Bioarchaeological insights into disability
Skeletal dysplasia from the Iron Age northern China
Bibliographic Data
Skeletal dysplasia is mainly caused by genetic mutations or endocrine abnormality. In this study, a case of disproportionate dwarfism from the Iron Age Beishenjiaqiao cemetery in Xi'an, China is analyzed from the perspective of bioarchaeology. The individual shows disproportionately short stature, with reduced long-bone diaphyseal length especially of both humeri, unfused proximal humerus epiphyses, abnormal development of the shoulder and hip joints, left femoral head necrosis, and unusually gracile left femur and tibia shaft, demonstrating limited mobility and labor capacity. Hypothyroidism, pseudoachondroplasia, and multiple epiphyseal dysplasia are the most likely possible diagnoses although there are other possibilities. By combining the archaeological evidences and historical records, it is speculated that this individual lived a normal life and was well treated during her lifetime. Overall, this rare case concerning dwarfism not only enriches our knowledge of skeletal dysplasia among ancient Chinese in northern China but also demonstrates the humanitarian attitude of ancient society toward the disability
Abnormality · Archaeology · Biology · China · Dwarfism · Dysplasia · Femur · Geography · Humerus · Pathology · Short stature · Connective tissue disorders research · Dermatoglyphics and Human Traits · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Medicine · Anatomy · Genetics · Pediatrics · Surgery
The Cambridge encyclopedia of human growth and development
A case of dwarfism in 6th century Italy
Osteological evidence of short-limbed dwarfism in a nineteenth century Dutch family
Multiple epiphyseal dysplasia in an Old Kingdom Egyptian skeleton
Growing up different in Neolithic China
Two dwarves from Sweden
Dwarfs in Athens
A case of chondrodystrophic dwarfism in the Italian late Upper Paleolithic
Dental wear in the Libben population
Osteological evidence of short stature and parieto-squamosal arch craniosynostosis in a non-adult male from the 13th century Leiria, Portugal
Better a Broader Diagnosis Than a Misdiagnosis
How Short Is Short, and Why? A Probable Case of Proportionate Dwarfism From Egypt's Third Intermediate Period in the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt
A Case of Dwarfism from the Byzantine City Rehovot-in-the-Negev, Israel
Rare example of an early medieval dwarf infant from Brownslade, Wales
| Unique citing works | 1 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 1 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 1 |