Exploring Division of Labor at the Jiaojia Site in the Late Neolithic Period, Eastern China Using Entheseal Changes as Proxy

The investigation of activity patterns has consistently been a significant objective in bioarchaeological research. As distinct skeletal markers, entheseal changes (ECs) have been extensively used to reconstruct the habitual behaviors of ancient populations. In this study, we conducted an analysis to identify differences in physical activity between sexes and across two distinct socioeconomic groups at the Jiaojia site (ca. 2911–2491 b.c.) during the late Neolithic period in eastern China. This analysis was based on data obtained through the Coimbra method from eight entheses. The findings derived from the ECs support the existence of a sexual division of labor. Comparison between those from different socioeconomic backgrounds did not show a statistically significant difference in ECs data, suggesting that they engaged in physical activities with comparable intensity. These results imply that daily life may be structured around patterns of routine labor. However, the interpretation of EC data must be approached with caution and should be supplemented by further theoretical and methodological research to accurately reconstruct habitual activities.