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A comparison of ancient parasites as seen from archeological contexts and early medical texts in China
Publication date: June 2019Source: International Journal of Paleopathology, Volume 25Author(s): Hui-Yuan Yeh, Xiaoya Zhan, Wuyun QiAbstractThis paper integrates our knowledge from traditional Chinese medical texts and archeological findings to discuss parasitic loads in early China. Many studies have documented that several different species of eukaryotic endoparasites were present in early human populations throughout China. Nevertheless, comprehensive paleoparasitological records from China are patchy, largely due to taphonomic and environmental factors. An examination of early Chinese medical texts allows us to fill in ...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - April 13, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

A health crisis during the Japanese Medieval Period: A new paleodemographic perspective
ConclusionsEMP early age-at-death was the result of poor community health, violent death, and frequent large-scale natural catastrophes. The LMP and Edo Period samples have an older age-at-death pattern and higher frequency of stress markers, argued to be a consequence of a colder climate.SignificanceThis study is the first to synthesize paleodemographic and paleopathological data on a large scale to assess the possible effects of the Little Ice Age in Japan.LimitationsVarying skeletal preservation and focus on adult skeletons reduces the ability to evaluate health throughout the life span.Suggestions for further researchA...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - March 31, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

A bioarchaeological and biocultural investigation of Chinese footbinding at the Xuecun archaeological site, Henan Province, China
Publication date: June 2019Source: International Journal of Paleopathology, Volume 25Author(s): Christine LeeAbstractFrom 2005–2006 the Institute of Cultural Relics and Archaeology, Henan Province, excavated the Xuecun cemetery as part of a salvage archaeology project associated with the South to North Water Diversion Project. This gave a unique opportunity to examine burials from the Ming-Qing Dynasties (1360–1911). Burials from this period are seldom excavated as the Chinese, do not want to disturb their direct ancestors. This is one of the first studies to examine the paleopathological consequences for footbinding i...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - March 29, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

A case of erosive polyarthropathy from Medieval northern Italy (12th–13th centuries)
ConclusionsA careful differential diagnosis of the lesions and their macroscopic and radiological appearance are suggestive of a case of rheumatoid arthritis-like polyarthropathy.SignificanceThis case contributes to the debate regarding the antiquity of erosive polyarthropathies, providing additional evidence for the existence of these diseases in the Old World prior to the discovery of the Americas.LimitationsSmall sample size limits discussion of the scope of the disease in antiquity.Suggestions for further researchThis case highlights the need for further macroscopic, radiographic, and biomolecular studies of pre-modern...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - March 29, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Multi-analytic study of a probable case of fibrous dysplasia (FD) from certosa monumental cemetery (Bologna, Italy)
ConclusionsThe multi-analytical method employed suggests a diagnosis of monostotic form of FD. The diagnostic design incorporates multiple lines of evidence, including macroscopic, histopathological, and genetic analyses.SignificanceThrough the use of a multi-analytic approach, robust diagnoses can be offered. This case serves as one of the oldest examples of FD from an historical context. The genetic mutation detected, associated with FD, has not been previously reported in historical/ancient samples. (Source: International Journal of Paleopathology)
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - March 24, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Use of Computed Tomography scanning in a ‘virtual’ bioarchaeology of care analysis of a Central Coast Peruvian mummy bundle
Conclusion‘Virtual’ examination of FA 54 achieved an advanced stage of bioarchaeology of care analysis, but building on this would require physical examination of bundle elements. Further investigation of CT imaging potential for bioarchaeology of care research in mummy studies is recommended. (Source: International Journal of Paleopathology)
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - February 22, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Editorial Board
Publication date: March 2019Source: International Journal of Paleopathology, Volume 24Author(s): (Source: International Journal of Paleopathology)
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - February 16, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

New world origin of canine distemper: Interdisciplinary insights
ConclusionsThe measles epidemics that decimated indigenous South American populations in the 1500–1700 s likely facilitated the establishment of CDV as a canine pathogen, which eventually spread to Europe and beyond.SignificanceUnderstanding the historical and environmental conditions that have driven morbilliviral evolution provides important insights into potential future threats of animal/human cross-species infections.LimitationsInterpreting historical disease descriptions is difficult and the archaeological specimens are limited. Molecular sequence data and codon usage analyses rely on modern viruses.Suggestions f...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - February 9, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Care or Neglect?: Evidence of Animal Disease in Archaeology, L. Bartosiewicz, E. Gál (Eds.). Oxbow Books Limited, Oxford (2018), 300 pp
Publication date: March 2019Source: International Journal of Paleopathology, Volume 24Author(s): Robin Bendrey (Source: International Journal of Paleopathology)
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - February 5, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Brucellosis in an adult female from Fate Bell Rock Shelter, Lower Pecos, Texas (4000–1300 BP)
ConclusionsAside from this study, only one other case of brucellosis has been recognized in prehistoric North American hunter-gatherer skeletal remains.SignificanceThis individual represents the first case of brucellosis in a hunter-gatherer from prehistoric North America diagnosed using both macroscopic skeletal analysis and computed tomography (CT).LimitationsPoor preservation of vertebrae make cross comparison of remains and differential diagnosis difficult.Suggestions for further researchFurther review and paleopathological research is needed regarding Coxiella burnetti (Q-fever) infection as a possible contributing fa...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - February 1, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

A singular case of advanced caries sicca in a pre-Columbian skull from East Tennessee
ConclusionsBurial G unequivocally exhibits the pathognomonic reactive changes of caries sicca, radial scarring, and cavitating lesions.SignificanceThe Early Woodland date in combination with the advanced degree of pathognomonic reactive change is exceptional, and to date, without parallel in the pre-Columbian archaeological record of North America. Any case approaching the severity displayed here is invariably late prehistoric.LimitationsThe absence of postcrania does not permit assessment of frailty or synergism of secondary conditions.Suggestions for further researchMore comprehensive documentation of pre-Columbian trepo...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - January 24, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

The association between skeletal lesions and tuberculosis diagnosis using a probabilistic approach
Publication date: Available online 17 January 2019Source: International Journal of PaleopathologyAuthor(s): Dorthe Dangvard Pedersen, George R. Milner, Hans Jørn Kolmos, Jesper Lier BoldsenAbstractSensitivity and specificity estimates for 18 skeletal lesions were generated from modern skeletons for future paleoepidemiological analyses of tuberculosis prevalence in archaeological samples. A case-control study was conducted using 480 skeletons from 20th century American skeletal collections. One-half of the skeletons were documented tuberculosis cases (Terry Collection). The remaining age and sex-matched skeletons were cont...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - January 18, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

A paleopathological approach to early human adaptation for wet-rice agriculture: The first case of Neolithic spinal tuberculosis at the Yangtze River Delta of China
Publication date: March 2019Source: International Journal of Paleopathology, Volume 24Author(s): Kenji Okazaki, Hirofumi Takamuku, Shiori Yonemoto, Yu Itahashi, Takashi Gakuhari, Minoru Yoneda, Jie ChenAbstractThe earliest evidence of human tuberculosis can be traced to at least the early dynastic periods, when full-scaled wet-rice agriculture began or entered its early developmental stages, in circum-China countries (Japan, Korea, and Thailand). Early studies indicated that the initial spread of tuberculosis coincided with the development of wet-rice agriculture. It has been proposed that the adaptation to agriculture cha...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - January 17, 2019 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

The antiquity of the spondyloarthritides: Presentation of one of the oldest Neolithic cases in Western Europe
We report a paleopathological case of European origin, dated from the late Neolithic (3621-3023 cal BC), consisting of an isolated vertebral block combining erosion, ossification and severe anterior and posterior ankylosis. The lesional presentation is very suggestive of a severe form of axial spondyloarthritis. This specimen and some other rare cases from the same period found in Western Europe suggest that these diseases appeared, in this geographical region, in evolving groups of humans as part of the demographic and epidemiological transition that constituted the Neolithic period. The emergence of infectious agents a...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - December 30, 2018 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

The ice age with little effect? Exploring stress in the Danish Black Friars cemetery before and after the turn of the 14th century
This study focuses on the Black Friars population (13th-17th centuries) to explore changes in stress in Denmark at the onset of the Little Ice Age. This study specifically explores the periods before and after the turn of the 14th century. Forty-five adult individuals were analyzed for cribra orbitalia, porotic hyperostosis, and enamel hypoplastic lesions. Results showed no statistically significant differences between the prevalence of these stress indicators between either time period; however, reduced age at death and increased lesion frequency was more prevalent post-1300. It was expected that increased stress would be...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - December 28, 2018 Category: Pathology Source Type: research