Two probable cases of treponemal disease of Medieval date from England.
Two British Medieval skeletons are described. Paleopathological examination suggests that treponemal disease was present in each case. Radiocarbon dating indicates that one is firmly pre-Columbian, and the other of likely pre-Columbian date. The implications for our understanding of the history and geographic spread of the treponemal diseases, particularly venereal syphilis, are discussed.
Mays
Simon
S
Ancient Monuments Laboratory, English Heritage Centre for Archaeology, Fort Cumberland, Eastney, Portsmouth PO4 9LD, UK. simon.mays@english-heritae.org.uk
Crane-Kramer
Gillian
G
Bayliss
Alex
A
D000328:Adult; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes / Q000032:analysis; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004739:England; D005260:Female; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D007867:Leg Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D010164:Paleopathology; D011877:Radionuclide Imaging; D014211:Treponemal Infections / Q000266:history* / Q000473:pathology
D002250:Carbon Radioisotopes