Work

A case of bipartite patella and vastus notch from Kneževići hillfort - Malo Libinje, Croatia

Year: 2021

Type: article

Abstract: Here we present six adult patellae with superolateral concave defects observed amongst the remains of at least 28 individuals retrieved from four Late Iron Age burials from Kneževići hillfort - Malo Libinje, Croatia. The right patella of an adult individual displays a rough-edged concave defect on superolateral side of the bone called bipartite patella. Other five patellae show concave defects with smooth edges also located on superolateral side; a defect known as vastus notch. Though physically similar, the two conditions are etiologically distinct. A large amount of observed cases of vastus notch in this assemblage may indicate that these individuals frequently performed activities involving kneeling and/or squatting. This is the first documented case of joint occurrence of bipartite patella and vastus notch in a Croatian skeletal assemblage, but also the largest amount of patellae with vastus notch in an archaeological population from Croatia recorded so far.

Source: Journal of bioanthropology

DOI: 10.54062/jb.1.1.6

Authors: Barbara Kriletić, Morana Vuković, Mario Carić

Institutions: Arheološki muzej Zadar, Institute for Anthropological Research

Language: English

Topic: Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies

Subfield: Archeology (arts and humanities)

Field: Arts and Humanities

Domain: Social Sciences

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Hrvatska Zaklada za Znanost

Awards: G3166776780, Reconstructing prehistoric (Neolithic to Bronze Age) lifestyles on the territory of Croatia – a multidisciplinary approach