Spondylolysis in ancient Nubian skeletal populations

Dados Bibliográficos

ID12371440
AutoresSamantha Tipper (0000-0003-4145-8379, School of Life Sciences Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge UK, autor correspondente), Penelope Wilson (0000-0002-2055-7370, Department of Archaeology Durham University Durham UK), Charlotte A Roberts (0000-0002-2259-807X, Department of Archaeology Durham University Durham UK)
Ano2023
Volume33
Fascículo5
Páginas876-885
Data de publicação2023-06-19
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/oa.3241
OpenAlexW4381249450
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas1
Referências citadas39

A comprehensive study of spinal health in ancient Nubia has not been achieved to date. This study is a component of a larger survey of spinal health. It presents a comparative analysis of spondylolysis, with the aim of providing an insight into the quality of life, environmental and socio‐political stresses faced by individuals in ancient Nubia. This study provides bioarchaeological data from 515 adult individuals with preserved lumbar vertebrae (where spondylolysis is most commonly observed) from five populations that date from the Meroitic to the Medieval period (350 BC –1500 AD ). Contextual data from settlements and cemeteries were used to interpret the data. The results demonstrated an overall crude prevalence of 6.6% for spondylolysis (individuals affected with vertebrae preserved) and an overall true prevalence of 1.2% (number of lumbar vertebrae affected). The data also revealed a number of possible trends, for example, that males were most affected, that there was an increase in prevalence over time, with the highest prevalence rates observed in the Medieval period, and that there was a higher prevalence rate among the populations from Mis Island compared with the other populations. It is possible that activities such as farming, building or rowing as well as socio‐political changes could have contributed to the prevalence of spondylolysis seen in this study

Archaeology · Geography · Lumbar · Lumbar vertebrae · Rowing · Spondylolisthesis · Spondylolysis · Demography · Medicine · Musculoskeletal Disorders and Rehabilitation · Musculoskeletal pain and rehabilitation · Spine and Intervertebral Disc Pathology · Surgery