Profiling Skeletons Using Long Bones from Medieval Burials in Central Kenya (2025)

One thousand years ago, she walked the highlands – now, her bones tell her tale. Long bone analysis reveals powerful clues about ancient lives. This study profiles the Kalulu 1 skeleton, a medieval burial from the Central Highlands of Kenya. By measuring long bones – humerus, radius, femur, tibia, and ulna – this research estimates sex, stature, and ecogeographic adaptations using established osteological methods. Sex was assessed using head diameters of upper and lower limb bones, while stature was estimated using bone length formulas. A crural index of 85 (tibia/femur ratio) provided insight into climatic adaptation. Findings suggest Kalulu 1 was likely female, stood approximately 174.1 cm (5’7” ft) tall, and exhibited traits consistent with tropical-adapted populations. This study pioneers the documentation of new specimens from the African Medieval Period in the Central Highlands of Kenya, offering a rare glimpse into the biological profile of individuals from the region’s past.