Can Entheseal Changes Detect A Sex-Based Division Of Labour? A Study Of Two British Medieval Skeletal Samples

Hodonova, J (2026) Can Entheseal Changes Detect A Sex-Based Division Of Labour? A Study Of Two British Medieval Skeletal Samples. Masters thesis, Liverpool John Moores University.

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Abstract

This study investigates sex-based divisions of labour in medieval England through the analysis of entheseal changes in two skeletal populations: Poulton (rural) and Gloucester (urban). Entheseal morphology reflects cumulative biomechanical stress from repetitive muscle use, providing insight into patterns of physical activity when interpreted alongside historical evidence. Using the Coimbra method, entheses were systematically assessed across major skeletal elements. Only adult right-side skeletal elements were examined with statistical comparisons conducted via Mann–Whitney U tests and Rank-Biserial Correlations to measure effect size. The results revealed distinct differences between the rural and urban populations. Poulton males exhibited pronounced entheseal changes consistent with heavy agricultural labour, while Poulton females displayed more variable and subtle patterns. In contrast, Gloucester individuals of both sexes showed substantial entheseal variation, reflecting broader occupational diversity. Male skeletons from Gloucester demonstrated activity signatures consistent with craft, trade and construction, while female skeletons revealed repetitive stress markers linked to brewing, market activities and textile production.
Significant differences were observed across multiple entheses particularly in the clavicle, humerus, ulna and lower limb sites, with effect sizes ranging from medium to large. These findings suggest that while agricultural strain dominated rural contexts, urban environments imposed heavy and gendered physical demands on both men and women. Importantly, the osteological evidence challenges traditional historical narratives that understate women’s economic participation, revealing that urban women engaged in labour-intensive roles beyond domestic duties. This research demonstrates the value of entheseal analysis for reconstructing past lifeways while recognising limitations relating to various factors including ageing and migration. Overall, this study contributes new data to medieval bioarchaeology highlighting how occupational roles differed between males and females in medieval rural and urban populations.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	division of labour; entheses; forensic anthropology; medieval
Subjects:	Q Science > QH Natural history Q Science > QM Human anatomy
Divisions:	Biological and Environmental Sciences (from Sep 19)
Date of acceptance:	20 August 2026
Date Deposited:	08 Sep 2026 11:00
Last Modified:	08 Sep 2026 11:00
Supervisors:	Valoriani, S and Borrini, M
URI:	https://researchonline.ljmu.ac.uk/id/eprint/29191

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