Diet and nutrition of prehistoric populations at the alluvial banks of theParana River

This study attempts to characterize the health status and diet of prehistor ic populations (1 000-2 000 years BP), dwelling at both banks of Parana Riv er, between 29 degrees S and 32 degrees S. The data obtained suggest that t hese prehistoric populations had an adequate nutritional status, with compl ete proteins in the diet, as suggested by the ratio strontium/calcium in th eir bone mineral (0.71 +/- 0.04 mu g Srx1 000/mg Ca). The overall frequency of dental caries (4.%) coincides with that reported for hunters-gatherers. The average mineral densities of the tibiae of adult subjects exhumed at t wo sites (males: 1.51 +/- 0.07 gr/cm(2); females: 1.24 +/- 0.06 gr/cm(2)) s uggested that they had significant bone mass, an asset compatible with adeq uate nutrition. In metacarpals, the amount of cortical tissue also suggests bone mass comparable to contemporaneous controls. The growth and developme nt of the prehistoric populations studied are deemed normal as shown by the clear sexual dimorphism of their estimated heights at adult age (males: 17 7-183 cm; females 152-166 cm) and their bone mass.