Análisis de lesiones osteoarticulares apendiculares en restos humanos del centro-norte de Mendoza

Osteoarthrosis (OA) is one of the most common pathological conditions recorded in skeletal series. Twenty-four individuals from archaeological sites from Center-North region of Mendoza (Argentina), to late Holocene were analyzed, with the aim to study the presence of OA in the appendicular skeleton. For this, it was evaluated the frequency of lesions related to sex, age, chronology and geographical origin of the skeletons. The preliminary results showed a total prevalence of 58.3% of appendicular OA. No significant differences were observed between sexes and ages, although some joins, as shoulder and elbow seems to be more affected in men. No clear relationship between agriculturalist economy and OA were recorded in this particular sample. Nevertheless, more frequent of degenerative changes were registered in higher limbs anda decrease in lower limbs. Future analyses are necessary to test these preliminary hypotheses.