The daily grind: Sex- and age-related activity patterns inferred from cross-sectional geometry of long bones in a pre-Columbian muisca population from Tibanica, Colombia.

OBJECTIVES: Daily activities involve biomechanical strains acting on skeletal structures. This study identifies differences in activity patterns between males and females, and between young, middle, and older aged individuals within an excavated Muisca skeletal sample from the Eastern Andes region of Northern South America. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Tibanica archaeological site (AD 1000-1400) is located at 2600 masl on the Sabana de Bogotá, Colombia. Cross-sectional geometric analysis of femurs from 63 individuals and paired-humerii from 33 individuals was used to examine bone size (TA), strength (J) and diaphyseal shape (Imax /Imin , Ix /Iy ). RESULTS: The findings indicate both age- and sex-related differences in activity patterns. An emphasis on upper body strength and robusticity was observed in the females, while males performed more strenuous work using their lower bodies, suggesting gender-based differences in labor. Men showed significant asymmetry in their humerii, with most showing right-hand dominance for upper body activities, while females showed high levels of humeral symmetry indicating similar levels of biomechanical stress for both arms. Female femoral diaphyseal shape changes with age, suggesting more mobility in youth and decreased mobility in middle and older ages. DISCUSSION: These results suggest that daily life may have been structured through patterns of routine labor that united and divided particular age and sex groups. Cross-sectional geometry data indicate women likely spent significant time and energy preparing food, especially grinding maize or other foods, while men may have done more long-distance walking potentially to work in agricultural fields or procure other resources.

[Real-time quantification to analyze historical Colombian samples detecting a short fragment of hypervariable region II of mitochondrial DNA].

INTRODUCTION: Unlike other molecular biology studies, the analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA) requires special infrastructure and methodological conditions to guarantee the quality of the results. One of the main authenticity criteria is DNA quantification, where quantitative real-time PCR is often used given its sensitivity and specificity. Nevertheless, the implementation of these conditions and methodologies to fulfill authenticity criteria imply higher costs. Objective: To develop a simple and less costly method for mitochondrial DNA quantification suitable for highly degraded samples. Materials and methods: The proposed method is based on the use of mini-primers for the specific amplification of short fragments of mitochondrial DNA. The subsequent purification of these amplified fragments allows a standard curve to be constructed with concentrations in accordance to the state of degradation of the samples. Results: The proposed method successfully detected DNA from ancient samples including bone remains and mummified tissue. DNA inhibitory substances were also detected. Conclusion: The proposed method represents a simpler and cost-effective way to detect low amounts of aDNA, and a tool to differentiate DNA-free samples from samples with inhibitory substances.

Cuantificación en tiempo real de un conjunto de muestras colombianas de relevancia histórica mediante la detección de un fragmento corto de la región hipervariable II del ADN mitocondrial

Introducción. A diferencia de otro tipo de investigaciones, el análisis de ADN antiguo (ADNa) requiere la implementación de condiciones metodológicas y de infraestructura especializadas que garanticen la autenticidad de los resultados. Uno de los criterios de autenticidad para este tipo de muestras es la cuantificación del material genético, en la cual es común el uso de la reacción en cadena de la polimerasa (PCR) cuantitativa en tiempo real, por su sensibilidad y especificidad. La implementación de estas metodologías y de las condiciones necesarias para el cumplimiento de los requisitos de autenticidad hace que este tipo de investigación sea dispendioso y costoso. Objetivo. Generar una estrategia de cuantificación del ADN mitocondrial de muestras seriamente degradadas mediante un sistema sencillo y de fácil implementación. Materiales y métodos. El sistema se basa en el uso de iniciadores que posibilitan la amplificación específica de fragmentos cortos del ADN mitocondrial. La posterior purificación de este fragmento permite generar una curva estándar con concentraciones acordes al estado de degradación de la muestra. Resultados. Se detectó ADN antiguo proveniente de restos óseos y tejidos momificados de diferentes fechas. Además, el sistema permitió detectar la presencia de agentes inhibidores del ADN. Conclusión. La implementación de la estrategia aquí planteada es sencilla, puede reducir los costos de la investigación y, además, permite la detección de ADNa en muestras muy degradadas, así como la discriminación entre las muestras que no poseen material genético y aquellas que presentan agentes inhibidores.

Introduction: Unlike other molecular biology studies, the analysis of ancient DNA (aDNA) requires special infrastructure and methodological conditions to guarantee the quality of the results. One of the main authenticity criteria is DNA quantification, where quantitative real-time PCR is often used given its sensitivity and specificity. Nevertheless, the implementation of these conditions and methodologies to fulfill authenticity criteria imply higher costs. Objective: To develop a simple and less costly method for mitochondrial DNA quantification suitable for highly degraded samples. Materials and methods: The proposed method is based on the use of mini-primers for the specific amplification of short fragments of mitochondrial DNA. The subsequent purification of these amplified fragments allows a standard curve to be constructed with concentrations in accordance to the state of degradation of the samples. Results: The proposed method successfully detected DNA from ancient samples including bone remains and mummified tissue. DNA inhibitory substances were also detected. Conclusion: The proposed method represents a simpler and cost-effective way to detect low amounts of aDNA, and a tool to differentiate DNA-free samples from samples with inhibitory substances.