Related Experiment Videos
Analysis of the Ft. Laurens, Ohio, skeletal sample
1Department of Anthropology, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210.
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
|September 1, 1989
Summary
Skeletal analysis of the 1779 Ft. Laurens sample reveals young males of northern European ancestry. Evidence of stress, frequent dental issues, and numerous traumatic injuries, including cut marks, align with historical accounts of a violent end.
Area of Science:
- Bioarchaeology
- Paleopathology
- Forensic Anthropology
Background:
- Analysis of the 1779 Ft. Laurens skeletal sample (N=21) from Ohio.
- Investigation of age, sex, ancestry, and skeletal pathologies.
Observation:
- Sample comprised young males (mean age 23.5 years) of northern European ancestry.
- Morphometric analysis showed minimal differences compared to modern and historical Euro-American samples.
- Skeletal pathologies indicated high activity levels and moderate stress.
Findings:
- Frequent dental pathologies, notably higher caries incidence than expected for the period.
- Numerous traumatic pathologies, including cut and hack marks, consistent with historical accounts of violence and scalping.
- Results largely align with historical expectations for the individuals lost at Ft. Laurens.
Implications:
- Provides bioarchaeological insights into the health and trauma experienced by individuals during the Colonial Period.
- Corroborates historical records of violent conflict and death at Ft. Laurens.
- Contributes to understanding the lived experiences and mortality patterns of frontier soldiers.