Trauma among early Californians

The incidence and distribution of trauma is examined in a large number of individuals from many burial sites in California. The material represents part of an on-going curational effort at the Lowie Museum of Anthropology. Trauma is confined to fractures, dislocations, and projectile wounds for the purposes of this study. Only antemortem fractures are considered. The findings suggest that most fracture were due to accidents, though several parry fractures are present. The functional results of healing do not warrant any conclusions as to the efficacy of treatment or lack thereof. Several projectile wounds are seen, some with evidence of healing. Presented in part at the 55th annual meeting of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, Albuquerque, New Mexico, April 1986.