Dental insights into the biological affinities of the inhabitants of Gabati over a period of cultural transition

Abstract

• Gabati is located below the 5th Cataract of the Nile 40km north of Meroe, the capital of the Nubian empire from circa 300 BC–350 AD (Edwards, 2004). The cemetery at Gabati contains graves dating to the late Meroitic (c. 200BC – 200 AD), post-Meroitic (c. 550 - 700 AD), and Medieval periods (c. 900 – 1200 AD), and represents a rare example of a non-elite burial complex in the heart of the Meroitic empire (Edwards, 1998). The site provides a window into the changes that occurred before, during, and after the fall of the empire. Biodistance studies can enhance understanding of cemetery sites, providing an opportunity to see if cultural shifts are also accompanied with biological changes. Biological distance (biodistance) is a measure of biological divergence/relatedness within and between groups. Biodistance studies are based on morphological differences in the skeleton and dentition, both metric and non-metric, which have been found to be a good genetic proxy (Hefner et al., 2016). Recording skeletal collections in this manner is repeatable, cost effective and can be used when DNA is irretrievable, as has been the case in dry areas like the Nile Valley.