lesions were identified in juvenile, young adult, and adult individuals of both sexes. Data derived from the environmental and archaeological context, as well as from the identification of bone and dental lesions, suggest that the ancient inhabitants of the Los Limones site may have had a mixed subsistence strategy that included activities such as agriculture, fishing, hunting, and collecting wild plants and fruits.

Keywords : health; agriculture; mixed subsistence strategy; Los Limones site; Mexico.

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