Abstract: Analyses of skeletal and dental pathologies in the human remains from Heigouliang cemetery, Hami, Xinjiang, were conducted to make inferences about the diet, life style and health of the once-living population. The permanent dentition reveals a special pattern of wear and oral pathology, and degenerative joint diseases and trauma have also been found in certain frequencies. Based on trauma and other nutritional stress indicators, the author suggests that significant amounts of strain were placed upon this population. The preliminary study of biomechanics on this skeletal assemblage has also been reported.
The ancient pathology illustrated in the present article includes the missing teeth while living and abnormal abrasions possibly relating to the functions of teeth, inflammation in the joints and the distortion caused by the inflammation. The wounds presented include stab wounds, chopped wounds and fractures. Some anomalous forms which might be related to their specialized functions were found on the Long Bones. The article also analyzes the daily activities that might cause these symptoms based on sports anatomy. Among them, the distortion possibly caused by riding is reported firstly in China. Hopefully, this article could provide some help in displaying the life styles of the ancient people from this cemetery.

Key words: Heigouliang Cemetery; Human bones; Trama; Paleopathology; Musculoskeletal stress markers