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Intestinal parasites in six Islamic medieval period latrines from 10th–11th century Córdoba (Spain) and 12th–13th century Mértola (Portugal)
ConclusionDifferences were noted between parasite species found in Mediterranean Europe and northern Europe, where a range of zoonotic parasites were endemic alongside sanitation-related parasites. We suggest that the scarcity of zoonotic parasites in southern Europe in the medieval period may reflect contrasts in climate between northern and southern Europe.SignificanceThe repeated identification of roundworm eggs suggests that al-Andalus was less hygienic than historically depicted. We did not note a difference between parasites found in Muslim and Christian regions of Iberia, and the predominance of parasites spread by ...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - July 22, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Cranial modification and the shapes of heads across the Andes
Publication date: Available online 19 July 2019Source: International Journal of PaleopathologyAuthor(s): Christina Torres-RouffAbstractThis broad literature review considers advances in the study of cranial vault modification with an emphasis on investigations of Andean skeletal remains over the last two decades. I delimit three broad categories of research, building on Verano’s synthesis of the state of Andean paleopathology in 1997. These are associations with skeletal pathological conditions, classification and morphology, and social identity. Progress is noted in each of these areas with a particular emphasis on meth...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - July 20, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Cases of endocranial lesions on juvenile skeletons from Longshan cultural sites in Henan Province, China
Publication date: September 2019Source: International Journal of Paleopathology, Volume 26Author(s): Lei Sun, Kate Pechenkina, Yanpeng Cao, Hai Zhang, Xueyi QiAbstractEndocranial lesions were recognized on eight out of the 31 juveniles (25.8%) that were recovered from three Neolithic archaeological sites in Henan province. The remains of juveniles were recovered from urn burials at the Jiazhuang site (2200–2030 BCE) and graves at the Pingliangtai (2300–2100 BCE) and Haojiatai sites (2448–1700 BCE). The presence of endocranial lesions on all eight of these juvenile skulls was associated with a range of lesions on othe...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - June 25, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Editorial Board
Publication date: June 2019Source: International Journal of Paleopathology, Volume 25Author(s): (Source: International Journal of Paleopathology)
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - June 25, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Evidence of Skeletal Fluorosis at the Ray Site, Illinois, USA: a pathological assessment and discussion of environmental factors
Conclusions: The osteosclerotic changes along with the naturally high fluoride content of west central Illinois soil and water suggests the presence of skeletal fluorosis.Significance: This is the first report of skeletal fluorosis from archaeologically recovered human remains from North America.Limitations: The ambiguous nature of the skeletal changes associated with fluorosis, especially in the less severe stages of the disease, renders determination of the etiology difficult.Suggestions for Further Research: The continuation of paleopathological investigations of fluoride toxicity within archaeological communities recov...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - June 21, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Revisiting the tuberculosis and leprosy cross-immunity hypothesis: Expanding the dialogue between immunology and paleopathology
ConclusionsWe recommend that bioarchaeological reconstructions of past disease experience take into consideration models that include variation in immune function based on past environments and social contexts. This provides a unique opportunity to conduct comprehensive analyses on complex immunological processes.SignificanceExtrapolating results from experimental immunology to larger populations elucidates complexities of disease cross-immunity and highlights the importance of synthesizing archaeological, social, paleopathological and biological data as a means of understanding disease in the past.LimitationsAll extrapola...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - June 10, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Histomorphological study on hypocellularity in mastoid processes from archaeological human skeletons
ConclusionsUsing histomorphology, in vivo processes resulting in different types of mastoid hypocellularity can be assessed, even in bones that have undergone some degree of diagenesis.SignificanceThe study provides methods to evaluate the etiology of histomorphological changes of the mastoid process, which potentially provides insight into the presence of infection and inflammation in past populations.LimitationsDiagenetic modifications of archaeological bone can hinder assessment of histomorphological change, requiring careful evaluation during analysis.Suggestions for further researchIncluding histomorphology in future ...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - June 8, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

An innovative method to visualise mastoiditis using a hand-held X-ray system
ConclusionsThis method was found to be an effective, convenient, and versatile non-destructive alternative to sectioning and traditional radiographic imaging.SignificanceThis is the first project to adapt a hand-held X-ray system for imaging and diagnosis of mastoiditis and this approach encourages future analyses of this infection.LimitationsThe cost of the imaging system is limiting and there are few comparative images taken in the same plane.Suggestions for further researchFurther research should create a larger catalogue of comparative radiographs and assess the diagnostic potential of imaging the mastoid process to ra...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - June 6, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Palaeopathological analysis of a Chilean gomphothere (Proboscidea: Gomphotheriidae)
ConclusionsThe original diagnosis of traumatic lesions on this specimen is unsupported. The re-evaluation identified the presence of developmental defects, degenerative joint disease, possible neoplastic lesions, and spondyloartropathy.SignificanceThe present analysis adds data to the sparse paleopathological record of South American gomphotheres.LimitationsTaphonomic alteration of some skeletal elements, as well as the presence of an incomplete individual, limits the ability to determine the etiology of some of the lesions identified.Suggestions for further researchResearchers are encouraged to re-examine specimens curate...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - May 31, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

A case of hydrocephalus in a child from early modern period Žumberak, Croatia
ConclusionA diagnosis of the communicating form of hydrocephalus is suggested.SignificanceThis is the first published case of the communicating form of hydrocephalus.LimitationsIt is difficult to determine the specific etiology of this condition based on skeletal remains. (Source: International Journal of Paleopathology)
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - May 29, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

A probable case of infantile cortical hyperostosis in 2nd–4th centuries AD Romania
ConclusionsThe perinatal age of the individual, along with lesion morphology and location, suggests a diagnosis of infantile cortical hyperostosis.LimitationsThe analysis would benefit from further stable isotope and mitochondrial genome analyses, which was limited due to the absence of comparative human and faunal remains from the site.Suggestions for further researchFurther multidisciplinary research on human archaeological remains from Romania would provide a clearer image of past disease and life histories in this geographic area. (Source: International Journal of Paleopathology)
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - May 29, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Multiple osteomata from medieval Tuscany, Italy (ca. 10th–12th AD)
ConclusionsCone Beam Computed Tomography confirmed that the lesions were composed of compact bone. Macroscopic and radiological features suggest the presence of nonsyndromic multiple osteomata.SignificanceSingle cranial osteomata are commonly observed in osteoarchaeological remains, but multiple osteomata are rare and might assist in our understanding of neoplastic conditions in the past.LimitationsThe lack of soft tissues prevents the diagnosis of complex disorders, such as the Gardner syndrome, which is characterised by multiple osteomata and polyposis of the colon.Suggestions for further researchCareful investigation an...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - May 7, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

An isotopic case study of individuals with syphilis from the pathological-anatomical reference collection of the national museum in Prague (Czech Republic, 19th century A.D.)
ConclusionsEither diets prescribed by physicians to syphilitic patients or nutritional stress caused by cyclic appetite disturbance due to the disease itself or the administered medical treatment appeared to be possible explanations of the observed isotopic pattern. Overall, the response of the two isotopic proxies could argue for relatively limited nutritional restrictions.SignificanceThis is the first study examining bone collagen isotopic response to syphilis based on clinically documented human skeletal materials.LimitationsThe sample sizes are relatively small and cautiousness must be taken regarding the interpretatio...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - May 1, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Hypertrophic Osteoarthropathy in an adult Macaque
ConclusionA careful differential diagnosis of the lesions and comparison with previously published cases of Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy among humans and non-humans is suggestive of a case of Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy.SignificancePreviously there have only been three reported cases of HOA among non-human primates, and all were apes. This short communication thus serves as the first reported case of HOA among non-hominoid simians, providing a detailed description of the skeletal lesions of HOA among a non-human primates which can aid future analysis.LimitationsThe small sample size and lack of context limits discussion...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - April 29, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Foreword
Publication date: Available online 19 April 2019Source: International Journal of PaleopathologyAuthor(s): Jane Buikstra, Anne L. Grauer (Source: International Journal of Paleopathology)
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - April 19, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research