Thesis (Ph.D.) - Cairo University - Institute of African Research and Studies - Department of Anthropology

The present study assessed the health challenges facing the people of Dakhleh during the Late period and hence recognizing their ability to adapt to their desert environment. The skeletal sample consisted of 104 fairly complete adult skeletons, excavated from the Ein Tirghi cemetery, Dakhleh Oasis. The sample dated back to the Late period, spanning the period from the 21th Dynasty up to the 27th Dynasties (1070 {u2013} 404 BC). The sample was divided into 57 males and 47 females, and as for age groups, the sample was divided into 38 young adults (18-34 years), 23 middle adults (35-50 years), and 43 old adults (50+ years). Macroscopic examination of osseous markers of physiological stress was used as an investigative tool. In addition, a comparison of the present study results to those of previous literature on Dakhleh was carried out in order to determine the paleoepidemiology of the several pathological conditions present at Dakhleh. Although skeletal evidences showed that the people of Dakhleh during the Late period 'Ein Tirghi people' were subjected to consistent periods of health stress, the analysis of those pathologies including anemia, infection, trauma, and osteoarthritis revealed that those people were well adapted to their desert environment in spite of the supposed environmental hostility of the western desert. Moreover, the observed high frequencies of some developmental defects reflected endogamy pattern of marriage and provide support for the supposition of relatedness and kinship relationships between Dakhleh Oasis people during the Late period. As for neoplastic diseases, only four cases of benign tumors were documented

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