[Paleopathology and historical epidemiologic research in dentistry of the 19th and 20th century].
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Dental Caries↗
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[Prehistory of medicine in the light of archeological anthropology and paleopathology].
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Archaeology↗
[Dentomaxillary paleopathology].
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History, Ancient↗
[Pre-Columbian paleopathology].
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Anthropology, Cultural↗
[An orbital exostosis, the history of its removal and didactic presentation in the XIXth century and today ...].
During a meeting on Paleopathology an anatomic piece dating back to 1853 was presented by Dr Thillaud. It consisted of a right hemiskull, the orbital cavity of which was entirely filled by a bone tumour, which was considered as benignant according to all macroscopic paleopathological and radiological criteria. The situation of the tumour in the skeleton was surprising, considering the report in the Dupuytren Museum catalogue which mentioned its removal and a long survival of the patient after the operation. After some research, it was possible to find out all details of the case history, of the removal of the tumour and of its aberrant presentation in the skull which was solely done in a didactic purpose, as far back as 1853. This observation is a further proof of the interest of written documents in Paleopathology and of the evident connexion of this discipline with the History of Medicine.
Autopsy↗
[A didactical experience about "paleonutrition"].
The item arises from an "elective" Paleopathology course suggested for students graduating in Medicine and Surgery at the University of Milan. This course discussed subjects as: molecular paleobiology, tumors and infectious paleopathology, paleonutrition, paleopathological museums and history of medicine. The author dealt with the "paleonutrition" subject. Extremely actual aspects emerged which drew the students' attention.
History of Medicine↗
Skeletal manifestations of rickets in infants and young children in a historic population from England.
Gross and radiographic changes characteristic of inadequate bone mineralization due to rickets are described in 21 immature skeletons from a 19th century urban population from Birmingham, England. The aims of the study are as follows: to evaluate and if possible augment existing dry-bone criteria for the recognition of rickets in immature skeletal remains; to investigate the value of radiography for the paleopathological diagnosis of rickets; and to compare and contrast the expression of rickets in this group with that previously documented for a rural agrarian population from Wharram Percy, England. Some gross skeletal signs of rickets which were not previously well-documented in paleopathological studies are noted. The worth of radiography for evaluating structural changes to both cortical and trabecular bone in the disease is demonstrated, and features useful for the interpretation of vitamin D deficiency are discussed. The pattern of skeletal elements affected and the severity of changes differs in the Birmingham group from that seen in the comparative rural population. It is emphasized that a variety of factors may influence the expression of rickets in paleopathological material, including rate of skeletal growth, age cohort affected, and intensity of vitamin D deficiency. Nevertheless, careful analysis, not only of the frequency of rickets but also of the degree of severity of lesions and the patterning with respect to skeletal elements affected, may enable more nuanced understanding of the biocultural context of the disease in earlier populations.
Bone and Bones↗
Skeletal biology of Apurguan: a precontact Chamorro site on Guam.
The human skeletal remains of a minimum of 152 individuals from the precontact Latte Period (AD 1000-1521) on Guam, Mariana Islands, are described. The sample, recovered at Apurguan, in the Tamuning District, is one of the largest series of well-provenienced Chamorro skeletal remains to be analyzed in recent years. The size and systematic nature of this database are a major contribution to the human biology of the region. Paleodemographic characteristics, dental and skeletal morphology, and paleopathology are presented, along with a limited examination of sex differences in frequencies of nonmetric variation. The mortuary sample, consisting of 51 subadults and 101 adults, exhibits underrepresentation of females, highest subadult mortality between 2 and 10 years, and an adult average age-at-death of 43.5 years. Cranial and infracranial indices and nonmetric variation are consistent with the Chamorro's Southeast Asian origins. There are few statistically significant sex differences in nonmetric variation which suggests close genetic affinity. The frequency of dental pathology overall is low, reflecting a well-balanced, varied diet, and consistent with preagricultural subsistence; however statistically significant sex differences suggest the influence of differential cultural behaviors or resource access. Paleopathological observations include healed fractures (more common in males), little advanced osteoarthritis, evidence for gouty arthritis, and treponemal disease (yaws). One individual, a young adult male, was interred with 10 human bone spear points in situ. Twenty percent of the primary burials exhibit evidence of postdepositional removal of selected skeletal elements for cultural purposes such as keepsakes or raw material.
Arthritis↗
[Bilateral SLAC (scapholunate advanced collapse) wrist: an unusual entity. Apropos of a 7000-year-old prehistoric case].
SLAC (Scapho-Lunate Advanced Collapse) wrist is the most common form of osteoarthritis of the wrist. The main aetiology is ligamentous rotary subluxation of the scaphoid. The authors report on a case of bilateral SLAC wrist, identified on a prehistoric skeleton derived from the Hassi-el-Abiod site in the malian Sahara (Dutour, 1989). The paleopathological study consisted of macroscopic examination and radiological examination. Radiocarbon dating situated this human occupation to 7 thousand years ago. The diseases observed included bilateral radiocarpal lesions in an adult male individual. The degree of preservation of the carpal skeleton was 90%. Lesions were bilateral, but predominantly affected the right side. The radial styloid processes presented a lateral osteophytic cuff, giving a tapered "pen-nib" appearance. The scaphoid has a normal shape, but presented posterior and lateral osteophytes. The scaphoid surfaces of the two distal extremities of the radius and the corresponding parts of the scaphoid showed characteristic polishing. X-rays showed a band of condensation corresponding to the ivory region on the articular surfaces. In this case, the bilateral nature and the absence of any obvious macrotraumatic aetiology suggest that the only aetiology was progressive and bilateral ligamentous distension, due to repeated microtrauma analogous to that observed in sports disease (volley-ball) or in occupational diseases (jackhammer). The manufacture of stone tools (carved or polished) can be incriminated in the pathogenesis of these lesions. These lesions are therefore useful markers of repeated microtraumatic activities or "activity markers". The is the first paleopathological description and the oldest known case of bilateral SLAC wrist.
Carpal Bones↗
Probable keratocyst in a mandible from the late Roman era.
Odontogenic keratocysts, characterized by considerable local aggressiveness and high recurrence rates, account for 5-15% of all odontogenic cysts. This paper reviews the literature and describes the most important aspects of this type of cyst, a clinical example being given as way of illustration. We also report a paleopathological case featuring an osteolytic lesion where the characteristics are consistent with a keratocyst. The aim is thus to encourage odontologists to contribute to research in the field of paleopathology.
Adult↗
Leprosy in skeletons from archaeological sites: A systematic review.
BACKGROUND: Leprosy (Hansen's disease) is an ancient stigmatising infectious disease that remains endemic in many countries. Leprosy-related bone changes that cause disabilities in affected persons are evident in skeletons from archaeological sites. The aim of our synthesis of paleopathological data was to gain insights into the disease's historical distribution and presentation. METHODOLOGY: Systematic review of paleopathological studies describing human remains with signs of leprosy published up to December 2023. Extracted data on bone features from skulls and limbs, including rhinomaxillary syndrome (RMS) in cranial bones and post-cranial bone changes (PCBC) in hands and feet, were summarised, together with genomic data from studies of Mycobacterium leprae ancient DNA. FINDINGS: The 297 skeletons described in 67 studies comprised 264 skeletons from sites in modern-day Europe (117 from England, 68 from Denmark); 23 skeletons from Asia (10 from India), 5 from The Americas, and 4 from the African continent (all from Egypt); 174 (58.6%) were from leprosaria, 255 (85.9%) were adults, 28 (9.4%) adolescent, 14 (4.7%) of indeterminate age. Skeletons dated from 3715 BCE to 1839 CE, peaking around the 15th Century. Probable and possible RMS were identified in 85 (30.5%) and 153 (54.8%) of 279 skeletons with cranial data, respectively. Lower limb pathological PCBC were most prevalent in tarsals (76.6%), metatarsals (81.5%), and feet phalanges (85.6%). In upper limbs, 75.8% of humeri, 65.8% of radii, 61.0% of ulnae and 75.8% of hand phalanges exhibited pathological alterations. From 73 skeletons from 19 genomic studies, M. leprae single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) type 3 was identified in 59 skeletons (80.8%), SNP type 2 in 11 (15.1%), type 4 in two, and type 1 in one. CONCLUSIONS: Four out of five archaeological skeletons with leprosy exhibited some degree of RMS, which is pathognomonic of the most severe form of the disease, irrespective of whether the skeleton was excavated from a leprosarium (leprosy hospital) or from a public cemetery or other burial site. The relatively small numbers of remains excavated over a wide geographical area and a long time period, and the focus of archaeological studies on skeletons already identified as having leprosy, mean that it is difficult to prove or disprove theories that aim to explain the decline and eventual disappearance of leprosy as a disease in Europe.
Humans↗
A paleoepidemiologic study of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis.
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH) in ancient populations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 38 women and 61 men aged at least 30 years at death, whose remains were recovered from four cemeteries of the High Middle Ages (VIth to VIIIth century) located in Lorraine (eastern France). Criteria previously developed by Crubézy and Crubézy-Ibanez for paleopathological studies were used to determine whether the skeletal remains exhibited definite, possible, probable, or no DISH. RESULTS: Definite DISH with flowing ossification along the thoracic spine and ossification of peripheral enthesopathies was seen in 2.8 to 3.7% of the subjects from two cemeteries and in none from the other two cemeteries. Identical figures were found for possible DISH. The prevalence and male predominance s (nine of 13 subjects in any DISH category were males) were similar to those reported in contemporary studies and in other paleopathological studies. CONCLUSION: In the absence of clinical data on the metabolic status of the study subjects, our results suggest that DISH in our subjects was a marker for older age at death.
Adult↗
Possible human sacrifice at the origins of Rome: novel skeletal evidences.
Recent archaeological excavations at the Carcer/Tullianum, in the Roman Forum, allowed the unexpected recovery of human burials associated with the very early foundations of the monument, at the beginning of the iron age. The study of these burials resulted in interesting paleopathological discoveries, concerning the skeleton of a strongly-built male, radiocarbon-dated between 830 and 780 BC. The telltale posture of the skeleton and the presence of a massive perimortal blunt force trauma of the skull shed light on the mode and circumstances of the death of this subject, and are suggestive of ritual sacrifice. The archaeological, mythological and historical backgrounds, combined with the paleopathological evidence, help us to get a glimpse of life and death at the origins of Rome.
Bone and Bones↗
[Is rheumatoid arthritis a new disease? Review of the literature].
No convincing descriptions of the lesions of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) can be found in the medical literature before 1800. The non-medical literature, the visual arts, and paleopathological observations have revealed finger abnormalities which have been considered suggestive of RA before 1800. However, many authorities remain unconvinced by such interpretations and it is felt, that RA may be a disease of recent origin. Recently, paleopathological observations of skeletons from 1000-3000 B.C. in the US have shown convincing bone erosions compatible with RA, and it has been suggested that RA may be an old disease in the New World, and, like syphilis, it may have been transferred to the Old World after the time of Columbus.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗
[Detection of DNA specific for Mycobacterium tuberculosis in archeological material using the polymerase chain reaction].
The paleopathological diagnosis of bone tuberculosis in archeological findings may be confirmed by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). If the M. tuberculosis-specific DNA fragment is amplified, then the presence of this microorganism in the sample is demonstrated. The pilot study presented investigated whether our molecular biology laboratory can collaborate with anthropologists in paleopathological analyses and to verify the use of the commercial diagnostic kit Cleanmix (Talent, Italy), for DNA isolation from archeological samples. The results were compared with the conclusions of anthropologists. Successful amplification of specific DNA fragments was achieved in a specimen from the period of the 13th to 15th century. The specimen consists of four thoracic vertebrae modified by osseous tuberculosis (gibbus). The PCR result was also positive in a five-year-old femur sample of a patient with chronic pulmonary tuberculosis. All other specimens of various ages but without macroscopic symptoms of osseous tuberculosis, were PCR negative. These results suggest that it is possible to detect former infections with pathogenic microorganisms in archeological bones find.
DNA, Bacterial↗
Three-dimensional computed tomography of the mummy Wenuhotep.
Computed tomography allows cross-sectional imaging of anthropological as well as clinical subjects. Recently, technical innovations have made three-dimensional reconstruction of these images feasible. We performed two-dimensional and three-dimensional computed tomography of a Late Period Egyptian mummy to reexamine findings seen on previous radiographic studies and to evaluate the usefulness of these techniques in paleopathology. Two-dimensional images provided excellent anatomic detail. There was graphic depiction of the mummification process that corroborated information previously obtained from Egyptological studies. Three-dimensional reconstruction provided images of facial features as if the mummy had been unwrapped. Three-dimensional computed tomography is a useful method of nondestructively evaluating paleopathological remains, and it may yield information not obtainable by any other means.
Female↗
Brief communication: bioarcheological and biocultural evidence for the New England vampire folk belief.
Folk beliefs associated with death and disease can impact on the bioarcheological record. Unusual postmortem actions by humans and distinctive paleopathological evidence may be clues to these beliefs. This report presents bioarcheological and paleopathological evidence in support of a 19th century New England folk belief in vampires with a particular reference to a colonial period burial. The New England folk belief in vampires revolves around the ability of a deceased tuberculosis victim to return from the dead as a vampire and cause the "wasting away" of the surviving relatives. To stop the actions of the vampire, the body of the consumptive was exhumed and disrupted in various ways. Twelve historic accounts of this activity indicate that the belief was not uncommon in 19th century New England. This creative interpretation of contagion is consistent with the etiology of tuberculosis. Three pieces of evidence are important in this case. The skeletal of a 50- to 55-year-old male from a mid-19th century Connecticut cemetery exhibiting pulmonary tuberculosis rib lesions are discussed. In addition, certain bones in the skeleton were rearranged after decomposition was complete. A historic vampire account from the same time period and geographical location place the belief within the parameters of the cemetery.
Burial↗
[Parasagittal meningioma in a skull dated 32500 years before present from southwestern Germany].
Summary. During excavation in 1931 by Riek in the cave of Vogelherd close to Stetten in the Lone Valley in southwestern Germany there was found an anatomically modern human skull (called: "Stetten 2") dated 32500 years before present. The skull was excavated without postcranial skeleton in the cave and showed no signs of burial. Paleopathological examinations of the calvarium reveals skeletal abnormalities that indicate parasagittal meningioma next to the bregma. Paracentral Meningiomas cause seizures and focal weakness, followed by headache. These observations are discussed in the context of modern medical knowledge. Our theory integrated archaeological, anthropological and paleopathological knowledge and helped to create the understanding of Paleolithic and earliest modern man knew regarding the "brain" and illness.
Germany↗