Injuries at the population of the pool Sevan (Armenia) in the eras of Middle, Late Bronze, and the Early Iron Ages

About the author:

Anahit Yu. Khudaverdyan, Research Associate, Institute of Archaeology and Еthnography, National Academy of Science (Republic of Armenia, Yerevan); akhudaverdyan@mail.ru

Abstract:

Archaeological excavation of Middle, Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age burial grounds in Sevan pool resulted in the recovery of 96 human skeletons. By examining traumatic bone lesions in the archaeological record, one may reconstruct aspects of the social and physical environments of past populations. Traumatism level in the studied groups can be qualified as moderately high. The comparative analysis revealed heterogeneity of level of traumatic damages to groups. The data obtained suggests that the frequency of trauma is variable in all of the studied samples and ranges from 25% to 84%. Among the most frequently observed skeletal lesions in paleopopulations were those resulting from injuries that sustained lifelong. The accidents, violent episodes of someone’s life often leave unmistakable traces on the skeleton in the form of broken bones. Anthropological studies on skeletal remains determined that trephination had been practised of the Late Bronze Age and Early Iron Age. There were recorded surgical interventions on skull bones of four individuals. Observation demonstrated that one individual did survive for a certain time after the surgery.

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