Asian Journal of Paleopathology Vol.4
Received: January 28, 2022
Accepted: February 7, 2022
DOI: 10.32247/ajp2022.4.3

Original Article
Regional differences in the frequency of cribra orbitalia in the Japanese Jomon period
Hisashi Fujita, Satoshi Nishizawa

Abstract
　Cribra orbitalia (CO) is a stress marker that is often investigated in the field of paleopathology. Its cause is thought to be iron deficiency anemia associated with malnutrition. In this study, the authors examined the frequency of CO among human skeletal remains from 26 Jomon period sites in the Tohoku, Kanto, Tokai, and Chugoku regions of Japan. Ryan’s multiple comparison method showed a significant difference in CO frequency between the Tohoku and Chugoku regions and between the Kanto and Chugoku regions. The analysis also showed significant differences in CO incidence between the Tohoku and Tokai regions and between the Kanto and Tokai regions. There was no significant difference in the frequency of CO appearance by region. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the appearance of CO between male and female. Future studies will clarify the cause of the high frequency of CO in Tokai and Chugoku regions from the perspective of food quality analysis and average life expectancy.

Key words
Cribra orbitalia, Jomon, regional difference, multiple comparison method, Japan