Thesis Defense: Linear Enamel Hypoplasia and Nutrition at Santa Rita Corozal, Belize
HPH 409M November 5, 2009
08:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Announcing the Final Examination of Andrew Tetlow for the degree of Master of Arts in Anthropology.
This thesis will analyze dentition collected from the Postclassic Maya site of Santa Rita Corozal in Northern Belize. The goal of this study is to determine what the presence of Linear Enamel Hypoplasia (LEH) can demonstrate about the level of nutrition and social status of a single subset of the Late Postclassic Maya living at Santa Rita Corozal during this time period. Specifically, this thesis will focus on dentition collected from thirteen individuals from a large Postclassic platform group. The sample consists of sub-adult and adult female dentition from individuals that are associated with the same relative time period (Late Postclassic), although there is some slight variation.
Some of these remains are also associated with ritual activity and there is a slight correlation between this ritual activity and the presence of LEH. The preponderance of female and sub-adult remains also makes this platform group excellent for sampling LEH due to the fact that hypoplasias present during the formation of enamel in sub-adults and females. These samples will also be compared to other similar studies involving LEH throughout the Maya area, in both similar and dissimilar environments.
Faculty and Staff 
Thesis Defense: Linear Enamel Hypoplasia and Nutrition at Santa Rita Corozal, Belize
