A Method for Life Expectancy Analysis Applied to Examine the Adaptive Variations of Previous Skeletal Populations

Document Type

Article

Authors

Denis G. Wright, University of Connecticut, Storrs, Connecticut

Abstract

A method for calculating life expectancy from skeletal or gravestone series is discussed for use in the study of the overall adaptation of a population to its environment. The method involves a new procedure for arranging the data available from cemetery gravestone inscriptions. From this data arrangement system comes the index of life expectancy, a new measure of the adaptive success of a population through time. The methods of life expectancy analysis are applied to two towns of early Connecticut, and a significant level of variation in adaptive success is estimated.

Recommended Citation

Wright, Denis G. (1978) "A Method for Life Expectancy Analysis Applied to Examine the Adaptive Variations of Previous Skeletal Populations," Human Biology: Vol. 50: Iss. 2, Article 6.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol50/iss2/6