3 - -I I September 1986

Madrid, Spain

A HUMAN SKULL FROM THE MINOAN SITE, KOMMOS, CRETE

P.J. Anderson (U.S.A.)

A part ial human skul l was uncovered in 1982 during the excavations o f a building at the site o f Kommos, near Phaistos. LM I I I sherds were present near t he skull, but no related bones were found. The skul l lacked mandible, maxilla, and most of the zygoma and facial bones. Two i r regular fenestra- tions were present in the le f t cranium. X-rays disclosed that approximately 70% o f the skul l was fossilized, but inner and outer tables o f the calvaria were clearly defined. The sutures were fused in the pat tern of a young adult. The sella turc ia was normal. The frontal sinuses were aerated but extremely small.

The configuration and measurements suggest that the sku l l was that o f a young male. The significance of t he calvarial defects i s uncertain. X-rays disclosed no osteoblastic I healing1 reaction a t t h e margins o f associated ' fracture1 lines. The context o f t he discovery site suggests that t he skul l dates from 1200 to 1600 B.C. (LM I 1 1 to MM I l l ) , al though several o ther possibilities must be considered and attempts a t more precise dat ing a re in progress.

MICROSTRUCTURAL ALTERATIONS IN BURNED BONES FROM A NEOLITHIC TOMB AT SAINT-LEONARD, WALLIS, SWITZERLAND

C.A. Baud, A. Susini and A. Wetz (Switzerland)

Th is cist, the contents o f which are described here, was excavated in a Middle Neolithic site a t Saint Leonard, dat ing to about 3500-2800 B.C. Numerous bone fragments were scattered on t he bottom o f the cist. It i s a t once clear that these bone fragments have been burned: the organic components are missing, and the mineral substance recrystall ized. The microscopic and microradiographic aspects a re unusual : t he osteocyte lacunae are enlarged o r surrounded by an i r regu la r l y mineralized area. Similar aspects have been reported in various pathological conditions, such as fluorosis, vitamin D resistant r ickets, renal osteodystrophy, and osteogenesis imperfecta tarda.

However, in the present case, t he topographic d is t r ibut ion o f the lesions is dif ferent, sparing t he subsurface layers o f t he bones o r bone fragments. Such a s t ructure i s typical o f a postmortem bacterial attack. Thus, it i s probable that ou r specimens were a t f i r s t inhumed and contaminated by soil microorganisms, and shor t ly afterwards exposed (doubtless accidentally) to a f i r e that arrested the bacterial resorbing action a t t he ear ly stages.

DISLOCATION AND/OR CONGENITAL MALFORMATION OF THE SHOULDER JOINT

P. Bennike (Denmark)

The subject presented i s a medieval skeleton, o f an approximately 16 year o ld boy, excavated from a Danish cemetery. It reveals several pathologic changes, probably due t o congenital malformation, of which t he most intriguing i s seen a t both scapulae, w i th t he changes being bi lateral ly symmetric. Both t he glenoid cavities a re placed posterior but a t t h e normal height o f t he bone. The joints a re almost perpendicular t o t he i r normal direct ion. The size o f the glenoid cavities i s normal, and the shape i s ra ther f la t in accordance w i t h the development stage o f t he skeleton, where t he epiphysis of t he r im has not yet appeared t o form t h e gent ly concave fossa normally seen in adults. Both the surface and t he borderl ines o f the glenoid cavities are more i r regu la r than normal a t that age.

The position o f t he joints may b e caused by dislocation and /o r congenital mal- formation. Because o f t he shape o f the cavities, the symmetric bi lateral i ty, and the minor congenital malformations, it i s believed t o b e caused pr imar i ly b y congenital malformation. Probably the young man was not much affected by the malformation o f t he shoulder joints, as is indicated b y t he normal form and size o f the humeri and t he well developed muscle attachments o f t he bones. The claviculae seem shorter and more twisted than normal, which may be caused by a twist ing o f t he scapulae, so the glenoid cavities may have pointed almost in the normal direction, in spite o f t he malformation. As f a r as we know, no similar case has been described in clinical observation o r in skeletal f inds.

DENTAL PATHOLOGY AND DENTAL WEAR OF THE MIDDLE PLEISTOCENE HOMlNlDS FROM ATAPUERCA, SPAIN

J .M. Bermudez de Castro and A. Rosas (Spain)

The Middle Pleistocene hominid fossil sample found in the Sierra de Atapuerca (Sima de 10s Huesos, Cueva Mayor) in 1976, 1984 and 1985, i s composed o f 11 9 cranial, dental, mandibular and postcranial remains belonging t o a t least ten individuals. A total of 56 teeth, 43 catalogued as isolated specimens and 13 preserved in jaws, constitutes the dental sample from Atapuerca. These teeth, as well as the jaws, were examined f o r possible pathological evidence (caries, hypoplasia, calculqs, parodontal disease, etc.). For example, the teeth were examined w i th a-binocular lens, in a search f o r hypoplast ic defects, as arrested growth due t o diseases, malnutr i t ion o r o ther metabolic d isorders had been observed as Harr is l ines in the long bones of one individual. Fur ther - more, we studied the tooth wear in relat ion t o t he problem of t he di f ferent ia l wear o f the anter ior dent i t ion w i th regard t o t he postcanine. The tooth wear o f the Atapuerca indiv iduals was compared w i th tha t o f o ther Pleistocene hominids. The human f o y i l s from Atapuerca, as well as o ther fossils o f t he Middle Pleistocene, RissIWurm Interglacial, and Wdrm 1-11 climatic phases,

show a greater wear o n t he anter ior dent i t ion than o n the postcanine. A n opposite pat tern i s observed in later and in living populations. The possible explanations o f these changes are discussed.

OSTEOCHONDROMA (CARTILAGINOUS EXOSTOSIS)

D. A. B i r ke t t (England)

An examination was made f o r t h e presence o f osteochondroma in var ious ancient populations. Six examples were found in approximately 1500 indivi- duals. A l l were round t he knee joint, 4 on the t ib ia and 2 on the femur ( 1 o f the femoral examples being bi lateral). F ive were in men and one in a woman. Only one example was thought large enough t o have caused symptoms during life. A n examination o f a t h i ck section from one lesion confirmed the normal trabecular pat tern o f the bone inside t he tumour, w i t h a r im o f normal cortex running from the shaf t o f the long bone round t he tumour, thus indicat ing tha t t he tumour was merely an extension o f t he normal bone.

STUDY OF A TREPANNED SKULL BELONGING TO THE NEOLITHIC PERIOD, FROM THE SITE OF TAN TINTORE' IN GAVA (BARCELONA), SPAIN

D. Campillo (Spain)

The exhumation o f th i s sku l l f rom the Neolithic per iod i s o f great in terest f o r the s tudy o f cranial trepanation in Catalonia, because it i s a double trepanation in a young adul t male, performed b y abrasion. The long surv iva l o f th i s indiv idual and t he abundant remains o f t he postcranial skeleton that s t i l l ex ist demonstrate some aspects o f t he pathology o f th i s case, and also te l l us something about o ther prehistor ic trepanned skul ls found in Catalonia.

ANOMALIES OF THE SKULL BASE OF CANARY ABORIGINALS AND OBSERVATION OF VASCULAR IMPRESSIONS ON THE FRONTAL BONE

J .M. Carretero and P.J. Perez (Spain)

Th is work has been car r ied out o n numeroGs cranial remains o f aboriginal Canarians housed in the Archaeological Museum o f Santa Cruz de Tener i fe (Spain). The frequency o f the following anomalies on the base o f the sku l l has been studied : labia foraminis magni, processus basialis, condylus ter t ius, processus paracondyleus, canalis hipoglossis b ipart i to, double occipital condyle, osseous spine on the anter ior pa r t o f t he foramen magnum, and assimilation o f t he atlas. In addition, t he vascular impressions o n the

external face o f the f rontal bone have been examined. There i s no evidence on th is bone o f scarifications, as has been suggested by some authors regarding the Canary Aboriginals.

SOME VERY RARE CASES OF CRANIAL PATHOLOGY IN THE LATE MIDDLE AGES IN SOUTHWEST FRANCE

E. Crubdzy and J. Zammit (France)

Three rare cases o f cranial pathology are described in detail. The skeleton o f an adul t male from the abbey o f Valmagne (Herault) dated to the 14th-16th century has a malformation in the craniovertebral region: condylar and lateral mass dysplasia, processus epitransversarius art iculate w i th the skul l base a t the outer par t o f the foramen magnum, spina bi f ida o f t he atlas, dysplasia o f the odontoid process, and concavity o f t he art icular facets o f t he superior pa r t o f the axis. The skul l o f an adul t male more than 40 years old from t h e cemetery (St Hilaire, Aude), dated t o the 14th-16th century, has a round lesion two centimeters in diameter, which i s interpreted as an hemangioma. The skul l o f a chi ld ( 5 t o 10 years old) from the Mairac cemetery, dated t o t he 13th-15th century, is abnormally large and a diagnosis o f hydrocephalus i s possible.

PSEUDOTREPHINATION OF THE SKULL

T. Dzieriykray-Rogalski (Poland)

Trephination i s one o f t he oldest surgical procedures performed in al l par ts o f t he world since Paleolithic times. It should, however, be di f ferent iated from the damage t o the skul l made in the course o f exploration o f bones. Skul l in jur ies from early childhood could also suggest trephination. Also, many diseases, such as tuberculosis, syphil is, localized osteomyelitis, mycosis, cysts, and neoplastic metastases, could be confused w i th trephination. The l i te ra ture i s r i ch in descriptions o f new cases o f trephination, as th is apparent ly easy t o diagnose i n j u r y o f t he bones o f t he skul l can be seen even by an inexperienced scientist. Cases o f pseudotrephination a re f requent ly described, and these should be dif ferentiated on the basis o f t he v e r y characterist ic features o f trephination.

VIOLENT INJURY IN AN INDIVI~UAL FROM THE NEOLITHIC PERIOD

F. ~ t x e b e r r i a (Spain)

It is not usual to find evidence o f in jury , as described here, among the

human remains from the prehistor ic ages o f Spain. The discovery o f a n arrow- head o f silex lodged in a human coxal bone, from t h e s i te o f San Juan Ante Portam Latinam (Alava, Spain), whose chronology seems t o be centred in the Neolithic per iod (approximately 2,000 B. C. ) , consti tutes the oldest indication o f human violence found t o date in the Basque country. It has t o b e consid- ered as exceptional, and it should b e mentioned that t he arrowhead remained as a foreign body in t he individual, who surv ived t h e wound.

A FATAL INJURY OF THE CRANIUM FROM THE LATE HELLADIC Ill B1 I N THEVES: ETIOLOGY AND RESULTS

M. Foundoulakis (Greece)

Several human skeletal remains were unearthed f rom the Mycenean palace in Theves. The sku l l o f a young female i s o f special interest because o f a depressed detached f rac tu re in the middle o f the cranium vaul t tha t was produced by a violent blow. From the morphological examination o f the f racture, it i s assumed tha t t he i n j u r y was caused by a sharp object hitting the skul l a t the transversal axis, coming from above a t t he rear and t o t he right. Th is deduction i s confirmed by the three asteroid l ines o f the fracture. The trauma i s angular in shape, and t he exocranium dimensions are 38 mm anteroposterior axis and 39 mm a t the transversal axis. In addition, the endocranial surface indicates a detachment measuring 7 mm. Fur ther biomechanical and statistical analyses wil l b e conducted t o determine t h e probable mechanism o f t he vaul t fracture.

IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY IN MUMMIFIED TISSUES: A PROBLEM IN PALEOPATHOLOGY

E. Fulcheri and E. Rabino Massa ( I ta l y )

In order t o v e r i f y t h e l imits and perspectives o f immunohistochemistry in paleopathology, we tested various antibodies on di f ferent samples o f mummified tissue. Conventional histology was performed o n 14 unselected 'paleocristiane' I tal ian mummies, on 7 dynastic and on 7 predynastic unselected Egypt ian mummies, in o rder t o ve r i f y if there were dif ferences due t o d i f ferent processes o f mummification among t he samples studied. From each subject, skin, vessels and muscle were examined, p lus o ther selected specimens from the Egypt ian mummies. We investigated some cytoskeleton proteins using t he Avidin- Biotin-Peroxidase Complex (ABC) technique.

The muscular tissues o f I tal ian mummies were negative t o t he antisera used; it i s probable that the environmental conditions did not permit a fast process o f mummification, and consequently t he tissues' antigenic propert ies were destroyed. Muscular t issue o f t h e Egyptian mummies was posit ive even when it was homogeneous. We therefore think tha t immunoperoxid ase techniques

are more suitable f o r Egyptian mummies, probably because o f t he dif ference in the mummification process. We obtained d i f ferent results from case t o case, and therefore, a t the present time, t he use o f immunoperoxidase methods in paleopathology i s not completely reliable.

PATHOLOGY OF THE ATAPUERCA CAVE LATE BRONZE AGE INDIVIDUALS (BURGOS, SPAIN)

M. D. Garralda and V. Galera (Spain)

Pathological changes in the human remains found in the 'Galerfa del Sgex8 (Atapuerca, Burgos), from the Late Bronze Age, were analysed. Among them, a ch i ld w i th c r ib ra orbital ia and various cases o f paradontal disease must be noted. The incidence o f caries was also studied, showing a frequency (4.3%) similar t o that o f the Gorafe dolmens population (4.35%) and. h igher than the Muge series (2.4%), i l lus t ra t ing t he increase o f t h i s condit ion during time. The paleodemographic s t ruc tu re o f the Atapuerca population (43% infants, 20% juvenile, 32% adults, no middle aged o r o ld indiv iduals) could explain t he absence of various k inds o f diseases such as a r t h r i t i s tha t have a h igher f requency among people o f more advanced years. Also wor thy o f note i s the small surgical scraping evident in the f ronta l bone o f one of t he more immature skul ls o f th i s site.

A CASE OF SUPERNUMERARY MASTOID PROCESS IN A MEDIEVAL SKULL FROM SANTILLANA DEL MAR, CANTABRIA (SPAIN)

F. G6mez Bellard, J. Cobo and J.A. Sanchez SAnchez (Spain)

Excavations at Santillana del Mar, Cantabria (Spain) of fered osteological material from the late Middle Ages. One sku l l o f th is material shows a n excrescence in the mastoid process located in the middle l ine o f t he squamous port ion o f the occipital bone, between in ion and the right normal mastoid process. We describe t h i s in f requent phenomenon and discuss t he possibi l i ty o f an heredi tary o r ig in o f t h e supernumerary mastoid process.

EVIDENCE FOR HEALTH IN THE PAST -- THE PALAEOPATHOLOGICAL CONTRIBUTION : A CASE STUDY FROM WHARRAM PERCY, YORKSHIRE

J . Henderson ( England)

Health has been defined as 'a state o f complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence o f disease o r in f i rmi ty ' (World Health Organisation). Attempts a t the evaluation o f heal th status in archaeological

populations re ly heavi ly f o r the i r evidence on human remains, generally bones and teeth. Such limited data can y ie ld only restr ic ted information, as few pathological conditions, whether physical o r mental, actually leave identi f iable traces on the skeleton. The aim o f th is paper i s t o ut i l ise a case s tudy -- that o f t he deserted mediaeval vil lage o f Wharram Percy in the Yorkshire Wolds -- to describe and discuss t he palaeopathological contr ibut ion to the s tudy of health in the past. The various categories o f palaeopathological data are outlined, including congenital, developmental, and acquired condit- ions. Discussion revolves around the relevance o f these data relat ive t o other sources o f information (demographic, environmental, and historical) . Finally, an overal l assessment i s made o f the extent t o which present methods o f analysis allow statements t o be made about health in the past.

PATHOLOGY FROM A MEDIEVAL CHURCHYARD

P. Holck (Norway)

In Tdnsborg, t he oldest c i t y in Norway, archaeological excavations have taken place during the last three years. The remnants o f t he par ish church o f St. Peter, wi th i t s last undisturbed pa r t o f t he o ld churchyard, was discovered at that time, and the skeletons o f more than 1000 individuals were unearthed. These have given valuable information about t he health conditions in medieval Norway.

EFFECTS OF LIFE CONDITIONS ON A SLAVE POPULATION FROM SURINAME

M.R. Khudabux and G.J .R. Maat (Suriname and the Netherlands)

Analysis o f skeletal remains o f slaves o f Afr ican ancestry from a bur ia l place on the cotton plantation Waterloo in Suriname (South America) elucidates con- dit ions o f l i f e among the slave population. The plantation and i t s bur ia l place had been in use from 1793196 t o 1861 A.D. Fif ty-seven bur ia ls were explored and mapped, o f which th i r ty -e ight contained almost complete skeletons. Interest ing demographic results appeared t o be an unequal sex rat io and a peak mortal i ty o f adults in the age a t death interval o f 40-44 years. Gross bone examination revealed a high incidence o f an infectious disease wi th mult iple bone lesions: treponematosis. Several individuals demonstrated skul l lesions, spongy hyperostosis, due t o severe anemia. Growth conditions were generally studied by means o f growth ar rest lines (Harris 's lines) in the distal par t o f t he tibia. Carious lesions related t o diet and occlusal wear ghannels related t o pipe smoking practices also i l lustrated aspects o f local living conditions.

COMPARATIVE STUDY OF BONE AND JOINT PATHOLOGY IN ANCIENT POPULATIONS OF SWITZERLAND

C. Kramar, R. Lagier and C.-A. Baud (Switzerland)

Th is s tudy concerned three populations o f adul ts from western Switzerland and from d i f ferent periods: A - Middle Neolithic (3500 - 2800 B.C.), 90-109 subjects; B - early Middle Ages (400 - 700 A.D.), 40-69 subjects; C - Middle Ages (1 000 - 1500 A. D.), 11 0-1 30 subjects. We have observed osseous and ar t icu lar changes. The osseous indicated: congenital malformations, stress indicators (c r ib ra orbitalia, Harr is lines, enamel hypoplasia) , trauma, infections, and tumors. The ar t icu lar indicated: g rowth disorders ( h i p subluxations, vertebral osteochondrosis, Schmorl's nodes), erosive arthropathies suggestive o f infectious o r rheumatoid or ig in, ankylosing spondyl i t is, osteo- a r t h r i t i s w i th evidence o f bone eburnation. In addition, d i f fuse enthesopathic hyperostosis was observed in the axial and appendicular skeleton. We see a deteriorat ion o f t he health status from the Neolithic t o t he Middle Ages, especially fo r the c r ib ra orbital ia (3% in A, 23% in B, 10% in C), t he enamel hypoplasia (4% in A and B, 9% in C), the joint pathology, and hyperostosis. Osteoarthri t is in t h e axial skeleton was twice as common in medieval groups (15-20%) as in the neol i thic (9%); in relation t o A (26%), the f requency o f vertebral osteochond'rosis was doubled in g roup B and t r ip led in C.

CREMATION OF A DISEASED MATURE FEMALE FROM THE EARLY LATENE PERIOD

I. ~ u h l (Germany)

In th is relat ively extensive cremation (1195 g) w i t h normal age changes, there are, in al l preserved remnants o f vertebrae, r ibs, scapulae and pelvis, mult iple port ions o f various sizes w i th pronounced fine-meshy spongy tissue, as well as some rari f icat ions in t h e vertebral bodies. These changes do not appear in the spongy par ts o f t h e sku l l o r t he extremities, e.g. caput humeri o r femoris. In addition, the surfaces o f a l l ver tebrae and pelvic remnants are covered w i th f inest bony structures, which g i ve them a sandl ike o r coke- l i ke consistency. Surfaces o f t h e rib fragments a re smooth, as i s normal. These appearances seem t o b e pathological in nature, but no diagnosis has yet been made. There i s no record in t h e l i te ra ture o f similar f indings from a cremation.

MAXI LLO-DENTAL PALAEOPATHOLOGY IN NEOLITHIC BRONZE AGE POPULATIONS FROM THE PRESENT TERRITORY OF ARAGON

J. I. Lorenzo Lizalde (Spain)

The population studied consists o f about 68 indiv iduals from 19 sites, on ly

three known before. The most important paleopathological injuries observed were maxi llo-dental processes. Caries were already present in earl ier popula- tions (Chaves, Huesca) , although the frequency was v e r y low, even zero, in the same site. On the other hand, a large number o f periodontosis processes was found in most sites. These were related to t he formation o f bacterial plaque, as is test i f ied by the persistence o f fossil ta r ta r deposits. We have three dental pieces from the Campaniform period, from Foz de Escalete (Huesca), which show art i f ic ia l wear macro-grooves. These grooves seem to be related to gingivit ical processes present in the same pieces. They could be related to practices connected wi th the pathological processes.

TUBERCULOSIS: AN EVOLUTIONARY MODEL

Keith Manchester (England)

The two bacteria, M. bovis and M. tuberculosis, are both causative' organisms o f tuberculosis in mankind. M. bovis infection in cat t le i s a catt le population - - - - ~

density dependent disease. M. tuberculosis infect ion in mankind i s .a human powulation density dependent disease. It i s proposed that the prevalence of iuberculosis in c&tle'increased wi th the advent i f herding, and, a t th is time in history, sedentary human groups f i r s t experienced repeated exposure, by ingestion, to tuberculous pathogens. Tuberculosis was thus established as an endemic primary gastrointestinal human disease, w i th intrapopulat ion trans- mission not from man t o man, but from catt le t o man. It i s proposed that the crucial change in human tuberculosis from a mainly pr imary gastrointestinal disease to primary pulmonary disease occurred wi th t he closer association o f catt le and man in joint dwellings. The long-house environment favoured the transmission o f M. bovis from catt le to man via t he pulmonary route by droplet infection. The long-house was t he keystone t o the development o f the popu- lation density dependent human pulmonary tuberculosis. The taxonomic relationship bf M: bovis and M. tuberculdsis in th is respect may ref lect av 'opportunist' microevolution.

THE CONNECTIONS OF TOOTH ANOMALIES I N PALEOANTHROPOLOGICAL MATERIAL

A. Marcsik and G. Kocsis (Hungary)

Simplification o f tooth shape often goes hand in hand w i th diminution in size. Anomalies in tooth shape and size are often only micromanifestations o f a genetically determined reduction in number, and can often be t he cause o f changes in the position o r impaction o f teeth. A t t he same time, pa r t o f t he structural anomalies can also be connected w i th changes in tooth shape. The authors repor t on various tooth anomalies (formal, numerical, positional, structural, etc. ) and analyse the i r connections in paleoanthropological material from di f ferent centuries in Hungary.

HUMAN DISEASE IN THE MEDIEVAL PERIOD IN LA RlOJA

J. ~ a r t f n e z Florez and P. Diez Ripolles (Spain)

As Director of the Physical Anthropology Department at the Rioja Museum, I receive human osseous remains from various archaeological excavations made in our autonomous community, and these are now of appreciable significance.

' In th is communication, we present some of the results obtained over the years. Relating these to the literature, we present a catalogue o f the osseous anomalies that are quite typical of disease sequelae found in osseous remains. We shall also show some pieces that are di f f icul t to diagnose and, in our judgment, are o f great interest. Although medieval remains have not been found in certain areas, we feel that the collection presented here constitutes an acceptable sample o f the medieval period in La Rioja and the diseases present there at that time.

PALEOPATHOLOGICAL IDENTIFICATION OF HYPEROSTOTIC DISEASE (FORESTIER'S DISEASE, DISH)

G. Morlock (France)

Hyperostotic disease (H. D.) i s a condition f i r s t described in 1950 b y J. Forestier and J. Rotes-Querol. It is also known as Forestier's disease, ankylosing hyperostosis o f the spine, spondylosis hyperostotica, and (more recently) diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis o r DISH. It is a skeletal disorder characterized by excessive bone formation at ligament and tendon attachment sites. The antiquity o f H.D. is well documented, but i t s description as a distinct ent i ty is lacking in major paleopathological texts. It is st i l l mis- diagnosed as a severe form o f spinal osteoarthritis. A good knowledge o f paleopathological aspects of the disease i s thus needed t o avoid misinterpreta- tion o f paleoepidemiological data.

Guidelines for the identification o f H.D. in intact skeletons, incomplete skeletons, and disarticulated bone are proposed. The analysis o f spinal and peripheral overgrowths or ossifications can thus lead to a diagnosis of definite, probable, o r possible H.D. Every study o f skeletal changes in ancient popu- lations should take these changes into account before g iv ing an interpretation on the frequency o f arthr i t is.

SKELETAL EVIDENCE OF PRFCOLUMBIAN TREPONEMAL DISEASE IN NORTH AMERICA

D.J. Ortner (U.S.A.)

The history of treponemal diseases in the Old and New Worlds remains a problem having both historical and biological significance. Four syndromes

o f treponemal disease affect the skeleton: 1) yaws; 2) treponarid (also known as bejel o r endemic syphil is); 3) venereal syphil is; 4) congenital syphil is. The mode o f transmission i s a major factor in the expression o f these syndromes; there i s no detectable dif ference in the organism. Th is mode i s affected b y cul tural and environmental factors that resulted in the geographical pat tern in the world-wide d is t r ibut ion o f t he syndromes. In the New World there i s increasing evidence fo r the presence o f treponemal disease before t h e a r r i va l o f Columbus. In the Smithsonian collections there are four specimens from the United States that provide evidence o f t he ant iqu i ty o f th is disease and i t s broad geographical d istr ibut ion in Nor th America.

From the state o f Virg in ia in the Mid-Atlantic region, there are two specimens. One (NMNH 385788) i s an adul t male about 25-35 years o f age from a site dated by carbon fourteen to 925 A. D.The second (NMNH 379177) i s the skeleton o f a six year old child, probably dated to the prehistor ic period. An incomplete skeleton o f an adult female from Arkansas (NMNH 258778) provides probable evidence of treponemal disease in the southern pa r t o f t he United States. Associated art i facts suggest a date in the late prehistor ic period. The last case is an adult female from a site in the American Southwest. Most o f t he associated cul tural materials are prehistoric, but there i s an histor ic component that could be associated wi th the skull. Al though di f ferent ia l diagnosis wi th other infectious diseases i s of ten troublesome in archaeological specimens, the overall pat tern in the four cases seems suggestive o f treponemal disease.

PALEOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY OF URSIDS FROM THE PLEISTOCENE-HOLOCENE IN THE IBERIAN PENINSULA

P.J. Pdrez, O.T. Gonz6lez, J.L. Frai le and T.de Torres (Spain)

The study o f a large number o f Pleistocene-Holocene Iberian Peninsula bears has allowed the selection o f a great number o f skeletal pieces w i th pathological changes. In th is work, we deal w i th three species: Ursus deninqeri, U. spelaeus, and U. arctos. The following pathological changes have been

'

identi f ied: Periostitis, osteomyelitis, arthrosis, fractures, post-traumatic sequel, luxations, periodontal disease, chronic dental abscess, dental caries, pathological occlusion, and calcif ied tendinous and ligamentous insertions. Some diseases are also proposed, such as gout, r ickets, osteomalacia, achondro- plasia, Paget's disease, acromegaly, brucellosis, and tuberculosis. Finally, some paleoepidemiological considerations are made.

CORRELATIONS BETWEEN AGE AT DEATH AND TOOTH DIMENSIONS AS AN INDEX OF DEVELOPMENTAL STRESS I N PREHISTORIC CALIFORNIA INDIANS

A. Pe'rez-Perez and P.L. Walker (U.S.A.)

The dental dimensions o f 184 individuals from southern California archaeological

sites were analyzed to test the hypothesis that people who d ie before reaching adulthood should have smaller, more variable teeth than people who die a t a later age, due t o the d isrupt ive effects o f developmental stress. Contrary to our predictions, t he average buccolingual tooth dimensions o f juveniles from several o f t he populations we studied were larger than those of the adults. These results are discussed in view o f inter-population differences in dental a t t r i t ion and the prevalence o f stress indicators such as dental hypoplasia and porotic hyperostosis.

INJURIES AND THEIR TREATMENT BY THE MATERA MEDICALIS DURING THE MIDDLE AGEmS

R. Perrot (France)

In the pursu i t o f knowledge o f t he techniques used during the Middle Ages f o r the treatment o f in jur ies by the Matera medicalis, some ancient medical texts from seven surgeons were studied: an ' Arabian, Abulcasis o f Cordova; a Carthaginian, Constantinus t he African; two Italians, Roger o f Parma and Willians o f Saliceto; two French, Henry o f Mondeville and Guy of Chauliac. About 200 substances, both animal and vegetable, a re listed. Vegetable substances are the most important (80%), and serve chief ly as cutaneous topicals.

PALEOPATHOLOGY AND MODERN MEDICINE

E. Promihska (Poland)

A system o f posit ive feedback occurs among the development o f medical sciences, the success o f therapy, and the organization o f health service. To enable us to approach t he prevalence o f diseases synthetically, M. Grmek created the notion o f pathocenosis, that is, t he assemblage o f al l pathological conditions present in a given population in a def in i te period. Investigation o f the rela- t ions between diseases in a given epoch permits us t o find the i r mutual interaction in di f ferent environmental conditions. Analysis o f t he dynamics o f pathocenosis may help us to understand the sequence o f events such as cycles, trends, etc., and thus enable us t o construct models in reference to both the periods o f balance in pathocenosis and the times o f transition. Using paleopathology as a basis, one can try to search f o r t he possibi l i ty o f an observed sequence o f events in the past and the present recur r ing in the future. Th is would seem to be especially useful f o r t he long-term prognosis, based on an analysis o f the oscillation of the developmental cycles and o f changes in the natural and social environment.

TRAUMA IN PAST BRITISH POPULATIONS AND ITS RELEVANCE TO A WIDER UNDERSTANDING OF ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES

C .A. Roberts [ ~ n g l a n d )

The types o f f ractures encountered from a large sample w i th age and sex distr ibut ion and possible causes wi l l be related to probable occupational roles. Discussion o f the treatment and healing o f f ractures wil l draw on several types o f evidence (bone, documentary, archaeology, iconography, ethnography, and modern clinical practice), which wi l l be considered in some detail. A n attempt wi l l be made t o relate th is evidence t o a broader.spectrum o f the archaeological site. Diet, level o f hygiene, l i v ing conditions, and the i r effect on t he healing o f in jur ies wil l be discussed. Prospects f o r f u tu re develop- ments in palaeopathology wil l emphasise th is mult idiscipl inary approach to specific conditions.

PALEOPATHOLOGY OF JOINT DISEASE: A BASIS FOR POSSIBLE CLASSIFICATION

J. Rogers (Englan'd)

Arthropathies are among the most common conditions found in skeletons from archaeological sites. Oste- arthritis and osteophytosis are f requent ly reported, but di f fuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis has only recently been well recog- nised. Erosive arthropathies (which include t he sero-negative group) are much less common, and have probably been misdiagnosed in the past. We present here a scheme b y which the arthropathies can be assigned t o the i r most probable classification, tak ing into account the morphological and radio- logical f indings. Part icular emphasis should be given t o the d is t r ibut ion of the lesions, and whether they are prol i ferat ive o r erosive o r both. It is o f t he greatest importance that the skeleton be considered as a whole, and in the absence o f v i ta l elements such as the phalanges o f hands and feet, o r metacarpals and metatarsals, it may be impossible to assign lesions accurately.

POROTIC HYPEROSTOSIS: THE RELATIONSHIP OF ORBITAL AND VAULT LESIONS

P. Stuart-Macadam (England)

It i s now generally accepted in the l i te ra ture that the term porotic hyperostosis includes lesions occurr ing both on t he orb i ts (also known as cr ibra) and the skul l vault. However, fo r many years researchers have argued about the relationship, if any, between lesions found on these two d i f ferent areas. The present paper discusses th is issue wi th reference t o data on

microscopic, macroscopic, radiographic, and demographic studies o f bo th orbi ta l and vaul t lesions.

POSSl BLE TREPONEMAL BONE LESIONS AMONG EARLY NATIVE CALIFORNIANS

J. Tenney (U.S.A.)

A survey o f osteological material at the Lowie Museum o f Anthropology revealed a large number o f pathological f indings. In addit ion t o examples o f traumatic lesions, ar thr i t i s , and anemias, there were many instances o f infect ious pro- cesses. Most were confined to a single skeletal site, but many appeared t o be generalized, invo lv ing many bones. Among these were many that had at t r ibutes similar t o those usual ly described in association w i th treponemal disease. These include nasal destruction, palatal perforation, cranial sclerotic new bone formation, and fusiform tibia1 lesions wi thout cloacae. The purpose o f th is s tudy i s t o examine several examples o f th is la t ter material, and assess the morphologic f indings w i th respect t o granulomatous and treponemal diseases.

IATROGENIC PALAEOPATHOLOGY

T. Waldron and J. Rogers (England)

Human bones tha t become available f o r palaeopathological s t udy may show evidence o f disease, but they may also show signs o f human intervent ion tha t was undertaken or ig inal ly t o t reat the disease during l i fe o r t o investigate it a f te r death. We have called the changes that have a human o r ig in ' iatrogenic palaeopathology.' We have studied a number of skeletons tha t came from individuals who had amputations performed on the i r lower limbs. The reactions o f t he cu t end o f the bone indicate tha t a t least some o f these individuals su rv ived the operation. We shall discuss what can b e in fe r red about disease in the past from the age d is t r ibut ion o f these cases and t h e sites o f the amputations. We have also examined skeletons from subjects who underwent autopsy, and we propose t o discuss these in the light o f t h e h is to ry o f the autopsy.

SEX DIFFERENCES I N THE DENTAL HEALTH OF PREHISTORIC AND MODERN HUNTER GATHERERS

P.L. Walker (U.S.A.)

Studies o f t he dental health o f prehistor ic American Indian hun te r gatherers

and modern Pygmies from the Central Af r ican Republic reveal signif icant differences in dental health. Women in these populations have higher caries rates and retain fewer teeth in jaws than men o f comparable age. These differences appear in large pa r t t o b e a resu l t o f sex differences in economic roles and access t o cariogenic foods. The data presented suggest that sex differences in diet are often more pronounced among hunter gatherers than among agricultural ists, because the men and women in hunting and gather ing societies specialize in the production of, and thus have di f ferent ia l access to, d i f fe rent k inds o f foods. It seems l ike ly that w i th the decline in the import- ance o f hunting and the increased emphasis on a small number o f staple crops that accompanied the sh i f t t o agriculture, opportunit ies f o r signif icant sex differences in d ie t diminish.

A POSSIBLE CASE OF HYDROCEPHALUS I N A COLOMBIAN MUMMY

J. Zammit and E. CrubeSzy (France)

The Colombian mummy o f a ch i ld (probably a g i r l ) belongs t o the Toulouse Natural H is tory Museum. It comes from a sepulchral cave in Colombia, and i s dated t o t he 10th - 12th centuries. Macroscopic examination showed a prominent and enlarged skul l . X-ray examination and CT scan (C.G.R.) show anatomical and palaeopathological characteristics, and try t o resolve t he question as t o whether th i s may be a possible case o f hydrocephalus.

\ (Supplement to Madrid Meeting Report)

LONG BONES SYMMETRICAL HYPERTROPHIES: FOUR CASES IN MEDIEVAL NORTHERN FRANCE

J. Blondiaux and M. Houcke (France)

From the paleopathological s tudy o f two medieval sites in CambrCsis (Nor thern France), we ident i f ied four cases o f hypertrophic symmetrical osteopathies o f the appendicular skeleton. Morphologic, radiographic, and microscopic analyses brought three etiologies to mind: Pierre Marie's hypertrophic osteo- arthropathy, Camurati-Engelman's progressive diaphyseal dysplasia, and Paget's disease. Microscopic examinations permitted the f i r s t descript ion o f specific alterations in progressive diaphyseal dysplasia and perhaps one of the f i r s t paleopathological diagnoses o f Paget's disease.

LASER-RADIOGRAMMETRY: A NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR THE STUDY OF PATHOLOGIC HUMAN BONE, ANCIENT AND LIVING

L. Capasso ( I ta ly )

The transparency, o r radio-opacity , o f osseous t issue following x-ray examina- t ion has been estimated exclusively b y em pi r ical visual observation o f the radiogram. Frequently, however, small differences in radio-opacity are impossible t o estimate b y visual observation alone. Moreover, it may be advantageous t o have a numerical evaluation of comparative radio-opacities of normal and pathological states from the radiograms (e. g . osteoporosis, osteosclerosis, etc.). The author suggests a new methodology for the quanti- fication of radio-opacity in radiograms. This new technique consists o f a graphic display of laser absorption o f the radiogram. The apparatus consists of: 1) laser source; 2) radiogram; 3) laser sensor (photo-electric trans- ducer) ; 4) recording apparatus. With th is technique, the variations in the radio-opacity of radiograms are changed into a simple graphic display. The author presents a large series o f applications o f laser radiogrammetry in various examples o f ancient osseous diseases (tumors, trauma, etc.).

COPPER PLATES ON THE ARM IN BURIALS A T THE CHURCH IN VRASENE

P. A. Janssens (Belgium)

This discussion concerns t he significance of copper plates found around the humeri in three graves from di f ferent periods. The f i rst , dated from Norman to 13th century, probably had been used as an ornament to hide a dressing wi th i v y leaves. The second (1260-1527?) was f ixed around a humerus show- i n g hypertrophied l ips of a notch, caused b y a cu t t ing weapon. In the third case (1579-1650), there was no sign of a bone lesion. The author dis- cusses the possible relationship o f copper usage w i th the De Re Medica o f Celsus, which recommends copper as a disinfecting agent.

THE PALEOPATHOLOGY OF HUMAN METABOLIC AND ENDOCRINE DISEASE ( Inv i ted lecture)

D.J. Or tner (U.S.A.)

Metabolic diseases, including those resul t ing from a deficiency o f vitamins C and D, a re poorly known in archeological human skeletal samples. The paucity o f cases suggests that these diseases were rare in the populations surveyed. Additionally, inadequate attention may have been given t o the skeletal manifestations associated wi th various metabolic diseases. I have published a case o f scurvy in a child's skul l (NMNH 342512) from an histor ic s i te in Alaska (Or tner 1984, MASCA J., 3:79-81). Principal features were porous reactive bone under ly ing t he temporalis muscle and porosity of the alveolar bone o f t he upper and lower jaws, including the sockets o f the teeth. This case was remarkably similar t o a child's sku l l from Peru (NMNH 266599) published earl ier as an example o f porotic hyperostosis (Or tner and Putschar 1981, Identi f icat ion o f Pathological condi t ions. in Human Skeletal Remains, p. 258). These porous hypertrophic lesions probably resulted from bleeding due to weakened blood vessels, associated wi th vitamin C deficiency. The distr ibut ion of lesions in both cases is clearly associated w i th the anatomy o f chewing and the insu l t to both the bone support ing the teeth and t he bone under ly ing the major muscles o f chewing.

One case o f r ickets from the Free Afr ican Baptist Church cemetery in Phila- delphia, Pennsylvania, U. S .A. i s presented to demonstrate that the most severe deformity typical ly affects the lower limbs and not the upper extremity, because r ickets usually occurs after the chi ld has begun to walk. The de- formity i s from weight-bearing on soft, poorly mineralized bone. The bur ia l si te is dated to A.D. 1823-1840, and there i s evidence of marginal nu t r i t i on in other burials.

Both t he gross skeletal changes associated wi th fluorosis and the v i r tua l l y pathognomonic zones of poorly mineralized lamellae in osteons in the histology o f compact bone a re demonstrated in a bur ia l ( B South 40, ca 21 00 B .C.), excavated in Bahrein. There is extensive ossification of the ligaments and connective tissue around the joints of the spine and in other areas o f the postcranial skeleton as well. The few teeth that remain exhibi t a s l ight degree of mottl ing, as would be expected if excessive f luorine were par t o f the diet during the development o f the permanent dentit ion.

Endocrine abnormalities found in archeological remains include a possible case o f sporadic hypothyroidism from a site dated between A. D. 1250 and 1700 in the American Southwest. Other cases o f endocrine disease include a probable case o f acromegaly (NMNH 227508) and a l ikely case of p i tu i ta ry dwarfism (NMNH 314306) from archeological sites in the United States.

The above cases provide evidence that metabolic and endocrine diseases, though rare, do occur in archeological sites. They provide a point of depart- u r e f o r f u r t he r research, as paleopathologists attempt to c lar i fy the skeletal manifestations associated wi th these diseases.

Scientif ic Committee

A. Ascenzi ( I ta ly)

D. A. B i r ke t t (England)

T. Dzieriykray-Rogalski (Poland)

N . -C. Cejvall (Sweden)

P. Janssens (Belgium)

C. Kramar (Switzerland)

K. Manchester (England)

A. Marcsik (Hungary)

D. J. Or tner (U.S.A.)

R. Perrot (France)

E. Rabino Massa ( I ta ly )

M. Schultz (Germany)

E. Strouhal (Czechoslovakia)

Local Organizing Committee

J. M. Reverte (Chairman)

D. Campillo

J. Cobo Soler

F. C6mez Bellard

P. J. P6rez P6rez

F. Puchalt

J. A. Sdnchez SSnchez

J . de Zul ueta