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Paradise lost: Evidence for a devastating metabolic bone disease in an insular Pleistocene deer
ConclusionsThe deer of Mavromouri caves were affected by severe metabolic bone disease, likely nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism. We hypothesize a multifactorial cause, including overgrazing, flora senescence, soil mineral deficiencies, and a prolonged period of climate extremes, degrading the Cretan deer habitat.ValueThis is the first evidence of a metabolic bone disease causing this level of destructive pathology in an insular fossil deer.LimitationsThe lack of absolute chronometric dates for the site limits potential linking with the prevailing environmental conditions.Suggestions for further researchInvestigati...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - December 19, 2018 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

The Viking Age: A Time of Many Faces, Caroline Ahlstrom Arcini, Oxbow Books, Oxford & Philadelphia, PA (2018). 120 pp.
Publication date: March 2019Source: International Journal of Paleopathology, Volume 24Author(s): Larissa Collier (Source: International Journal of Paleopathology)
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - December 19, 2018 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Editorial Board
Publication date: December 2018Source: International Journal of Paleopathology, Volume 23Author(s): (Source: International Journal of Paleopathology)
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - December 18, 2018 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Multiple myeloma in paleopathology: A critical review
Publication date: March 2019Source: International Journal of Paleopathology, Volume 24Author(s): Giulia Riccomi, Gino Fornaciari, Valentina GiuffraAbstractThis paper provides a critical literature review concerning paleopathological evidence of multiple myeloma discovered both in the Old and in the New World. A critical assessment of the bioarchaeological and paleopathological documentary sources permitted to identify a total of 25 ascertained cases of multiple myeloma from different geographical areas in the world ranging from Prehistoric times up to the Contemporary age. The distribution of multiple myeloma findings in p...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - December 8, 2018 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Tuberculosis in medieval and early modern Denmark: A paleoepidemiological perspective
Publication date: Available online 3 December 2018Source: International Journal of PaleopathologyAuthor(s): Dorthe Dangvard Pedersen, George R. Milner, Hans Jørn Kolmos, Jesper Lier BoldsenAbstractMillions of people worldwide have sickened and died from tuberculosis in recent centuries. Yet for most of human existence, the impact of tuberculosis on society is largely unknown. It is, indeed, unknowable without methods suitable for estimating disease prevalence in skeletal samples. Here such a procedure is applied to medieval and early modern Danish skeletons, and it shows how disease prevalence varied with differences in s...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - December 4, 2018 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Healed impact trauma to a Neolithic cattle frontal bone: A posthuman perspective
We report such evidence from a healed blunt-force impact trauma to the frontal bone of a domestic cattle skull from Beckhampton Road Neolithic long barrow, Wiltshire. The injury suggests a failed attempt at slaughter. To our knowledge, this is the first such report for domestic cattle from the British Neolithic. We contextualise this discovery, drawing on research into the role and meaning of faunal remains from Neolithic long barrows in Wiltshire. This work has been undertaken from a posthuman perspective. Thus, we demonstrate the opportunities for paleopathologists to inform and engage within posthumanist interpretative ...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - December 4, 2018 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Note From the Editors-in-Chief
Publication date: Available online 1 December 2018Source: International Journal of PaleopathologyAuthor(s): Jane E. Buikstra, Anne L. Grauer (Source: International Journal of Paleopathology)
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - December 2, 2018 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Serious chronic disease of the cervical spine and trauma in a young female from the middle ages (Czech Republic)
Publication date: March 2019Source: International Journal of Paleopathology, Volume 24Author(s): Kateřina Kalová, Kateřina Boberová, Renáta Přichystalová, Jan Nováček, Ivana Jarošová, Tomáš Zikmund, Jozef Kaiser, Klaudia Kyselicová, Lukáš Šebest, Marián Baldovič, Adam Frtús, Martin Sikora, Morten E. AllentoftAbstractThe skeletal remains of the young female (20–24 years) from Grave JP/106, discovered in the Southern Suburb of the Břeclav – Pohansko Stronghold (Early Middle Ages, 9th century-beginning of the 10th century, present day Czech Republic) display several noteworthy pathologies. The first i...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - November 28, 2018 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

A tale of two cities: A comparison of urban and rural trauma in Medieval Denmark
ConclusionsThe division and variation in trauma between the two cemeteries is most likely related to differences in economy and occupation.SignificanceThere are relatively few studies that examine the difference in inherent risk of trauma between rural and urban Medieval communities, especially in Denmark. This research also adds to the growing body of literature in paleopathology that uses epidemiology to explore the parallels between patterns of trauma and community lifeways.LimitationsThe cemeteries are approximately 5 km distance from each other so similarities in the sample could be a result of location.Suggestions ...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - November 25, 2018 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Evaluation of lesion burden in a bone-by-bone comparison of osteological and radiological methods of analysis
ConclusionsSex-related differences in correlations were likely influenced by the presence, in females, of lesions affecting the entire skeleton (e.g., osteoporosis). Greater correlations between analytical modalities were observed for long bones.SignificanceOur findings quantify the contexts in which radiological and osteological evaluations converge and diverge and discuss the implications of these results for lesion burden interpretation.LimitationsGeneralizability, potential subjectivity of evaluative methods.Suggestions for Further ResearchAssessment of another study collection using the same methods, to determine if t...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - November 24, 2018 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Evidence of congenital block vertebra in Pleistocene Cave Bear (Ursus spelaeus) from Cueva de Guantes (Palencia, Spain)
ConclusionsThe lack of clear radiological and macroscopic evidence of degenerative processes and trauma suggests a congenital anomaly or pathology. The short height of the ventral margin of the block and evidence of a radiological ‘waist’ lead us to propose congenital block vertebra (CBV) as the most likely diagnosis.SignificanceThe Cueva de Guantes specimen would be the first reported evidence of CBV in a Pleistocene cave bear (Ursus spelaeus).LimitationsAll diagnosis of archaeological animal remains should be undertaken with caution, especially when based on partial remains, as in this case. Moreover, this specimen l...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - November 21, 2018 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

The people behind the samples: Biographical features of Past Hunter-Gatherers from KwaZulu-Natal who yielded aDNA
ConclusionsDental wear and trauma of the adults are consistent with hunter-gatherer lives. Even partial aDNA evidence contributes to sex determination. Parasitic infection such as schistosomiasis is the best-fit cause for the child’s anemia in this case.Contribution to knowledgeThe convergence of genomic and bioarchaeological approaches expands our knowledge of the past lives of a boy and two men whose lives as hunter-gatherers included episodes of trauma and disease.LimitationsThe skeletons are incomplete, in variable condition, and from poorly characterized local cultural contexts.Suggestions for further researchThorou...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - November 4, 2018 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

New case of concha bullosa from Bronze Age Iberia (Granada, Spain)
ConclusionsThe maxillary sinuses of this female showed no signs of sinusitis related to theconcha bullosa.SignificanceThis study provides new evidence on the chronological limits of this condition. The particular funeral rites of these populations have preserved the majority of skeletons at this site in an excellent condition.LimitationsThe identification ofconcha bullosa continues to be rare in ancient populations, in part due to the poor preservation of nasal bones in archeological collections.Suggestions for further research: Detailed study of the nasal cavity of adequately preserved individuals can be expected to ident...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - November 3, 2018 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Diagnosis by consensus: A case study in the importance of interdisciplinary interpretation of mummified remains
ConclusionsThe process of diagnosis by consensus is essential to the analysis of mummified remains, which are complexly altered through natural and anthropogenic processes in the millennia subsequent to the individual’s death.SignificanceMummy paleoimaging and paleopathology lacks a unifying set of standards. We present an example of the value to be found in the multi-disciplinary diagnosis by consensus approach.LimitationsWe discuss numerous challenges to accurate and meaningful interpretation that radiography of mummified remains pose.Suggestions for Further ResearchWhile the authors do not seek to impose any single se...
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - October 31, 2018 Category: Pathology Source Type: research

Mastoid osteoma in a prehispanic cranium (1390 A.D.) from Northern Chile
ConclusionsThis case adds new evidence regarding the antiquity of primary neoplasms in ancient populations and reinforces the importance of high resolution imaging in paleopathological research.SignificanceDue to the antiquity of the remains this is probably the oldest reported case of mastoid osteoma.LimitationsThe patrimonial nature of the remains did not allow histopathological studies.Suggestions for Further ResearchFurther intensive review of archeological skeletal collections is needed to better understand the epidemiology of neoplastic lesions in past populations. (Source: International Journal of Paleopathology)
Source: International Journal of Paleopathology - October 27, 2018 Category: Pathology Source Type: research