Article
Instances of avian osteoarthritis from the Unalaska Sea Ice Project, Unalaska Island, Alaska
International Journal of Paleopathology
(2021)
Abstract
Objective: This project is designed to examine the prevalence of skeletal pathology in two archaeological avian
bone assemblages.
Materials: Archaeological avian bone assemblages with Number of Identified Specimens of 14,909 (UNL-055) and
36,866 (UNL-048).
Methods: Visual examination of humeri, coracoids, tarsometatarsi, and cranial elements for pathology during
taxonomic identification.
Results: 83 instances of skeletal pathology were observed in these assemblages and were most prevalent in the
UNL-048 assemblage. Marginal osteophytes around the articular surfaces of the coracoid were the primary bone
pathology in the UNL-048 avian assemblage.
Conclusions: The prevalence of osteoarthritis in surface diving birds at the UNL-048 site could be due to changing
climate.
Significance: Considering the environmental factors that contribute to instances of animal pathology allows for a
more contextual interpretation of the cultural processes that occurred at archaeological sites.
Limitations: Time and budgetary constraints did not allow for examination of the entire avian assemblage.
Suggestions for future research: Further intensive review of archaeological avian assemblages alongside consideration of environmental and cultural processes occurring during the site occupation is advised.
Keywords
- osteology,
- pathology,
- paleopathology,
- zooarchaeology
Disciplines
Publication Date
2021
Citation Information
Michael A. Etnier. "Instances of avian osteoarthritis from the Unalaska Sea Ice Project, Unalaska Island, Alaska" International Journal of Paleopathology Vol. 35 (2021) p. 1 - 7 ISSN: 1879-9817 Available at: http://works.bepress.com/michael-etnier/43/