A team of researchers is probing why some of the earliest Maori to settle in New Zealand were bigger and stronger than people living in Europe at that time, but had relatively short lives.
The scientists are investigating the extent to which infectious disease took a toll on the ancient Maori who settled on the Wairau Bar in Marlborough.
DNA analysis by Professor Lisa Matisoo-Smith may pin down which infectious diseases are implicated.
Research has suggested bones could respond in similar ways to numerous chronic conditions, and the DNA work may help identify which ones were at play in New Zealand's first humans 700 years ago.
Radiography studies, and computed tomography (CT scans) at Dunedin Hospital, will help in the diagnosis of some lesions on skulls and bones. An Otago University-led analysis of the human remains found in old archaeological excavations on the bar has already shown four men had bone lesions that give first evidence of gout among ancient Maori.
The co-ordinator of biological research on the koiwi tangata (human remains), Dr Hallie Buckley, said the settlers led vigorous lifestyles in a new, challenging environment.
"These were very muscular and strong Polynesian people who were generally healthy, but their demanding lifestyle took a toll on their health," she said.
Among the 41 sets of bones analysed, a lot of people had died in young adulthood.
"This suggests that the rigours of the environment left young people vulnerable to accidental death or health stresses during childhood that caused them to die earlier".
Difficult conditions had left markers on the development of teeth and bones, and there was also possible evidence of infectious diseases in the population, "but diagnosis of these will need to be confirmed by ancient DNA analyses".
There was little sign of dental caries, but tooth enamel was worn away - apparently by a diet heavy in gritty shellfish - that would have left people vulnerable to dental infections and tooth loss.
Dr Buckley noted the Maori who survived to adulthood included men whose skeletons were among the tallest found in prehistoric Polynesian populations. Other researchers have said the early settlers in NZ included men averaging 175cm tall and women estimated to be an average 163cm tall. Nothing had been found that contradicted earlier estimates that the early Maori settlers had an average likely lifespan at birth of 30, which rose to 45 years if they reached adulthood. Dr Fiona Petchey of Waikato University, is dating the bones. Stable isotope analysis of strontium levels in the tooth enamel may show where some people buried on the Wairau Bar originated: whether they were born in Polynesia, perhaps around the southern Cooks or the Marqueses and Society Islands, and voyaged to New Zealand.
"We expect the results later this year," said Dr Buckley.
"They may have direct links with Eastern Polynesians who in turn may have their roots in the Lapita people from western Polynesia," she told NZPA.
NZPA
source: newshub archive
