Harris lines of the tibia across centuries: a comparison of two populations, medieval and contemporary in Central Europe.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the incidence of Harris lines in two medieval populations which inhabited the Canton of Berne, in Central Switzerland, and to compare the results with those of a contemporary population living in the same geographical area. A simplified method is described for measuring the age of the individual at the time of formation of Harris lines, with possible future applications.


METHODS
Radiographs of 112 well-preserved tibiae of skeletons of two medieval populations from the eighth to fifteenth centuries were reviewed for the incidence of Harris lines. The results were compared with those of 138 current patients living in the same geographic location in Central Switzerland. Age and gender of the medieval individual were determined using known anthropological methods. Age of bone at the time of formation of Harris lines was estimated according to the method of Maat.


RESULTS
Harris lines were found in 88 of 112 (80%) of the examined medieval skeletons and in 28 of 138 (20%) of the living individuals. Higher incidences of Harris lines were found at the age of 2 years and at ages between 8 and 12 years in both populations. No gender difference was found regarding the incidence of Harris lines. In both populations the occurrence of Harris lines was associated with certain diseases such as degenerative bone disease, trauma, osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, peripheral vascular diseases, rickets and bony deformities.


CONCLUSIONS
A high incidence of Harris lines was found in the medieval population, perhaps reflecting difficult living and hygienic conditions, but also the poor care and neglect of the children population. Measuring the age of the individual at the time of formation of Harris lines is simple and may have future clinical applications in the paediatric population for medico-legal purposes. The application of Harris lines as a marker in follow-up of osteoporosis may need further evaluation.
Ameen
S
S
Department of Diagnostic Radiology, University Hospital of Bern, Inselspital, 3010 Bern, Switzerland. Shinaameen@yahoo.com
Staub
L
L
Ulrich
S
S
Vock
P
P
Ballmer
F
F
Anderson
S E
SE
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton; D000886:Anthropometry; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010164:Paleopathology; D013557:Switzerland; D013977:Tibia / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000473:pathology*