Bone trauma and interpersonal care among Late Holocene hunter-gatherers from Patagonia, Argentina.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the social implications of traumatic injuries in non-sedentary hunter-gatherers by analysing osteological remains through models based on the Bioarchaeology of Care.

MATERIALS: Human skeletal remains from North Patagonia (Late Holocene). 3179 anatomical elements from 189 individuals of both sexes and different age categories.

METHODS

Macroscopic analysis of all bones to identify two injury types (dislocations and fractures) to apply the Index of Care to each case.

RESULTS

About 20 % of individuals suffered injuries, mostly mild, requiring short-term care. Severe cases needed intensive care, likely disrupting the normal routines of daily life in the group.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite logistical costs and disabilities that led, in some cases, to social reorganisation of daily or planned activities, these groups ensured their peers' survival and recovery through care.

SIGNIFICANCE: The Index of Care was expanded by defining categories based on care intensity, applicable to any context, and offers new information about interpersonal care in Patagonia.

LIMITATIONS: Only osteological remains are available to assess interpersonal care.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Incorporate other pathological conditions (e.g., bone infections) and more samples on a larger spatial-temporal scale to evaluate interpersonal care in the region.