title: Unusual pathological condition in the lower extremities of a skeleton from ancient Israel.
abstract: We report here an unusual pathology in a 1,500-year-old skeleton recovered from Bet Guvrin, Israel. The pathological changes in the lower extremities and the diagnostic difficulties are presented. We attribute this condition to Madura foot, found primarily in tropical and subtropical regions, although other diagnoses are possible and are noted. We discuss its appearance in the region in light of the historical context.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Anthropology, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Ramat Aviv, Israel.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hershkovitz
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Speirs
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Katznelson
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Arensburg
mesh_terms: D002111:Calcaneus / Q000473:pathology; D005360:Fibula / Q000473:pathology*; D049690:History, Ancient; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008682:Metatarsal Bones / Q000473:pathology*; D008271:Mycetoma / Q000266:history; D010164:Paleopathology; D013628:Talus / Q000473:pathology; D013639:Tarsal Bones / Q000473:pathology*; D013977:Tibia / Q000473:pathology*