Some pathological and other conditions observed among the human remains from a prehistoric Ethiopian cemetery in the Southern Sudan / [M.B. Ray and L.H.D. Buxton].

  • Ray, Matthew B. (Matthew Burrow), 1870-
Date:
1914
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Licence: In copyright

Credit: Some pathological and other conditions observed among the human remains from a prehistoric Ethiopian cemetery in the Southern Sudan / [M.B. Ray and L.H.D. Buxton]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    let us try briefly to reconstruct the mode of life of the early inhabitants of Gebel Moya. Numerous stone implements have been discovered, a large number of which are probably contemporary with the graves: These are mostly similar to those that would in Europe be called neolithic, and many exhibit considerable skill in the working and polishing of granite. An extensive range of pottery, from very primitive to fine fabrics of beautiful types, has also been abundantly discovered. The people possessed ivory and ostrich eggs and made decorative lip-studs out of pottery and stone, sometimes wearing as many as seven in one lip. Special stress must be laid on this latter custom, as the wearing of lip- studs has considerable effect on the teeth. Fig. 2. So much then for general conditions. There are two special conditions, i.e. conditions which apply in particular to this cemetery, which must now be dealt with. First, in regard to date. Until the excavations are com¬ pleted and the results fully studied, it is difficult at present to come to any definite conclusion on this point, but it is at least certain, from clearly datable evidence of objects found near the surface of the upper strata, that the latest of the burials can be dated about 700 b.c., and, from the fact that bodies are found in various lower strata to considerable depths, we may presume many of the bodies are of very remote antiquity (Fig. 2). Secondly, a noticeable feature of the bodies found is the large predominance of the females over the males; we have, however, dis¬ covered a sufficiently large number of males as to preclude the idea of a female cemetery. The explanation of this curious fact is uncertain; possibly wars may have been responsible for the destruction of the males away from home. The pathology of the teeth of our specimens is of considerable interest. First, in regard to periodontal disease. We are very much indebted to Mr. F. J. Collier for his suggestions and help. Following Mr. Collier’s
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