Dry bones: a paleopathological study of skeletal remains from a medieval graveyard in Dundee.
We report a study on human skeletal remains excavated from a medieval city centre graveyard. The remains of approximately 75 individuals were examined and radiographs were made of selected specimens. Many bones were normal and apparently from strong, young adults. The most frequent abnormality was osteoarthritis but we also noted osteoporosis, periostitis and an example of probable Paget's disease. From measurements of long bones and using appropriate formulae, we estimated stature. The average height for males was calculated to be 172cm (5' 7") and for females 157 cm (5' 2").
Spalding
R N
RN
Department of Medicine, University of Dundee.
Sinclair
D J
DJ
Cox
A
A
Morley
K D
KD
D000885:Anthropology, Physical; D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000266:history* / Q000473:pathology; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010164:Paleopathology; D012606:Scotland