Elucidating inequality in Nubia: An examination of entheseal changes at Kerma (Sudan)

摘要: Located 10 km south of the Third Cata- ract Nile River, ancient city Kerma was once capital to second largest state in Africa. The Eastern Cemetery at (4 east center) encompasses 801 hectares and used over a period 1,500 years (3,200-1,500 BC). Excavated early 20th century by George Reisner, cemetery contained an estimated 20,000-40,000 individuals. Reisner classi- fied these burials into multiple categories, including chiefs human sacrifices, based on burial position grave goods. This study investigates skeletal embodiment social inequality examining variation entheseal severity between classifications. Seventeen entheses were examined using Hawkey Merbs (1995) scoring method (n 5 205 individuals); age, sex, body size variables con- sidered employing Mann-Whitney U tests partial Spearman's correlations. analysis suggests that sig- nificant differences changes existed select types. Specifically, "corridor sac- rifices" had significantly higher rates while "chiefs" "subsidiary burials" simi- lar changes; furthermore, within males scores despite controls. elevated sacrificial may be due intensive agro- pastoral lifestyle or other demanding forms manual labor. In conclusion, disparity markers subgroups might reflect degree this level society. bioarchaeological research informs our understand- ing socially-defined categories persons as well everyday life Ancient Kerma. Am J Phys Anthropol