Quantifying surface changes at the medial epicondyle: A novel approach to reconstruct past human activities
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1The medial epicondyle of the humerus is a crucial anatomical area for understanding past human activities, particularly those involving upper limb movements. This region serves as the attachment site for several muscles, ligaments, and tendons, making it susceptible to osseous alterations linked to strenuous activities such as overhead throwing or tool use. However, bioarchaeological studies face challenges because of the subjective nature of recording these changes, which limits large-scale comparisons. Here, a novel, non-invasive method is introduced that combines 3D imaging and topographical analysis to objectively quantify changes in the medial epicondyle. A semi-automatic cropping technique isolates the area of interest on which the analyses can be applied. The Georges Olivier collection (N=102) (Musée de l’Homme, MNHN, Paris) was used to correlate the observed surface changes with topographical indicators, allowing for a more detailed assessment than previously possible. With this method, the relationship between these changes and biological factors, such as sex, age-at-death, and stature, can be explored quantitatively. Beyond reconstructing physical activities, this technique can provide new insights into broader sociocultural phenomena, including sexual division of labour, craft specialisation, and subsistence strategies. Additionally, it opens the door to studying fragmented and commingled remains that are often excluded from traditional analyses.
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Elle Liagre, Sébastien Villotte et Christopher J. Knüsel, « Quantifying surface changes at the medial epicondyle: A novel approach to reconstruct past human activities », Bulletins et mémoires de la Société d’Anthropologie de Paris [En ligne], 37(S) | 2025, mis en ligne le 16 janvier 2025, consulté le 13 février 2025. URL : http://journals.openedition.org/bmsap/15118 ; DOI : https://doi.org/10.4000/133oy
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