Reevaluating Harris lines--a comparison between Harris lines and enamel hypoplasia.
This study examines the association between Harris lines and enamel hypoplasia. This association is analyzed in terms of: 1) presence/absence of these markers in each individual, and 2) age of the individuals at the time of Harris lines and enamel hypoplasias formation. Data from two archaeological groups (Azapa-71 and Azapa-140) from northern Chile were analyzed. The results indicate Harris lines and enamel hypoplasias are not associated in terms of presence/absence. Moreover, the estimated age of the individuals at the time of Harris lines and enamel hypoplasia formation shows that these two markers have a very different distribution. While enamel hypoplasias clustered between ages 3 and 5, Harris lines were more commonly formed during the first year of life, as well as during adolescence, which are the periods of most accelerated growth. We propose that Harris lines are a result of a normal, rather than abnormal, saltatory growth process.
Alfonso
Marta Pilar
MP
Department of Anthropology, State University of New York, Binghamton, New York 13902-6000, USA. malfons1@binghamton.edu
Thompson
Jennifer Louise
JL
Standen
Vivien Grace
VG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D001846:Bone Development; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002677:Chile / Q000453:epidemiology; D003744:Dental Enamel Hypoplasia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth; D049690:History, Ancient; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D010164:Paleopathology; D011859:Radiography; D013977:Tibia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging