Greek colonial expansion: impacts on Illyrian physical activities
Date
2016
Authors
Wright, Jennifer, author
Magennis, Ann, advisor
Van Buren, Mary, committee member
Lacy, Michael, committee member
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract
As countries conquer and colonize new territories, their level of exploitation tends to coincide with how indigenous populations are used. However, this level of exploitation is wholly dependent upon local technology and colonial policies. Colonial research in the Americas indicates that after the colonial conquest, native inhabitants' lives were impacted negatively due to changes in health and diet (Klaus et al., 2009; Larsen, 1987; 1994; Larsen et al., 2001). I hypothesize that a similar situation may have taken place during the Hellenistic expansion into Illyria (modern Albania). This research will test the null hypothesis that physical activity levels, as evidenced by osteoarthritis in human skeletons, remained constant at Epidamnus, and Apollonia, Albania during Greek colonial expansion (620 BCE-229 BCE). To test this hypothesis, I examined skeletal remains for severity and prevalence of osteoarthritis among ancient Illyrians and their Corinthian colonizers. In an effort to test these differences between pre- and post-colonial populations a comparison is made between males and females. In addition, adults were differentiated from one another by age groups consisting of Young adults (18-34), Middle-age adults (35-49), and Older adults (50+). These skeletal remains come from precolonial sites that include Lofkënd, Corinth, and Apollonia, along with the postcolonial sites of Corinth, Apollonian, and Epidamnus.
Description
Rights Access
Subject
colonization
osteoarthritis
Illyria