Talk by SOAN Prof. Daniel Temple

Evidence for Life History Trade-offs among Late/Final Jomon Period Foragers Using Incremental Microstructures of Enamel

Thursday, October 2, 2014 3:15 PM to 4:30 PM EDT
Johnson Center, C

Abstract: There are two hypotheses that evaluate the human response to early-life stressors. The plasticity/constraint hypothesis predicts that the human response to early-life stress reflects plasticity in the ability to reallocate energetic resources and survive the event, but constraint in future allocations of energetic reserves to growth and maintenance occur. The predictive adaptive response hypothesis argues that individuals who survive early-life stress experience physiological changes that increase the chances of surviving future stress events. This study used linear enamel hypoplasia (LEH), a dental indicator of growth disruption, and incremental microstructures of enamel to explore these two hypotheses. The study found that early-life stress events were associated with a greater risk of future LEH formation and earlier ages at death. The results support the plasticity/constraint hypothesis. Late/Final Jomon period people were able to survive early-life stress events, but these individuals experienced more growth disruptions and had exacerbated mortality schedules. These findings indicate that the physiological response of Jomon people to stress events appears to be patterned within the context of developmental experience.