Cranial trauma and treatment

A case study from the medieval cemetery of St. Mary Spital, London

Bibliographic Data

ID4696629
AuthorsNatasha Powers (0000-0001-5057-2953, Museum of London, corresponding author)
Year2005
Volume15
Issue1
Pages1-14
Publication date2005-01-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/oa.733
OpenAlexW2168480229
LanguageEN
Citations received25
References cited20

Excavation of the cemetery of the medieval priory of St. Mary-without-Bishopsgate, Spitalfields, London from 1998-2001, recovered the remains of over 10,000 individuals. Following initial assessment, skeleton 19893 was found to have suffered three cranial injuries caused by a sharp edged implement. The remains were those of a middle aged adult male of around 172.4 cm in stature, truncated at the hips by a later feature. The remaining elements were well preserved. The cranial injuries were well healed, suggestive of some degree of post-traumatic care. Evidence of possible surgery was also found. Soft tissue complications would undoubtedly have followed the assault. Battle related trauma was considered, together with evidence of treatment. Whilst the demographic profile of the individual fitted a plausible one for a professional fighter of the medieval period, no firm evidence of occupation could be provided. The case study indicates both the ability of medieval people to survive major trauma and the wealth of information full analysis of the Spitalfields assemblage will provide the osteological community. Copyright (c) 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Archaeology · Battle · Cranial trauma · Osteology · Forensic and Genetic Research · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · History · Medicine · Paleopathology and ancient diseases · Surgery

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