Determination of Stress Episode Duration from Linear EnamelHypoplasias: A Case Study from St. Catherines Island, Georgia

Document Type

Article

Authors

Dale L. Hutchinson, University of Illinois
Clark Spencer Larsen, Northern Illinois University

Abstract

Previous research has provided data that are consistent with the hypothesis that the transition from a hunting/gathering to agricultural lifeway in later prehistory is associated with a decrease in general health of prehistoric populations on the Georgia coast and elsewhere. Subsequent contact period populations in the New World were subjected to reduction in dietary quality, European-introduced infectious diseases, and other stressors. Patterns of enamel growth arrest (hypoplasias) from the Spanish mission of Santa Catalina de Guale (St. Catherines Island, Georgia) are examined. Comparisons with prehistoric populations from St. Catherines Island show a trend toward longer stress episodes. The discussion relates the evidence of general health in the mission population to the larger issue of changing lifeways and European contact.

Recommended Citation

Hutchinson, Dale L. and Larsen, Clark Spencer (1988) "Determination of Stress Episode Duration from Linear EnamelHypoplasias: A Case Study from St. Catherines Island, Georgia," Human Biology: Vol. 60: Iss. 1, Article 12.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/humbiol/vol60/iss1/12