Medical conditions observed in osteoarchaeological remains: arthropathies, traumatic lesions, tumours, metabolic diseases and dental pathologies

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to present which pathologies are recognisable in osteoarchaeological remains, particularly: arthropathies, traumatic lesions, tumours, metabolic diseases and dental pathologies. In addition to explaining in general terms how these diseases occur, we bring in support of the above, examples of pathologies related to our osteological sample. The human remains come from a dozen archeological sites covering necropolises and medieval churches of the province of Varese (dated from the 7th Century to the Modern Age). The findings that we hereby present were analysed according to the methods of physical anthropology and paleopathology.