External auditory exostoses (EAEs) are dense osseous hyperostoses that protrude into the external auditory canal and are associated with repetitive aquatic activity. Clinically, the aetiology of EAEs is attributed to prolonged exposure to cold water through activities including swimming, surfing, diving, kayaking and sailing. The prevalence and distribution of EAEs within a particular archaeological context informs on human–environment interactions, activity and behavioural differences between the sexes, habitual aquatic activity (e.g., fishing, diving, swimming, bathing, seafaring, littoral zone resource procurement), marine and aquatic resource exploitation and subsistence patterns. This study aims to assess the prevalence of EAEs within a prominent Chalcolithic skeletal assemblage from Souskiou-Laona, in southwestern Cyprus. Sixty-five auditory canals were examined macroscopically and microscopically to confirm the presence or absence of EAEs. Five adult individuals present EAEs (right auditory canals; left ear canals not sufficiently preserved) with a prevalence of 15.1% of all sufficiently preserved right ear canals (33). EAE prevalence is 25% in males and 14.2% in females. Earlier burials on the site, represented by bonestack (commingled) crania, display EAEs at 14.8% prevalence, whereas the last burials (articulated skeletons) show a prevalence of 16.7%. Malacological evidence from Souskiou-Laona cemetery attests marine resource procurement, including activity at the littoral zone. The EAEs at Souskiou-Laona likely reflect the diachronic exploitation of marine resources at the south coast of Cyprus from the foundation of the cemetery to the latest burials before abandonment of the site. Both males and females participated in these repetitive aquatic activities. The differential expression of EAEs in the population as a whole, and the different prevalences between males and females, may be interpreted in the context of increasing specialisation and social complexity during the Chalcolithic, consistent with the development of other specialised, standardised and gender-differential activities during this time period.

中文翻译：

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外耳性外生骨赘、重复性水生活动和塞浦路斯铜石时代日益复杂的社会：海洋专家？

外耳道骨赘 (EAE) 是致密的骨质增生，突出到外耳道中，并与重复的水上活动有关。在临床上，EAE 的病因归因于通过游泳、冲浪、潜水、皮划艇和帆船等活动长时间暴露于冷水中。EAEs 在特定考古环境中的流行和分布表明人类与环境的相互作用、两性之间的活动和行为差异、习惯性的水生活动（例如，捕鱼、潜水、游泳、沐浴、航海、沿海地区资源采购）、海洋和水生资源开发和生存模式。这项研究的目的是评估从Souskiou-突出铜石骨架组合内EAES的流行老衲，在塞浦路斯西南部。对 65 个耳道进行宏观和微观检查，以确认 EAE 的存在或不存在。五名成年个体出现 EAE（右耳道；左耳道未得到充分保护），占所有充分保留的右耳道的 15.1% (33)。EAE 患病率在男性中为 25%，在女性中为 14.2%。该遗址较早的墓葬，以骨堆（混合）颅骨为代表，显示 EAE 的发生率为 14.8%，而最后的墓葬（铰接式骨骼）显示出 16.7% 的发生率。从Souskiou- Malacological证据老衲墓地证明船舶资源的采购，包括在沿岸地带活动。在Souskiou-的EAES老衲这可能反映了塞浦路斯南海岸从墓地的基础到废弃遗址之前的最新墓葬对海洋资源的历时性开发。男性和女性都参与了这些重复的水上活动。EAEs 在整个人群中的差异表达，以及男性和女性之间的不同流行，可以在铜石器时代日益专业化和社会复杂性的背景下进行解释，这与其他专业化、标准化和性别差异化的发展是一致的。这段时间的活动。