Chronic otitis media sequelae in skeletal material from medieval Denmark.
OBJECTIVE
Chronic otitis media sequelae (COMS) have been identified in archaeological skeletal materials from various ages. COMS reflecting episodes of upper respiratory tract infection may be used as a paleopathological indicator of general health. Estimation of the frequency of COMS may be useful in the gross evaluation of general standard of living.


METHODS
Temporal bones and auditory ossicles from 659 individuals from two Danish medieval rural parish cemeteries, dated to 1050-1200 and 1150-1350, respectively, were examined otomicroscopically.


RESULTS
Osseous fistulae from mastoid abscesses, remodelling of the hypotympanon, and erosion of the incus were among the convincing indications of COMS. A minimum frequency of COMS of 1% to 7% was found. The youngest material displayed the highest frequency of pathological changes.


CONCLUSIONS
Indications of a rising incidence of infectious middle ear disease in early medieval Denmark were found. This may reflect a deterioration of living conditions from the 11th through the 14th centuries.
Qvist
M
M
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
Grøntved
A M
AM
D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000266:history / Q000473:pathology; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003718:Denmark; D004429:Ear Ossicles / Q000473:pathology; D005402:Fistula / Q000266:history / Q000473:pathology; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D007759:Labyrinth Diseases / Q000266:history / Q000473:pathology; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000266:history* / Q000473:pathology; D010164:Paleopathology; D013701:Temporal Bone / Q000473:pathology