HELLENIC ARCHAEOMETRICAL SOCIETY

Archaeometrical and
archaeological research
in Macedonia and Thrace

PROCEEDINGS OF THE 2ND SYMPOSIUM - THESSALONIKI1996

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SKELETAL REMAINS FROM THE NEOLITHIC SITE OF

MAKRI - THRACE. A PRELIMINARY REPORT
1

A. AGELARAKIS and N. EFSTRATIOU 2

1 Department

Anthropology, Adelphi University, New York.

2 Department of Archaeology, University of Thessaloniki. Greece.

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INTRODUCTION

excavations conducted by the Archaeulogical Museu!!1 of Ko-

motini at the northeaslern coastal region of (In'ecc, 10 Km west of the modern town o/"
Alex<lnJrou]Jolis Ileal' thc village of Makri, hrought to light the remains of a prehistoric
settlement and a town of the historic period (Fig. I), The prehistoric occupatiPil of the

neolithic :.,ite of fvlakri which is dated to tile 5th millennium BC, the so-called lale neolithic

or

the Balkan area, has revealed undisturbed ncolithic deposits, rich architectural

reillains and, unique for the region, burial data (Kallindzi anu Efstratioll 199B, 499, Efstra-

tiou

595). The historic occllpa1io[], poss'lbly one of the Greek coas1al colon'les o/" Ae-

gean Thracl', has produced in1cfcsting archaeological finds of classical, hdknistic anJ
rOlllan pl'fiods (Kallindzi I<)W), 587).

11

Makri's natural environment represents an ecotone, one of the richer peri-coastal

catchment areas of this region settled by humans. Its long-term operational environment
(Butzer 1989) since the upper palaeolithic provided favorable biotic opportunities with
significant implications for pre-historic and historic human populations.

GOAL OF PROPOSED PROJECT

The scope of the Makri Anthropological Project (MAP), which is in its initial
slage, is to docuillent through deductive assessments the conditions of human adaptability
during the time periods between the upper palaeolithic and historical periods. The research <.Iesign of this project aims to provide, for the first time in the northeastern Greece,
a better, lIlore complete understanding of the regional archaeological record through the
integration

of

existing

archaeological

information

in

conjuction

with

archaeo-

anthropological and archaeometric data.

Interpretations of the archaeological record in the area (Efstratiou 1991) suggest
that population movements took place at certain junctures during these critical time periods. It is proposed that through the study of existing as well as potentially recoverable
human skeletal remains in future excavations at Makri, the project will provide critical.
new information, which will elucidate issues relative to the human bio-cultural adaptatioJls, with implications for social organization and complexity, and innovations and
modifications of technological systems used, changes that arc detectable in the skeletal
record.
In studing the skeletal remains of the prehistoric and historic population the
project will identify and describe by inspectional and mensurational analyses the individual manifestations of stress, which endure time as permanent markers On dry bone. The
reconstruction of ante morten conditions from the skeletons will require the classification
of all observable anthroscopic and mansurational manifestations under certain general
categories described below:
1) patterns of

I growth,

2) morphologies of dentitions,
3) morphologies of the cranial and post cranial skeletons,
4) pathogenesis of dental tissues,
5) pathogenesis of the cranial and post cranial skeletons,
6) trauma,
7) trains of epigenetic variation, and
8) markers of habitual and occupational stress.
In addition, chemical analyses through carbon radio-isotopic fractionation of
human bone will aid the process of determining the dietary patterns of this population.

12

r,
Further analysis of burial sediment samples which is under way will reveal microfloralpi! lacocilvirollmcnla I inr ormation.

The correla.ion of the osteometric, pathogenetic, and chemical data derived from
this research will provide invaluable new information for the comprehension and elucidatinn of numerous perspectives of the life conditions of this population as follows:
1)

palaeoenvironmental setting,

2) ecology of disease distribution: interrelations between nature, pathogen, vector, and

host (humans).
3) palacocpidcmiology,
4) shifts in dietary patterns which reflect 'on changes in technologies used, food production, perceived environments,
5) labour diversity between sex groups and/or socioeconomic groups,
6) livelihood of population while adjusting to changing environmental, and

lcchn{)I()gicai conditions,
7)

availability of cultural buffer mechanisms to buffer stress.

METHODS USED IN LABORATOR Y RESEARCH

Bone preservation
A comhination of taphonomic factors including the burial customs and practices,

the stratigraphic and contextual associations, as well as the sedimentological attributes of

the site might result to different degrees of preservation for the skeletal

involved.

Interments could he unearthed from individual graves, as well as collective graves, both as
primary and secondary burials. The skeletal collection, based on recovered specimens is
expected to be preserved in relatively good condition showing dental and cortical bone
surfaces adequate for an in depth analytical study as proposed by MAP.

Morphology
Morphology is the study of the structure and form of the human skeleton with
respect to the size and shape of each anatomical structure. Of great importance is the
total morphological pattern of these structures seen from a holistic perspective (Krogman

and Iscan 1986, Stewart 1979).

Anthroposcopic or inspectional analyses involve qualitative observations, such as
noting the degree of development of muscle attachments, and the size and form of teeth,
of bone and their processes. These traits will be scored on both nominal and or - dinal
scales for statistical evaluations.
Mcnsurational analyses involve quantitative assessments of skeletal structures

13

through direct measurements of bones and/or teeth. This type of analysis allows for observations to be scored on ratio scales for use in more powerful statistical techniques.
The

WCCl'SS

of any scientific investigation is related to the objectivity, validity

and reliability of its observations (Bordens and Abott 1991). Therefore, the Makri Project
will implement both Illdhods of analysis, that is, both the inspectional and the rnensurational. The latter method is Illost appropriate for thc use of powerful statistical tools, such
as 1l1ultivariate discrilllinant function <lnalysis (DiBennardo 1986, van Ark and Schaafsma
1991,220),

';urthcrmOfe, there is a very illlpnrtant, and often direct interrelationship between the factors of age, sex, growlh, and manifestations of stress, and/or pathogenesis
within a homogeneous popUlation (Krogman and [scan 1986, 259, Garn ot <II 1973, ElNorely ilnd !scan 19R9, Uhelakcr 1989). In light of the above, the Makri Project will have
to asses!:> information relative 10 age, and sex, prior to any further uetcflilinations pertaining to the

scope of this project.

General pathology
Dentitions will be stlldied as units of functional masticatory systems. Dental
eruption, growth and development, morphology, variation, use/wear patterns, and pathogenesis will be rL'searched. Biological processes and cultural activities used tu buffer stress
and disease. ilre also considered.
Dental enalllc! hypoplastic defects may be the result of heredity, focal trauma,
malnutrition and/or constitutional metabolic disturbances (Pindborg 1982). In this study,
non-localized hypoplastic defects will be llsed as chronological markers of impaired and
improved growth, as \vell as indicators oj" early systemic disturbances (Sarnat and SchouI'
1941, Swardstedt 1966).
The terms abrasioll}} and

arc generally llsed to donote the wear uf

dental surfaces (Klatsky 1939, Brothwell 1963, Pindbllrg 1970, Anderson 1967, Sognaes 1963).
Both terms imply a loss of tooth structure as: the result of frictional contact'. In order to
record dental dictnry or non-dietary wear patterns, the anterior (labial) teeth (incisors and
carine'S) will be evalliated as a separate group from the posterior (buccal) tceth (premolars
and lllolars) (Molnar 1971). Dental wear is described primarily as a direction of the occlus<ll
and/or incisal surface, and secondarily as a surface form.

Recording traits of non-metric (epigenetic) variation

Traits of skeletal

variation will be recorded and interpreted as mani-

festations caused by genetic, developmental and environmental factors (Berry and Berry
1967, hnnegan and

14

1974, Finnegan 1978, Saunders 1989).

r
Bone isotopic analysis
Carbon isotopic analyses of

bOilC

collagen/apatite of selected dental samples arc

in order to addrcs<; issues relative tu nutrition ano dietary patterns. For the

<lnalylie<d lllodel:; of carbon isotopic studies, sec Krueger and Sullivan (1984), and Krueger
( 1985)

Statistical data base analysis

All data \vill he recorded on hard copy files nnd entcreel into a Reflex uscrfriendly data base

for manipulation. Usc of databases is mandated for accurate

l'nntrol of investigations proposed by MA,P. Furthermore, this will allow for a better internet/bitnet comtllunications. Our results will be prescIlted, through the use of tile datahase, in both table f()rlllat and ill cOll1puter generated graphics.

THE FIRST RESULTS

During the 1991 excavation scasnJl threc ncn\ithic burials were fOLind undcr a
hOllse flnor in a close di:-lance frum the central storage area of the setllelllent (Fig. 1). It is
\vmth mcntioning that this find rcprcscnt the only cxample of neolithic burials from
[1nr1ilcastern (ircecl', Thc rest of the neolithic burals from llorthCfIl Greece

COllIe

from

the sites of Nl';) NikoInclicia (Rodden 1962:267) and Servia (Romiopoulou & Ridley
1972:27) in c(,ntral Macedonia. The human hodies - one uf them was found in excellent
condition - were btlI'jed in pits opened under the clay house floor. The best preserved
b()dy

WilS

lying

ill

a contracted position with the hands ncar the face and a flat stonc,

probably a grinding implement, resting on thc neck. Thc skull was facing south and the
whole body had

it

nnrthwest - southeast orientation; a fair amount of animal bones,

mainly jaws and seashclls were scattered around the body while a grave good in the form
uf a

round green stone

WilS

collected from the waist arca, The hurial is a primary

one and thcre are indications that the body was huried in [[ well prepared clay-lined area.
The two other burials were found at a very close distance from the first one Hnd
][\ conncction to anuther small shallow pit. The first skeleton was found inside the pit
with a flat stone positioned on its skull while a second skull was located just outside the
pit; thc pit contained probably the Illixcd hones or both burials. The chance of having a
double secondary burial vvhich in the case or neolithic Grecce is interpreted as a sign of
mortuary ritual, is very strong indeed (Jacobsen & Cullen

The character or this

burial grollnd at the centre of the Makri settlement is not clear since the area has not yet
heen fLilly excavated,
The prcliminary anthropological forensic examinations of the skeletal collection
revcaled three individuals as already mentioned which unfurtunately arc represented by

15

incomplete skeletal structures (see Table No I).

Field Cetalog No 1.
This individual is represented by the following skeletal structures:

I. Cranial structures
a) Several fragments of the vault showing suturaleal ends,
b) Bilateral preservation of" temporals with petrous bones,
c) Base of skull i:-. represented, however fragmented,
d) Fragment of the sphenoid bone,
e)

Facial skeleton is well preserved with the exception of the nasal bones: frontal bone
with orbital roofs (left side fragmented), both zygomatics, maxilla complete with
dentitions ill situ, lIwmIibula wilh dentitions in situ, however fragmented left ramw:

lL Dental material
All permanent teeth were erupted with the exception of the third permanent
molars, retained in the alveOli, uwed to incomplete dental development conducive to age.

III. Post cranial skeleton'

Both axial and appendicular post cranial structures arc represented. hom the
axial post cranial skeleton the vertebral column is represented by the 1st, 2nd, 4th cervical
and the 1st lumhar, as well as three upper sacral vertebrae. The bones of the innominate
arc represented by all components showing bilateral unossified iliac bones to the fused

structures. \Vhile the rib case and scapulae were represented by both right

and left structures, the sICrI1l1lJ] ilnd clt1vicu/llc were missing. The apPUJ(Jicular skeleton
showed a nearly complete representation of both upper and lower diaphyses. Absence, or
incomplete ossification of epiphyseal components augmented to the fragmentation and
deterioration of proximal and dis!nl ends of the tubular bones, owed to taphonomic conditions. BOlles of the feet were nearly complete, unlike the bones of the hands which were
oldy

by phal.anges.

IV. Sex and age assessments

Based on the skeletal morphocharacteristics, the degree of skeletal maturation
and biolog.il'al dl'vclopmcllt it was assessed this individllal represents a female within the

late InLlIlcy II age group, SI1l'cifically, younger than 11 to 12 ycnrs of age at the time of
death.

V. Manifestations of pathogenesis and c{>nditions of stress

A clear case of crihril orhitillia was diaLllOsec] with implications for the presence

16

nf hCllwpoietic, and/or dietary-metabolic disorders. There was, however, no

diploic expansion, nor any detectable porotic hyperostosis, as far as allowed by the incomplete state of preservation of the cranial vault. Therefore, competing explanatory
hypotheses for differential diagnosis might include a case of parasitic infestation as well
II is expected tila( in the future, a population approach would certainly provide for com-

parative material and the llloSt appropriate context for determinations of a disease specifIC ecoillgy.

VL Non-metric epigenetic l{ariation

The foramina slJprt1orbj/ai/a were scored as open. The maxillary first molars
SilOWl'd two variatons of the expression form for the trait of Carabelli, namely a depression for the right side and a cusp for the left counterpant.

Field Catalog No 2.
This individual is represented by the following skeletal structures:

L Cranial structures
A single cranial vault fragment showing suturaleal ends.

IL Post cranial structures

Both axial post cranial and appendicular skeletal strustures were preserved. Axial
post cranial remains were limited to the fragmented right ilium, showing the acetahular
region, ullossified however, with the hetter preserved but incomplete pubico-ischial fused
.<;,tructurc. Tile appendicular skeleton was limited to the well preserved diaphyses of the
fCll1mae, tihiae, fihulae and several of their identified epiphyses, the right patella, as well
as the incomplete remains of the hands and feet.

lIL Sex and age assessments

Based nn the degree of skeletal maturation, ossification and biological developlllent it was assessed this skeleton represents an individual of indeterminate sex at a
transitional stage oj' age groups between late Infancy I[ and Puherty. The latter falls
within the age group of Juveniles. Considering the fact that females lllature biologically
earlicr than males, ill an anticipated case of a female sex deterlllination the age assesslIlPllt for (ilis individual could be tied down between 11 and 12 years of age, while in a case
of a Illak assessment the age indications would reflect an age at death between 12 to 14

of age.

Field Catalog No 3
This individual is represented by the following skeletal structures:

17

L Cranial remains
An incomplete calvariulll.

IL Sex and age assessments

Based

Oil

the tllorphocharactcristics, and the degree of development and ossifica-

tion of the calvarium it could nnly be suggested it represents a female individual \vithin
the late subadllit age group, namely between 16-Hs years or age <It the time of death.

Final Remark
Makri's research design proposes a holistic archaeoanthropolugical approach,
necessary before deriving a synthesis of the archaeological record. Furthermore, this projed will be

<Ill

epiphany of its kind for both its integrated methodology, and the interdis-

ciplinary interrelatinl1ships it achieved. The knowledge gained as a result of this project,

will complement the studies of other archaeological working with comparali'\.'c data from
prehistoric sites in Greece, Bulgaria, Anatolia, Lebanon, Cyprus, Israel and the Delt<l of
Egypt. Further the results of the Makri Project will be very useful for other specialists:
historians, cultural anthropologists, palaeobotanists, and palaeoenvironmentalisls.

Table No 1. Anlhropologicalmatcri<.lI, site of Makri.

NMV

Field
Catalog
Number

Age
Asses

Age group
Category

Sex
Asses

Skeletal
Preserva tion

Pathologies

<11-12

Infancy

Female

Cranial

Systemic

Yes

Years

11

Absence (@)

No (@)

Absence (@)

No (@)

(*)

Dental
& Infra

Cranial
B

11-14
Years

Inrancy

Indeter

Cranial,

II-Juvenile

minate

Infra
Cranial

16-18

Suhadult

Female

Cranial

Years

Note:

(*) NMV =-= Non Metric Variation, or markers of epigenetic variation;

(@) = incomplete skeletal record.

18

Fig. 1: Neolithic Burials at Makri.

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----

-------..

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21