Diet and nutrition of prehistoric populations at the alluvial banks of the Paraná river

RESUMO

This study attempts to characterize the health status and diet of prehistotic populations (1000-2000 years BP), dwelling at both banks of Parana River, between 29ºS and 32ºS. The data obtained suggest that these prehistoric populations had an adequate nutritional status, with complete proteins in the diet, as suggested by the ratio strontium/calcium in their bone mineral (0.71 + 0.04 mug Srx1000/mg Ca). The overall frequency of dental caries (4.9 percent) coincides with that reported for hunters-gatherers. The average mineral densities of the tibiae of adult subjects exhumed at two sites (males: 1.51 + 0.07 gr/cm2; females: 1.24 + 0.06 gr/cm2) suggested that they had significant bone mass, an asset compatible with adequate nutrition. In metacarpals, the amount of cortical tissue also suggests bone mass comparable to contemporaneous controls. The growth and development of the prehistoric populations studied are deemed normal as shown by the clear sexual dimorphism of their estimated heights at adult age (males: 177-183 cm; females 152-166 cm) and their bone mass.