Growing up in al-Andalus: an osteological analysis of non-adult skeletal material in Écija, Spain
View/ Open
Date
05/12/2022Author
Shupe, Catherine Anne
Metadata
Abstract
The Islamic conquest of the Iberian Peninsula brought new religion, language, and
economies to the region. The aim of this research is to detect how the non-adult skeleton
reacts to religious change. Religious doctrines can dictate and individual’s life, from birth to
death, and influence everyday choices such as diet and activities. Therefore, religious
transitions can be expressed skeletally. While there have been several bioarchaeological
studies on transitional periods or geographic differences, most have focused on agricultural
shifts or rural versus urban settlements. There are few studies on cultural, specifically
religious, transitions in non-adult skeletal samples. By using a biocultural approach and
taking into consideration the historical context, environment, and religious doctrine, we can
gain understanding of the local social environment.
Non-adults were chosen due to their sensitivity to changes within a community. The
main aim of this study was to perform an intra-site analysis between the early and late phases
of the maqbara at the Plaza de España. The maqbara at the Plaza de España was used from
the early 8th century to the 12th century and had clear stratigraphic phases of use, thus
allowing an analysis between the early and late phases. An intra-site analysis was conducted
as religious transitions do not happen quickly and there was subsequent increase in both rural
and urban populations, along with economic and agricultural innovations. Thus, the lives of
the individuals in the later phases, could have been significantly different to those in the
earlier phases. In addition to the intra-site analysis, comparative medieval non-adult Spanish
samples were used when available.
The results of this study suggest that there was not a significant difference in
demography or pathology between the early and late phases of the maqbara. The individuals
in the late phase did exhibit slight growth stunting, however due to the minimal nature and
small sample size, no definitive conclusion was made. The most prevalent pathology was
cribra orbitalia, however, there was not a statistically significant difference between the Early
and Late phases. While indicators of metabolic disease were present, they were minimal.
Dental disease, especially caries, were minimal and similar to prevalence rates from other
medieval Spanish samples. These results suggest that the non-adults in the sample were not
negatively impacted by the changes in their environments. While al-Andalus experienced
population growth over the centuries, Écija’s location, a suburb of Córdoba, could have
potentially buffered them from the consequences of urban life.