Type of Document	Master's Thesis
Author	Lund, Erin Suzanne
URN	etd-0409103-130641
Title	An Anthropological Examination of Classic Maya Burials from Moho Cay, Belize: Skeletal and Dental Evidence of Demography, Diet, and Health
Degree	Master of Arts (M.A.)
Department	Geography and Anthropology
Advisory Committee	Advisor Name Title Heather McKillop Committee Chair Mary H. Manhein Committee Member Robert Tague Committee Member
Keywords	taphonomy stature dental study skeletal pathology cultural modification osteology burials Maya dental modification
Date of Defense	2003-04-04
Availability	unrestricted
Abstract In the Maya area, archaeological excavations have yielded an abundance of skeletal material from a multitude of sites throughout Belize, Guatemala, Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras. In 1979, a series of excavations led by Heather McKillop at Moho Cay, Belize, revealed a number of human interments. This thesis analyzes the Moho Cay skeletal collection composed of remains from eight discrete Late Classic (A.D. 600-800) burials and nine other archaeological units. Skeletal and dental analysis of the remains included assessing minimum number of individuals per burial and establishing age and sex for each individual. The bones were also examined for signs of skeletal and dental pathology, as well as cultural modifications. Additionally, this thesis includes chi-square analysis of the occurrence of dental pathology and level of attrition as related to tooth class. As pathologies of the skeleton are direct reflections of the individual’s diet and health, the findings of this analysis present a picture of the health and diet of the Moho Cay community. Overall, this study has found that the Moho Cay Maya had moderate dental health and good overall health since few cases of skeletal pathology were observed. The results of this research do not corroborate the hypotheses of Late Classic decline in public health.
Files	Filename       Size       Approximate Download Time (Hours:Minutes:Seconds)     28.8 Modem   56K Modem   ISDN (64 Kb)   ISDN (128 Kb)   Higher-speed Access    Lund_thesis.pdf 2.52 Mb 00:11:39 00:05:59 00:05:14 00:02:37 00:00:13