Life, Health and Death in the Steppe: A Bioarchaeological Study of Bronze Age and Iron Age Pastoralist Populations of the Volga—Don Region, Russia

Abstract

Major socio-economic, political and climatic changes have shaped the Eurasian steppe region during the Bronze and Iron Ages (3rd millennium BC—4th century AD), yet little is known about the bio-cultural impacts of these permutations on the life, health and death of the pastoralist populations who inhabited this area. This research represents the first attempt to adopt a holistic approach that includes osteoarchaeology, palaeopathology and environmental data to explore the evolution of the health status, diet, and lifestyles of these prehistoric pastoralist communities in the Volga–Don steppe region. The analysis of 385 skeletons derived from 155 kurgans suggests that, despite changes in pastoral mobility and sedentary lifestyles, there was no major change in the diet of Bronze and Iron Age populations, and children from the different cultures were exposed to various stressors. Evidence of interpersonal violence was observed in both the Bronze and Iron Age groups. A diversification of injuries and the appearance of conditions that were almost absent during the Bronze Age indicate that the overall health of Iron Age populations may have deteriorated. Various levels of health-related care to people with disabling diseases and severe injuries, and evidence of surgery, provide insights into the social dimensions of care among these prehistoric pastoralist societies.