Palaeodemography and palaeopathology of Khartoum Mesolithic skeletal remains from Jebel Sabaloka in central Sudan: first insights from the site of Sphinx
| Pages | 65–82 |
|---|---|
| DOI | 10.37520/jnmpnhs.2022.006 |
| Keywords | Africa; Sudan; Nile Valley; early Holocene; Early Khartoum culture; Mesolithic; hunter-gatherers; human burials; health state; palaeodemography; palaeopathology |
| Type of Article | Peer-reviewed |
| Citation | HAVELKOVÁ, Petra Brukner, CREVECOEUR, Isabelle, VILLOTTE, Sébastien, VELEMÍNSKÝ, Petr, VARADZIN, Ladislav a VARADZINOVÁ, Lenka. Palaeodemography and palaeopathology of Khartoum Mesolithic skeletal remains from Jebel Sabaloka in central Sudan: first insights from the site of Sphinx. Journal of the National Museum (Prague), Natural History Series. Prague: National Museum, 2022, 191(1), 65–82. DOI: https://doi.org/10.37520/jnmpnhs.2022.006. ISSN 1802-6842 (print), 1802-6850 (electronic). Also available from: https://publikace.nm.cz/en/periodicals/jotnmpnhs/191-1/palaeodemography-and-palaeopathology-of-khartoum-mesolithic-skeletal-remains-from-jebel-sabaloka-in-central-sudan-first-insights-from-the-site-of-sphinx |
The site of Sphinx (SBK.W-60), located about 80 km north of Khartoum in the western part of Jebel Sabaloka, has been investigated since 2011 by the Charles University Sabaloka Expedition. Eleven trenches contained settlement deposits relating to occupation by hunter-fisher-gatherers of the Khartoum Mesolithic (or the Early Khartoum culture) dated at the site between 8750 and 4750 cal BC. In addition, five of the trenches yielded also human skeletal remains in primary and secondary deposits, with the minimal number of individuals estimated following anthropological standards at 45 individuals. The demographic structure of the burial site shows no selection based on sex, but immature individuals, especially those under the age of one year, seem to be markedly underrepresented, which is not unusual in pre-Neolithic funeral assemblages. Dental diseases, especially periapical lesions and inflammatory changes, predominate at Sphinx; however, a very low incidence of dental caries was recorded. Healed traumatic lesions or fractures possibly of accidental origin occurred in only six individuals. One identified case of perimortem trauma on the right scapula indicates an act of inter-personal violence. Nevertheless, it is possible to perceive the population buried at Sphinx as relatively healthy and peaceful.
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