Anthropology 275       Reading Report 20
Disease in Prehistory       Due: 12/01-2007

Answer the following questions based on the paper by Robb J, Bigazzi R, Scarsini C, Sonego F. 2001. Social "status" and biological "status": a comparison of grave goods and skeletal indicators from Pontecagnano. Am J Phys Anthropol 115:213-222.

1. Describe the location, antiquity, and archaeological background of the Pontecagnano collection. What level of political organization is represented by Pontecagnano cemetery?
2. Explain the difference between social status and biological status.
3. What archaeological indicators were used to infer the social status of each individual? 4. Which skeletal indicators bore clear relationship to social status and which did not? What are some possible explanations for the lack of clear correspondence between the skeletal health indicators and social status?