Research Article

Pronounced bilateral asymmetry of the complete upper extremity: a case from the early Neolithic Baikal, Siberia

  1. A. R. Lieverse1,†,*,
  2. M. A. Metcalf2,
  3. V. I. Bazaliiskii3,
  4. A. W. Weber2

Article first published online: 30 OCT 2007

DOI: 10.1002/oa.935

Issue

International Journal of Osteoarchaeology

International Journal of Osteoarchaeology

Volume 18, Issue 3, pages 219–239, May/June 2008

Additional Information

How to Cite

Lieverse, A. R., Metcalf, M. A., Bazaliiskii, V. I. and Weber, A. W. (2008), Pronounced bilateral asymmetry of the complete upper extremity: a case from the early Neolithic Baikal, Siberia. Int. J. Osteoarchaeol., 18: 219–239. doi: 10.1002/oa.935

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Anthropology, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John's NL, Canada, A1C 5S7

  2. 2

    Department of Anthropology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB, Canada, T6G 2H4

  3. 3

    Department of Archaeology and Ethnography, Irkutsk State University, Irkutsk, Russia, 664003

  1. †

    Department of Archaeology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5B1.

*Department of Archaeology, 55 Campus Drive, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada S7N 5B1.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 28 APR 2008
  2. Article first published online: 30 OCT 2007
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 14 MAY 2007
  4. Manuscript Revised: 26 FEB 2007
  5. Manuscript Received: 11 OCT 2006

Funded by

  • Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Grant Numbers: 421-2000-1000, 421-2006-1000, 752-2000-0375

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Keywords:

  • humerus;
  • upper limb;
  • brachial plexus;
  • brachial palsy;
  • paralysis;
  • atrophy;
  • hypotrophy

Abstract

An adult male skeleton from the early Neolithic cemetery of Shamanka II on the south coast of Lake Baikal (Siberia, Russia) presents one of most striking examples of upper limb bilateral asymmetry documented without obvious indicators of skeletal pathology or trauma to the afflicted arm. The condition is noteworthy not only for its severity, with asymmetry values as high as 89.5%, but also for its involvement of the whole upper extremity, from clavicle to manual phalanges. The lack of any demonstrable hypertrophy on the unaffected left arm, and the clear evidence of extensive hypotrophy/atrophy on the right, leave little doubt that this asymmetry has a pathological or traumatic basis rather than a functional (activity-induced) one. It most likely reflects paralysis or paresis of the entire right arm resulting from complete brachial palsy incurred prior to the attainment of skeletal maturity in that limb. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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