Faculty of Health Sciences
School of Medicine
Department of Anatomy
Selected Highlights from Research Findings
The Second Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) Concentration Camp at Doornbult, close to Orange River Station in the Northern Cape Province, is one of the best preserved but also possibly one of the least known Camps from this War. The history of the Concentration Camp at Doornbult is represented by two phases. At first the camp was under military control and was not well appointed or administered. Many people are known to have died during this phase and were possibly buried in graves outside the formal cemetery. It was only after the camp was placed under civil control (the second distinct phase of its existence) that a formal cemetery was laid out and burial took place in an organized way. In total there are in excess of 422 graves at Doornbult. Apart from six recorded names and a single British reference to three deaths that might have been buried outside the formal cemetery, there is very little historical evidence as to the burial of people who died during the first phase of the existence of the Camp. Structures outside the cemetery have been interpreted as 68 graves (three of which were thought to be multiple, or mass-, burials). A number of these “graves” were indicated to occur in the adjacent property. In 2007 fieldwork by the Orange River Camps Archaeological Project of the Heritage Foundation investigated these structures with the aim of studying the remains and then relocating the burials to the formal cemetery.
Archaeological excavations and survey indicated that 17 graves occur outside the formal cemetery. Evidence, such as the size and layout of the graves and tool marks in the burial pits, indicate that these were formal, or organized, burials. It presently remains unknown why these burials are located outside of the formal cemetery. No evidence for the existence of mass graves at Doornbult Concentration Camp was found. The assumed presence of mass graves can possibly be ascribed to an over interpretation of scant historical facts in order to explain the absence of burials from the first phase of the Camp.
Contact person: Prof M Steyn.
During April 1999 the mummified remains of a San hunter-gatherer were found in a rock shelter in the foothills of the Kouga Mountains near Joubertina in the Langkloof region, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. Not only was the body remarkably well-preserved, but the find also generated much interest from local community groups and the media. After lengthy negotiations between Khoe-San community leaders and the Eastern Cape Provincial Government, the remains were removed and transported in toto to the AlbanyMuseumto be studied. Owing to the sensitive nature of human remains, these remains will not be displayed and local communities will determine their final destiny. Mummified and desiccated human remains are valuable sources of information on past lifestyles, diet and health. Much research has been conducted on remains that were either mummified as a result of human intervention (Egyptian mummies) or naturally/spontaneously mummified remains (the Ice Man of the Alps). Research possibilities involving mummies are numerous, and include specialized investigations such as histological analysis of various body tissues including immunohistochemistry, computer tomography, isotopic analysis for dietary reconstruction and analysis of the content of the gastrointestinal tract. The aim of this analysis is to provide a basic description of the remains, including age and sex. Gross morphological characteristics were therefore observed, and where possible standard anthropometric measurements were taken The remains were found against the back wall of a large rock shelter in a grave hollow some 0.80 metres deep. A large flat stone with San paintings marked the position of the body. Underlying the painted stone were two layers of sticks, leaves and branches. The body was buried in the traditional flexed position, lying on its left side, orientated with the head in an easterly direction and facing the back wall. Most of the body, between the pelvis and the skull was covered with a thick layer of leaves from the medicinal plant Boophane disticha (gifbol, poisonous bulb or izchwe). This is a well-known medicinal plant that has many uses among indigenous peoples in southern Africa and the medicinal qualities of the plant and the very dry condition of the deposits may have been instrumental in the remarkable preservation of the skin tissue. Others view the presence of the plant leaves as “making a symbolic statement”. Fragments of a thin rope made of the fibres of the plant Cyperus textilis were found around the feet, stretching backwards to the pelvis area. Presumably the body was tied up in a flexed position before burial. After the plant coverage was removed, a string of seed beads was found around the neck of the mummy. The only other grave goods were a few marine shell beads found near the skull. Branches from the grave were radiocarbon dated to 1930. Other findings indicate that the remains are those of a male, Khoe-San individual. He was between thirty and forty years old when he died, and was only about 145 cm tall. The researchers found that the mummy had an amputated distal phalanx of the left fifth finger. The ritual amputation of finger joints by San groups occurred frequently in the past. Research indicated that these amputations were performed in very early childhood, either by a reed or by placing a sharp instrument on the finger and hitting it with a heavy blow. Various reasons for this practice were offered, including that this will ensure that a child grows up, to cure young children of disease, or ensuring a safe journey to a place after death. The researchers could not determine the cause of death.
Contact person: Prof M Steyn.
When human skeletal remains of unknown individuals are analysed, the estimation of ante-mortem stature forms a key part of the report. However, for many people it may be difficult to judge the height of their missing relative in metric values. In this project, which was started in 2000 and ended in 2005, researchers measured the statures of 2 052 black, 483 coloured and 880 white South Africans of both sexes. From the results obtained in this study, it is clear that the statures of the various South African population groups are different. The whites of both sexes are taller than the other two groups, while black and coloured people’s statures are similar to each other. The mean stature for white males is about 74 mm taller than for black males and 81 mm taller than for coloured males, with the female differences being about 65 and 60 mm, respectively. The mean stature for black males is slightly higher than that of the coloured individuals, whilst the mean height for coloured females is taller than that of black females. The differences between these latter two groups are, however, insignificantly small. As can be expected, the females of all groups are shorter than the males. It is proposed that these guidelines be used to add value to stature estimates given in forensic anthropological reports, and that researchers from other continents determine similar standards for their populations. In this way, stature reconstructions reported in forensic reports can be assessed in a more meaningful way.
Contact person: Prof M Steyn.
No technique could truly be called simple, safe and consistent until the anatomy has been closely examined. This is evident when looking at the literature where many anatomically based studies regarding regional techniques in adults have resulted in the improvement of known techniques, as well as the creation of safer and more efficient methods. Anaesthesiologists performing these procedures should have a clear understanding of the anatomy, the influence of age and size, and the potential complications and hazards of each procedure to achieve good results and avoid morbidity. A thorough knowledge of the anatomy of paediatric patients is also essential for successful nerve blocks, which cannot be substituted by probing the patient with a needle attached to a nerve stimulator. The anatomy described in adults is also not always applicable to children, as anatomical landmarks in children vary with growth. Bony landmarks are poorly developed in infants prior to weight bearing, and muscular and tendinous landmarks, commonly used in adults, tend to lack definition in young children. The aim of this ongoing research project is therefore to study a sample of paediatric cadavers, as well as magnetic resonance images in order to describe the relevant anatomy associated with essential regional nerve blocks, commonly performed by anaesthesiologists in South African hospitals. Current techniques are also analysed and where necessary new improvements to these techniques, using easily identifiable and constant bony landmarks, are described for the safe and successful performance of regional nerve blocks in paediatric patients. Research findings thus far have brought to light the vast differences between neonatal and adult anatomy, which is essential to understand when performing regional nerve blocks. When comparing the relationship of the cords of the brachial plexus to the coracoid process in adults and neonates, a significant difference was seen on both the left and right sides. This was also evident when comparing the position of the femoral nerve in the femoral triangle between these two population groups. Another interesting finding was that when simulating the current technique for blocking the ilio-inguinal and iliohypgastric nerves it was found that the nerves were a mere 2.5 millimetres from the anterior superior iliac spine, as opposed to the ten millimetres proposed in popular textbooks. In conclusion a sound knowledge and understanding of anatomy is vitally important for successful nerve blocks. Extrapolation of anatomical findings from adult studies and simply downscaling these findings in order to apply them to infants and children is inappropriate and could lead to failed blocks or severe complications.
Contact person: Mnr AN van Schoor.
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