Ref ID:	19660
Ref Type:	BAR Section
Authors:	Clark, A. L. Tayles, N. Halcrow, S. E.
Title:	Sexual dimorphism in adult skeletal remains at Ban Non Wat, Thailand, during intensification of agriculture in early prehistoric Southeast Asia
Date:	2012
Source:	Proceedings of the Twelfth Anuual Conference of the British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology
Place of Publication:	Oxford
Publisher:	Archaeopress
Abstract:	Sexual dimorphism, the size and shape differences between males and females, is a useful measure of human biocultural adaptation. A decrease in population sexual dimorphism is generally associated with a shift to intensified subsistence practices. The extent to which the intensification of rice-based agriculture influenced the level of sexual dimorphism in Southeast Asia has received little attention. The large sample (N = 637) from Ban Non Wat, Thailand spans the period of the intensification of rice agriculture. This study aimed to use osteometric evidence to quantify the level of sexual dimorphism in this prehistoric community. This paper presents initial results from the earliest phases, the Neolithic and Early Bronze Age. Sixteen bilateral long bone dimensions were collected and stature estimated for male (n = 18) and female (n = 23) adult individuals. Sexual dimorphism was calculated and statistically compared across time periods. Results indicated a general increase in long bone dimensions and stature from the Neolithic to Early Bronze Age. A reduction in sexual dimorphism was a result of an increase in female body size. Contrary to previous research, these results did not support the hypothesis that males are more sensitive to environmental changes than females. These results are possibly an indication of a difference in nutritional status between males and females, improvement in female socio-cultural status, and/or female migration. Further stages of this research will incorporate a larger sample size and independent indicators of health status, to better understand the human biological adaptations of a rice-based agricultural community.
Date Created:	3/24/2014
Editors:	Mitchell, P. D. Buckberry, J. L.
Page Start:	17
Page End:	28