Everyday activities of the Basandaika culture people (based on anthropological materials from burial ground Sanatornyi-3)

Purpose. The article aims at analyzing anthropological data and archaeological information devoted to the features of economic activity of the Basandaika culture population using the materials from the burial ground Sanatornyi-3. We have studied osteological and odontological materials in particular. In addition, we analyzed the archaeological context and studied the archaeological literature devoted to the mode of life and activities of the Basandaika population. The main goal of the work is to characterize the osteological and odontological data available in order to describe everyday life activities of the population that left the burial ground Sanatornyi-3. Results. We examined various markers of physical activity left in the sites of muscle and ligament attachments and evaluated the state of the articular surfaces on the bones of the postcranial skeleton in order to identify the most stereotyped movements. Muscles with a similar type of attachment to the bones were chosen for the analysis to avoid an unequal numerical estimate (mm. Deltoideus, pectoralis major, biceps brachii, triceps brachii, brachialis, supinator, obturatorius externus, iliopsoas, gluteus maximus, soleus, quadriceps, and muscules of the posterior group located on the rough femur line). The ligaments selected for analysis included ligg. сostoclaviculare, coracoclaviculare, iliofemorale, and interosseous membranes of the forearm and lower leg (membrana interossea antebrachii et cruris). To obtain the most complete picture of the movements, we analyzed the surfaces of the following joints: sternoclavicular, shoulder, elbow, distal radiolucent, wrist, hip, knee and ankle. We assessed the degree of severity (robusticity) of the relief of the sites of muscle and ligament attachment, the presence or absence of osteophytes and signs of osteolysis. Also, we analyzed the pathological status of the dental system, which helps to characterize the diet of the population under study, including the markers of permanent stress (e.g., caries, periodontal disease, tartar, apical abscess) and episodic trouble (e.g., linear enamel hypoplasia). Caries appeared due to excessive consumption of rationed food in the diet; periodontal disease and dental plaque show a great deal of mechanical stress on the chewing apparatus and a low level of hygiene of the oral cavity; apical abscess could be caused by bacteria penetrating from the periodontal area into the bone tissue; enamel hypoplasia appeared as a result of the acute starvation or vitamin D deficiency. Conclusion. The dietary strategy of the population of the Basandaika culture, who left the burial mound Sanatornyi-3, was quite complex with a lot of plants as the main component and some protein-containing products that they consumed due to cattle raising. We noticed an evident food stress, which was especially evident in women, that might be explained by a loss of cattle followed by starvation or decreasing cattle raising in favor of primitive crop farming. Men were active in archery, horse riding and grass mowing, while women used to work with their arms and wrists, apparently processing food and sewing clothes. The osteological and odontological results obtained serve as an important addition to archaeological data for the reconstruction of the way of life and economic activities of the ancient population.