PURSE 1996

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Browsing PURSE 1996 by Author "Chandrasekara, M. S."

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    Aging and Sexing of Skeletal finds
    (University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 1996-08-10) Chandrasekara, M. S.; Wikramanayake, E. R.
    The aging and sexing of two 12th century skeletons excavated in 1993 in Alahana Pirivena site in Polonnaruwa form the basis of the study. Skeleton No. 1 was of an individual of 5' 1/2" in length as measured in situ. Epiphyseal lines were seen in the partly fused upper and lower ends of the upper ann and forearm bones. The spheno-occipital synchondrosis was present. All maxillary and mandibular teeth were present with partly erupted third molars. With this, the age range can be limited to 16 - 18 years for a female and 18 - 20 years for a male. The muscle markings on the bones were not prominent. The sacrum showed the auricular surface extending up to 2 112segments suggesting that it is more likely to be a male. Skeleton No.2 was that of a heavily built individual. The saggital and coronal sutures of the skull were fused but the occipital and temporal sutures were partly fused. The premolar and molar teeth in both jaws showed attrition and exposure of dentine. From this data, the age of this individual was estimated to be around 55 years or more. Both the prominent muscle markings on bones and the prominent superciliary ridges indicate that this individual is a male.
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    Anthropometry of Veddas of Dambana
    (University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, 1996-08-10) Wikramanayake, E. R.; Chandrasekara, M. S.
    Fourteen anthropometric measurements were made of the Veddas of Dambana in 1994/1995 using the same standard equipment and the same observers as in the study of the Hennanigala Veddas in 1993/1994. The results of the young adults of both sexes of the age range 22 - 35 years from the two studies were compared. No significant differences were found in twelve of the measurements in the females and ten in the males although all measurements were larger in the Dambana Veddas. Head circumference and sitting height were significantly different in the females (p <0.001 and p <0.05 respectively.) Head circumference, foot length, span and bicondylar diameter were significantly different in the males (p <0.05, P <0.02, P <0.01 and p <0.05 respectively). The results obtained for Dambana Veddas of both sexes were compared with 7 anthropometric measurements of Sinhalese undergraduates done in 1992. The differences in all parameters - height, sitting height, head length, head breadth, head circumference, bicondylar diameter and facial height were highly significant in the males (p <0.001). In the females, height, sitting height and facial height were not significantly different. The significant differences in morphometric traits between the Sinhalese and Veddas as reported from data of the National Ethnological Survey of 1936/1937 were still observed.