Victoria Gibbon | University of Cape Town (original) (raw)
Published Papers by Victoria Gibbon
Forensic Science International: Reports , 2019
Forensic Science International: Genetics , 2019
The Lancet Rheumatology , 2020
Science and Justice , 2019
Forensic Science International, 2019
HOMO-Journal of Comparative Human Biology , 2018
Forensic Science International, 2018
Forensic Science International, 2018
International Journal of Paleopathology, 2018
HOMO-Journal of Comparative Human Biology , 2017
HOMO-Journal of Comparative Human Biology, 2017
HOMO-Journal of Comparative Human Biology, 2016
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology , 2016
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2014
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology , 2014
Tissue Science and Engineering , 2014
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2014
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2012
The Ingombe Ilede and Isamu Pati Iron Age sites in Zambia provide 47 human burials for analyses. ... more The Ingombe Ilede and Isamu Pati Iron Age sites in Zambia provide 47 human burials for analyses. Our new study provides demographic information (sex and age), evidence of trauma, infectious diseases as well as physiological and mechanical indicators of stress. We found a high mortality rate for infants and children. Most of the sample (65%) lacked indications of stress or infectious diseases, but a few had cribra orbitalia, osteoarthritis, osteophytosis and various dental pathologies. These conditions are known to be caused by diet, food processing, nutritional intake and cultural systems. In addition, there were low levels of degenerative joint disease and no evidence of trauma. The stature and body mass estimates show that these Iron Age people were similar in size and shape compared with contemporary South Africans. These data indicate a relatively healthy population with a well-balanced diet and low afflictions of infectious and parasitic diseases.
Anthropological Science, 2013
The South African Journal of Science, 2010
Forensic Science International: Reports , 2019
Forensic Science International: Genetics , 2019
The Lancet Rheumatology , 2020
Science and Justice , 2019
Forensic Science International, 2019
HOMO-Journal of Comparative Human Biology , 2018
Forensic Science International, 2018
Forensic Science International, 2018
International Journal of Paleopathology, 2018
HOMO-Journal of Comparative Human Biology , 2017
HOMO-Journal of Comparative Human Biology, 2017
HOMO-Journal of Comparative Human Biology, 2016
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology , 2016
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2014
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology , 2014
Tissue Science and Engineering , 2014
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2014
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2012
The Ingombe Ilede and Isamu Pati Iron Age sites in Zambia provide 47 human burials for analyses. ... more The Ingombe Ilede and Isamu Pati Iron Age sites in Zambia provide 47 human burials for analyses. Our new study provides demographic information (sex and age), evidence of trauma, infectious diseases as well as physiological and mechanical indicators of stress. We found a high mortality rate for infants and children. Most of the sample (65%) lacked indications of stress or infectious diseases, but a few had cribra orbitalia, osteoarthritis, osteophytosis and various dental pathologies. These conditions are known to be caused by diet, food processing, nutritional intake and cultural systems. In addition, there were low levels of degenerative joint disease and no evidence of trauma. The stature and body mass estimates show that these Iron Age people were similar in size and shape compared with contemporary South Africans. These data indicate a relatively healthy population with a well-balanced diet and low afflictions of infectious and parasitic diseases.
Anthropological Science, 2013
The South African Journal of Science, 2010
International journal of legal medicine, Feb 19, 2024
The identification of unknown human remains is a significant and ongoing challenge in South Afric... more The identification of unknown human remains is a significant and ongoing challenge in South Africa, worsened by the country's high murder rate. The rate of decomposition in South Africa is significantly influenced by vertebrate scavenging, which, if not considered, can impede the accurate estimation of the post-mortem interval. Scavenging patterns vary greatly depending on the environment and ecological region, and there is limited data for the Western Cape province. To address this gap, two clothed and uncaged pig carcasses weighing 60 kg each were placed in the field in July 2021 and January 2022, respectively. Motion-activated infrared-capable trail cameras were used to observe decomposition, scavenger species, and their activities. Additionally, a comparative sample of 16 unclothed carcasses deployed between 2014 and 2016 in the same habitat were analyzed to assess the impact of clothing and biomass load. The study found three main results: (1) Regardless of habitat or biomass load, it took significantly less time to reach decomposition milestones (25%, 50%, and 75%) during the summer season; (2) the presence of mongoose scavengers had a greater impact on the time required to reach milestones during winter compared to summer; and (3) single carcass deployments reached the milestones faster than multi-carcass deployments in both seasons. This research highlights the potential inaccuracy of current methods for estimating the postmortem interval when scavenging activity is not considered or documented in the underlying experimental data, particularly for environments or ecological biomes where scavengers actively impact decomposition rates.
South African Archaeological Bulletin, Jun 1, 2012
Review(s) of: A study through skull morphology on the diversity of holocene African populations i... more Review(s) of: A study through skull morphology on the diversity of holocene African populations in a historical perspective, by Ribot, I. 2011, BAR International Series 2215, Oxford: Archaeopress, xiv+217 pp. ISBN 978-1-4073-0773-2 (paperback), Price 43.00 pounds.
Nature Reviews Genetics, Sep 16, 2020
Oxford University Press eBooks, Dec 19, 2022
In the decades that followed South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democratic rule, museums... more In the decades that followed South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democratic rule, museums and universities adopted a major ethical shift toward rehumanizing and returning illicitly obtained ancestral human skeletal remains to local communities. Although much work on repatriation, reburial, and restitution processes has been conducted since, it has been without adequate government legislative and procedural grounding and support, often resulting in circular discussions and limited or disappointing outcomes. In the midst of growing activism related to the repatriation of objects and ancestral remains from Africa held in institutions globally, these efforts have become a societal and national priority and many museum and university collections and repositories are calling for action. The implementation of defined national processes coupled with sound guiding principles, as well as adequate community and stakeholder engagement for any repatriation and restitution event can mitigate potential breakdowns and lead to successful and amiable results. The authors of this chapter provide a set of guiding principles for restitution processes based on their experience in the hope that this initiates discussion so that these can be transferred to similar political and social contexts globally.
South African Journal of Child Health, Jul 22, 2022
In South Africa (SA), it has been estimated that one-third of boys and 25% of girls under the age... more In South Africa (SA), it has been estimated that one-third of boys and 25% of girls under the age of 5 years are stunted, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) Multicentre Growth Reference Study. During the past decade, research in developed and developing countries has shown that the international growth standard overestimates stunting and/or wasting when compared with population-specific growth references. Population-specific growth references typically incorporate genetic and environmental factors and can therefore better inform public health by identifying children who may be at risk for malnutrition, or who may be ill. Using the universal growth standard in SA may not be accurately assessing growth. In this article, environmental and genetic factors, and their influence on growth, are reviewed. These points are illustrated through a brief history of the peopling of SA, with an understanding of the socioeconomic and political climate – past and present. We discuss the uniqueness of certain population groups in SA, with contributions regarding some of the shortest peoples in the world and a history of sociopolitical inequities, which may mean that children from certain population groups who are perfectly healthy would underperform using the universal growth standard. Therefore, we suggest that a local population-specific growth reference would serve to better inform public health policies, and address childhood health equity and physical developmental pathways to adult health risk status.
South African Journal of Science, Nov 1, 2010
We review methods of sex estimation from human skeletal remains in South Africa within the forens... more We review methods of sex estimation from human skeletal remains in South Africa within the forensic context. Sex is one of the key variables in obtaining a biological profile of the individual or population whose remains are analysed. Sex estimation based on the morphological characteristics of skeletal elements is population specific and thus the establishment of regional criteria is one of the imperatives for modern forensic anthropology. A literature review was carried out wherein the available methods of sex identification (morphological, metrical, geometric morphometrics and molecular) from South African skeletal material were critically examined. The approaches to sex estimation based on bone morphology have a long and productive history in South Africa. A number of approaches providing accurate results on the local populations have been developed. Research in molecular sex determination methods is still in its infancy in South Africa and the first innovative studies appeared only in recent years. While each of the four methods analysed is bounded by a number of constraints, they seem to complement each other and provide the best results when applied in conjunction with each other.
Homo-journal of Comparative Human Biology, Jun 26, 2021
The University of Cape Town (UCT) Human Skeletal Repository began in 1913 and its composition a c... more The University of Cape Town (UCT) Human Skeletal Repository began in 1913 and its composition a century later reflects the history of biological anthropology at the University, in South Africa and internationally. It consists of 1059 skeletons from archaeological (472; 44%), cadaveric (372; 36%) and forensic contexts (160; 14%). They are used for educational and research purposes to provide engaged scholarship and experiential learning for undergraduate and postgraduate students from a variety of disciplines including health professionals. The cadaveric remains help build population specific standards, forensic cases assist to address social and criminal justice, and the archaeological discoveries to preserve African culture and heritage. Overall, the repository provides a distinct contribution to knowledge locally and globally. The new management approach of the repository is presented. Ethical considerations and management policies are discussed. Stewardship of these individuals is facing several challenges and there are areas that continue to require attention. UCT is committed to address past unethical procurement of remains through engaging with the relevant interested and affected parties in restitution and repatriation.
PLOS ONE
We describe a process of restitution of nine unethically acquired human skeletons to their famili... more We describe a process of restitution of nine unethically acquired human skeletons to their families, together with attempts at redress. Between 1925–1927 C.E., the skeletonised remains of nine San or Khoekhoe people, eight of them known-in-life, were removed from their graves on the farm Kruisrivier, near Sutherland in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa. They were donated to the Anatomy Department at the University of Cape Town. This was done without the knowledge or permission of their families. The donor was a medical student who removed the remains from the labourers’ cemetery on his family farm. Nearly 100 years later, the remains are being returned to their community, accompanied by a range of community-driven interdisciplinary historical, archaeological and analytical (osteobiographic, craniofacial, ancient DNA, stable isotope) studies to document, as far as possible, their lives and deaths. The restitution process began by contacting families living in the same area w...
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology
Accurate population‐specific sex estimation standards do not exist for southern African Holocene ... more Accurate population‐specific sex estimation standards do not exist for southern African Holocene San and Khoekhoe populations. Due to markedly small stature, skeletal gracility, and physically active lifestyle, this population exhibits reduced sexual dimorphism, complicating application of standards developed elsewhere. The effectiveness of common sex estimation approaches were assessed and optimized for San and Khoekhoe populations. One‐hundred seventy‐five adult archaeological San and Khoekhoe skeletons were studied. Sex estimates from seven morphological traits (cranial and mandibular) and six metrical parameters (mandibular, humeral, and femoral) were compared with pelvic (Phenice) sex estimates to assess agreement. Results were analyzed using chi‐squared tests, univariate statistics, and cross‐validated discriminant function analysis. The effectiveness of individual cranial and mandibular traits varied: The mastoid process and mandibular shape produced the highest agreement rat...
International Journal of Legal Medicine
International Journal of Paleopathology, 2022
OBJECTIVE Palaeopathological evidence of cancer, especially metastatic cancer, is rare in China. ... more OBJECTIVE Palaeopathological evidence of cancer, especially metastatic cancer, is rare in China. This paper describes and diagnoses a cranium with multiple lytic lesions recovered from the Sampula cemetery in Xinjiang, attempting to diagnose the type of disease that could have caused the pathological lesions observed. MATERIAL A cranium from an adult male (#00106) was recovered from the Sampula cemetery (dated to 55 BCE to 335 CE) located in the Luopu County, the Hotan River oasis on the southern edge of the Tarim Basin in southern Xinjiang. METHODS The cranium was assessed macroscopically and radiographically (CT). RESULTS Multiple osteolytic lesions with irregular and "moth-eaten" margins were detected in cranium #00106. CT scans revealed the development of the lesions began at the diploe and identified a "button sequestrum". CONCLUSIONS Based on lesion characteristics, metastatic carcinoma was likely the cause of lesions found in cranium #00106. SIGNIFICANCE This case has expanded our knowledge of the malignant neoplasms of ancient populations in northwest China and discusses the possible risk factors in the occurrence of cancer in the Sampula site, as well as the possible impacts of skeletal metastases on the individual. LIMITATIONS The distribution of osteolytic lesions over the complete skeleton cannot be observed because of the unavailability of postcranial bone. SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH With the increasing number of reports describing diseases in ancient China, the patterns of diseases occurrence and development can be further explored from spatial and temporal perspectives.
International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2020
In bioarchaeology, cranial trauma studies generally have focused on the frequency in the populati... more In bioarchaeology, cranial trauma studies generally have focused on the frequency in the population to explore violence within or between society. They focus less on further discussion of the consequences and interactions of the injured individual with the surrounding. In this study, macroscopic observation and computed tomography scans (endocast reconstruction) were used to explore a special cranium in the Sampula site of northwest China. The model of bioarchaeology of care (BoC) was used to further analyse the individual's disability experience, related health care and the broader social meaning of caring behaviour. The results showed that the individual numbered Sampula I M2:103 was an adult male who suffered severe antemortem cranial trauma that led to brain injury. Short‐term health care involving wound treatment and nutritional support, as well as long‐term assistance in social and rehabilitation, was available in the Sampula Iron Age society. Although there were limitatio...
Nature, 2021
We are a group of archaeologists, anthropologists, curators and geneticists representing diverse ... more We are a group of archaeologists, anthropologists, curators and geneticists representing diverse global communities and 31 countries. All of us met in a virtual workshop dedicated to ethics in ancient DNA research held in November 2020. There was widespread agreement that globally applicable ethical guidelines are needed, but that recent recommendations grounded in discussion about research on human remains from North America are not always generalizable worldwide. Here we propose the following globally applicable guidelines, taking into consideration diverse contexts. These hold that: (1) researchers must ensure that all regulations were followed in the places where they work and from which the human remains derived; (2) researchers must prepare a detailed plan prior to beginning any study; (3)
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2021
Significance The microbiome plays key roles in human health, but little is known about its evolut... more Significance The microbiome plays key roles in human health, but little is known about its evolution. We investigate the evolutionary history of the African hominid oral microbiome by analyzing dental biofilms of humans and Neanderthals spanning the past 100,000 years and comparing them with those of chimpanzees, gorillas, and howler monkeys. We identify 10 core bacterial genera that have been maintained within the human lineage and play key biofilm structural roles. However, many remain understudied and unnamed. We find major taxonomic and functional differences between the oral microbiomes of Homo and chimpanzees but a high degree of similarity between Neanderthals and modern humans, including an apparent Homo -specific acquisition of starch digestion capability in oral streptococci, suggesting microbial coadaptation with host diet.
Science & Justice, 2021
When a body is decomposed, hard tissues such as teeth may provide the only DNA source for human i... more When a body is decomposed, hard tissues such as teeth may provide the only DNA source for human identification. There is currently no consensus as to the best DNA extraction method, and there is a lack of empirical data regarding tooth morphotype and condition that may impact DNA recovery. Therefore, this study sought to investigate which variables significantly improved DNA concentration, integrity and profiling success. A total of 52 human teeth were assessed, representing all tooth morphotypes from three deceased individuals. DNA was extracted using both the QIAamp® DNA Investigator Kit and the phenol-chloroform method. DNA concentration and degradation index were assessed using real time PCR, prior to conventional DNA profiling. Contrary to international guidelines promoting the use of molars, DNA profiling from molars was the least successful, with premolars, followed by canines, performing the best. The presence of fillings reduced the DNA quantity and quality obtained and may explain the poor performance of molars. DNA from the maxillae were significantly less degraded when the QIAamp® was used, although this did not influence DNA profiling success. A significant increase in DNA concentration, integrity and profiling success was observed in diseased teeth (periodontitis) compared to those without disease. This may be due to increased white blood cell presence at the site. There was no significant difference in DNA profiling success between the two DNA extraction methods. However, different teeth yielded failed DNA profiles for each extraction method, suggesting that repeated attempts, using alternative DNA extraction methods, is recommended. The recovery of additional DNA profiling information from degraded samples may help to ultimately reduce the burden of unidentified human remains.
Nature Reviews Genetics, 2020