Skeletal evidence for diseases in the Neolithic of Moravia - Smrcka - 2009

More than 30 sites and 122 skeletons in total from the whole of Moravia were included into the set of data. From this number 82 skeletons are from the Linear Pottery Culture (LBK, 5700-4900 BC); 13 skeletons from the Stroked Pottery Culture (STK, 4900-4700 BC) and 27 skeletons from the Moravian Painted Ware (Lengyel) Culture (LgK, 4700-4000 BC). The occurrence of infections was sporadic. Congenital deformities occurred in the Neolithic population in settlements usually within the region of vertebral column and mostly in LBK. In Neolithic population the frequency of cribra orbitalia occurred in descending line - LBK, LgK and STK, in both the right and left orbit. On the contrary, the rising frequency of the more complicated type 3 of cribra orbitalia occurred in LBK in 7% and in LgK in 25%. Porotic hyperostosis occurred on parietal and occipital bones and on the ribs. However, the symptoms of porosity were found only in LBK. Among traumas a special group was formed by the injuries of cranial wall with impressive fractures and with penetrating injuries. In long bones there were fractures of individual long bones as well as multiple injuries.

Keywords

Czech Republic - Moravia - Neolithic settlement - Skeletal evidence - Morbidity

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