ИСТИНА

During the last few years, extensive anthropological research of Early and Middle Bronze Age skeletons of the steppe and piedmont area of the Northern Caucasus has been undertaken. Altogether 167 individuals from 13 different burial sites dating from 4200- 2100 BC have been investigated with the use of macroscopic and optical-microscopic techniques as well as plain radiography and tomography. This contribution focuses on type, state of healing and frequency of fractures in different parts of the skeletons of 90 males, 26 females and 13 individuals of indeterminable sex. 44 of the adolescent and adult skeletons belong to the Early Bronze Age, 85 skeletons to the Middle Bronze Age. People are supposed to have been engaged in animal husbandry. For the assumed harsh living conditions coming along with early domestication of animals, animal husbandry, and mobile lifestyle, the fracture frequency is surprisingly low. The observed fracture pattern suggests accidents during work, but more frequently interpersonal combat e.g. fist fighting. Age and sex seemed to play an important role in the distribution of fractures. The most frequent fractures already occur in the youngest age group, but accumulate during life. Females had less severe fractures than males. There is a higher frequency of fractures in people of the Early compared to the Middle Bronze Age, possibly due to a more dangerous lifestyle (domestication of animals, their adaption to wagons, metal processing). Fractures of the skeleton are an archive of traumatic stress people accumulate during life and can shed light on their occupation and life style.