Bioarchaeological evidence of care provided to a physically disabled individual from Pachacamac, Peru.
Int J Paleopathol
; 25: 139-149, 2019 06.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30205947
ABSTRACT
This paper presents a bioarchaeology of care case study based on the skeletonized remains of an elderly female with a congenital condition that compromised both mobility and independence in undertaking certain basic tasks, and which generated requirements for long-term care in the form of both direct support and accommodation. The remains show evidence of bilateral cervical ribs, severe osteoarthritic destruction in the right shoulder joint, and a healed skull trepanation. The remains were recovered from a cemetery dating to the initial part of the Late Intermediate Period at the archaeological site of Pachacamac, Peru. The subject has been identified as belonging to an Ychsma ayllu. This paper applies the bioarchaeology of care methodology in considering the implications of care provision within the Ychsma socialcontext, and suggests that caregiving may have been a relatively common practice in this complex society. This case study is a good example of how the application of social theory through the bioarchaeology of care approach can enrich bioarchaeological studies.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Archaeology
/
Long-Term Care
/
Disabled Persons
/
Health Services
Type of study:
Prognostic_studies
Aspects:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limits:
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
Country/Region as subject:
America do sul
/
Peru
Language:
En
Journal:
Int J Paleopathol
Year:
2019
Document type:
Article