Skeletal Evidence for Population Change in the Late Holocene of the South-Western Cape: A Radiological Study

[Archaeological and isotopic studies of prehistoric coastal populations from the south-western Cape indicate that marked dietary changes took place about 2000 years ago. In this study we have examined a diachronic series of human remains, spanning the past 4000 years from this region, in order to determine if these changes are reflected in the human skeleton. Specifically, we have examined bone mass and long bone morphometry. The results show a trend towards increased bone mass and stature in the post-2000 BP specimens. These data are not consistent with dietary stress but rather suggest a change in the genetic composition of south-western Cape populations.]