Kosasar, an ancient population from the eastern Aral region: palaeodemography, osteometry, growth arrest

For the skeletal population from the III c. BC to the I c. AD from Kosasar- 2 in the eastern Aral region (74 individuals) a prelimanary analysis has be en conducted. The demographic structure of this group is characterized by a predominance of males, a small number of children and juveniles and an abs ence of older males. Male osteometrical parameters indicate robustness of t hr skeletons similar to the nomads of the Eurasian steppes. The long bone m acrorelief is stronger on the upper limb bones than on che lower ones. The high frequency of features of growth disruption - Harris lines in males 76 and females 78%, enamel hypoplasia in males 76 and females 85% - indicates a high load of unspecific episodic stress during the growth stage of the ch ildren in Kosasar-2.