Though developmental anomalies have been noted for over a century in South American paleopathology, they have received less attention than other pathological conditions. When anomalies are reported, they tend to be unusual case studies or incidental findings. Paleopathological research should also consider anomalies from a population perspective, to broaden our understanding about the frequency of specific anomalies, and potentially offer insight into genetic relationships, cultural behavior, or environmental factors. This investigation compared block vertebrae and co-occurring postcranial axial anomalies among three skeletal samples reflecting an occupational sequence at the El Brujo Archaeological Complex of Peru. Block vertebrae demonstrate both considerable antiquity and persistence through time, though frequencies, vertebral level, and co-occurring anomalies varied by sex and cultural period. Among the Late Preceramic sample, the frequency of C2-C3 block vertebrae was highest and only seen among females, which may suggest familial influence, genetic isolation, and potentially matrilocality. The Moche sample demonstrated a moderate frequency of blocks, which in combination with the frequencies of other developmental anomalies, may suggest population continuity paired with an influx of new genes, demographic expansion, and possible cultural change with regard to postmarital residence. The Lambayeque sample demonstrated the lowest frequency of blocks and the highest frequency and greatest diversity of anomalies, which may suggest genetic continuity from the Moche, an expanded gene pool, broader opportunities for mate choice, and cultural change. It is hoped that this investigation will provide data for future comparisons and call attention to the need for the broader study of developmental anomalies in South America.

尽管在南美古病理学中已经注意到发育异常一个多世纪了，但与其他病理条件相比，它们受到的关注较少。当报告异常时，它们往往是不寻常的案例研究或偶然发现。古病理学研究还应从种群角度考虑异常，以扩大我们对特定异常发生频率的理解，并有可能提供有关遗传关系，文化行为或环境因素的见解。这项研究比较了秘鲁El Brujo考古综合体中三个反映职业序列的骨骼样本中的椎骨块和共同发生的颅后轴异常。虽然频率，椎骨水平，同时发生的异常因性别和文化时期而异。在晚期的陶瓷前样本中，C2-C3椎骨的频率最高，仅在女性中出现，这可能表明有家族影响，遗传隔离和潜在的母体性。Moche样本显示出适度的阻断频率，再加上其他发育异常的频率，可能表明人口连续性与新基因的涌入，人口膨胀以及婚后居住方面的可能文化变化配对。Lambayeque样本显示出异常发生的最低频率，异常的最高频率和最大多样性，这可能表明Moche的遗传连续性，扩大的基因库，更广泛的伴侣选择机会和文化变革。