OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates a case of pseudopathology and the effects that postmortem taphonomic changes and environmental influences can have on bone. MATERIAL: A skeleton of a young male from the early medieval site Staré Město, dated to the 9th-10th century CE. METHODS: The skeletal remains were subjected to detailed macroscopic and X-ray examination, and then a CT scan and XRF analysis were performed. RESULTS: X-ray examination of the mandible revealed unusually dense structures, whose appearance was not consistent with any known pathology. Based on the results of CT scanning, it was hypothesized that these were cavities filled with alluvial sediment. X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF), focusing on the determination of the silica content, revealed a high intensity of silica in the samples of the affected area of the bone. CONCLUSION: The hypothesis that the inclusions were composed of waterborne sediment was supported. SIGNIFICANCE: Although it is well known that soil can infiltrate bones buried in the ground, its appearance on plain radiographs is not that commonly known. The case illustrates the usefulness of differentiating true pathologies from postmortem alterations to avoid inappropriate interpretations. LIMITATIONS: No similar cases have been described. SUGGESTION FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: In palaeopathological evaluation, the use of multiple imaging and evaluative techniques should be implemented to differentiate pathological lesions from pseudopathology.

• Klíčová slova
• Computer tomography (CT), Pseudopathology, Radiography, Soil inclusion, Taphonomy, X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF),
• MeSH
• artefakty * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mandibula MeSH
• oxid křemičitý MeSH
• pitva MeSH
• posmrtné změny * MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH
• Názvy látek
• oxid křemičitý MeSH

OBJECTIVE: Cortisol is a glucocorticoid hormone produced by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis that is regularly assessed in modern human and non-human populations in saliva, blood, and hair as a measure of stress exposure and stress reactivity. While recent research has detected cortisol concentrations in modern and archaeological permanent dental tissues, the present study assessed human primary (deciduous) teeth for cortisol concentrations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-one dentine and enamel samples from nine modern and 10 archaeological deciduous teeth were analyzed for cortisol concentrations via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Detectable concentrations of cortisol were identified in 15 (of 32) dentine and 8 (of 19) enamel samples coming from modern and archaeological deciduous teeth. CONCLUSIONS: This study is the first known analysis of cortisol from deciduous dental tissues, demonstrating the potential to identify measurable concentrations. SIGNIFICANCE: The ability to analyze deciduous teeth is integral to developing dental cortisol methods with multiple potential future applications, including research on the biological embedding of stress in the skeleton. This study marks a key step in a larger research program to study stress in primary dentition from living and archaeological populations. LIMITATIONS: Multiple samples generated cortisol values that were not detectable with ELISA. Minimum quantities of tissue may be required to generate detectable levels of cortisol. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Future research should include larger sample sizes and consideration of intrinsic biological and extrinsic preservation factors on dental cortisol. Further method validation and alternative methods for assessing dental cortisol are needed.

• Klíčová slova
• Circumpulpal Dentine, Dentine, Dentition, Enamel, Fetus, Glucocorticoid Hormones,
• MeSH
• hydrokortison * MeSH
• systém hypofýza - nadledviny MeSH
• systém hypotalamus-hypofýza MeSH
• zuby mléčné * MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural MeSH
• Názvy látek
• hydrokortison * MeSH

OBJECTIVE: To contribute to differential diagnosis of multiple epiphyseal dysplasia (MED) in archeological and clinical contexts. MATERIALS: A skeleton of a 30- to 45-year-old male (grave no. 806) from the Late Migration Period graveyard in Drnholec-Pod sýpkou (Czech Republic), radio-carbon dated to AD 492-530. METHODS: Morphological and metric analyses. RESULTS: Significant pathological changes were noted on ossa coxae and proximal ends of the femora, which appear similar to changes associated with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease. X-ray examination made it possible to rule out pseudoachondroplasia, rickets and metabolic bone diseases. CONCLUSIONS: The finding was evaluated as a probable case of congenital multiple epiphyseal dysplasia. SIGNIFICANCE: This case will contribute to the construction of estimates of the occurrence of this disease in historical populations and can be instructive for diagnostics in current medical practice. LIMITATIONS: The final diagnosis is limited by the lack of genetic analysis. SUGGESTION FOR THE FUTURE RESEARCH: Further clarification leading to diagnosis will benefit from genetic analysis and evaluation of skeletal remains throughout Europe.

• Klíčová slova
• Congenital defects, Disproporcional growth, Langobards, Skeletal dysplasia, Tooth cementum annulation (TCA),
• MeSH
• achondroplazie * MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• hřbitovy MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• osteochondrodysplazie * MeSH
• Perthesova nemoc * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé středního věku MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• kazuistiky MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

OBJECTIVE: The present study explores growth and health in Roman (1st-3rd centuries CE) and Post-Roman (4th-7th centuries CE) Gaul, incorporating a life-course approach, to better understand the influence of Roman practices and lifestyles on health, and the impact of cultural change from the Roman to the Post-Roman period. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The skeletal remains of 844 individuals were analyzed for non-specific signs of physiological stress, including growth disruption (diaphyseal and adult maximum femur length), dental enamel hypoplastic defects (DEH), cribra orbitalia (CO), and periosteal reaction of the tibiae (Tibia PR). RESULTS: The Gallo-Roman sample demonstrated shorter femoral lengths, and higher rates of DEH and Tibia PR. Post-Roman groups demonstrated longer femoral lengths and higher rates of CO. CONCLUSIONS: Gallo-Roman individuals may have been more regularly exposed to infectious pathogens throughout childhood, inhibiting opportunities for catch-up growth, resulting in high rates of DEH and shorter femoral lengths ('intermittent stress of low lethality'). This could be the result of overcrowding and insalubrious urban environments. Higher rates of CO in the Post-Roman samples may have been influenced by dietary changes between the periods. SIGNIFICANCE: The intertwined and often synergistic relationships between early life environment, nutrition and settlement structure is highlighted, helping to further understandings of life experiences during the Roman and Post-Roman periods. LIMITATIONS: It was not possible to obtain sufficient data from northern regions during the Gallo-Roman period, limiting this analysis. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Further application of life course approaches can reveal subtle patterns in stress indicators.

• Klíčová slova
• DOHaD (developmental origins of health and disease), Growth, Intermittent stress of low lethality, Late Antiquity, Stature,
• MeSH
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• nutriční stav MeSH
• římská říše * MeSH
• tělesná výška MeSH
• tělesné pozůstatky MeSH
• životní změny * MeSH
• Check Tag
• dítě MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

OBJECTIVE: To determine the degree of similarity of biologically related individuals according to the occurrence of skeletal developmental anomalies (SDA), to see whether these anomalies reflect documented biological relationships. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample consists of the skeletal remains of seven members of the noble Swéerts-Sporck family from the 17th-20th centuries. Eighty-nine SDA were examined using morphological assessment, X-ray and CT. The degree of similarity was calculated using a similarity coefficient (Cvrček et al., 2018). RESULTS: There were three shared SDA in the sample (cranial shift at the C-T border, cervical ribs, hypoplasia of rib 12), and another fifteen individual SDA were reported. The degree of similarity between individuals supports their documented relationships. The greatest similarity was found in closely related individuals such as father/son or siblings, and the least between unrelated individuals. CONCLUSIONS: SDA can be used as a supportive tool for detecting family relationships. The results correspond to the conclusions of earlier analyses of non-metric traits and frontal sinuses in the same sample: the smaller the biological distance between individuals, the greater the degree of their similarity. SIGNIFICANCE: Using unique human skeletal collections, this communication contributes to the expansion of knowledge about the familial occurrence of SDA. LIMITATIONS: The small number of individuals limits the use of statistical approaches. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: The results call for research on this topic using a larger sample with known genealogical data and the same approaches, to confirm our conclusions.

• Klíčová slova
• Aristocracy, Biological distance, Genealogically documented sample, Inbreeding, Similarity coefficient,
• MeSH
• lebka * MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• sinus frontalis * MeSH
• tělesné pozůstatky MeSH
• žebra MeSH
• znalosti MeSH
• Check Tag
• lidé MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

OBJECTIVE: To analyze anomalies of a biomineralized exoskeleton of a trilobite. MATERIALS: A specimen of Dalmanitina socialis from the Upper Ordovician Letná Formation at Veselá near Beroun, Czechoslovakia, curated at the Czech Geological Survey in Prague. METHODS: The internal mold and external mold and latex casts were coated with ammonium chloride sublimate and photographed. RESULTS: A substantial reduction of the eye surface associated with changes in morphology and surface structure was noted. CONCLUSIONS: The anomaly is believed to be the result of a healed injury after an unsuccessful predatory attack. Based on the presumed mechanism of injury, a 'large arthropod' is proposed to be the potential attacker. SIGNIFICANCE: The low incidence of sublethal attack to cephala in collections of Cambrian to Carboniferous trilobites implies that most such attacks were fatal, rendering this specimen unique and capable of providing insight into healing processes. LIMITATIONS: Post-mortem damage rendered analysis difficult. SUGGESTIONSFOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Exploration of other cases of healed trauma in order to understand Ordovician ecosystems.

• Klíčová slova
• Barrandian area, Cephalon, Czech Republic, Late Ordovician, Trauma,
• MeSH
• členovci * MeSH
• ekosystém MeSH
• pitva MeSH
• regenerace MeSH
• zkameněliny * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH

OBJECTIVE: This paper aims to contribute to the definition of ancient rare diseases in skeletons displaying pathologies associated with paralysis. It uses a new suite of methods, which can be applied to challenging cases of possible paralysis in archaeologically-derived human skeletal material, specifically applied to the identification of poliomyelitis. MATERIALS: An adult male skeleton from Roman Halbturn, Austria. METHODS: Morphological and entheseal change analyses, CT scans, X-rays, cross-section morphology, and histology, alongside modern clinical, as well as historic, literature were used to discuss paralyses. RESULTS: The results suggest a diagnosis of poliomyelitis; now considered a rare disease, but perhaps ubiquitous in antiquity, thus complicating the definition of 'rare disease'. CONCLUSIONS: The integrated methodological procedures employed for this case constitutes a replicable and thorough approach to diagnosis, and explores the nature of ancient rare diseases. Due to the socio-environmental aspects of poliomyelitis transmission, it is likely that polio was likely not rare in the past. Therefore, the definition of 'rare diseases in the past' must include rarely occurring rarely diagnosed diseases due to biases and challenges within the archaeological and environmental record. SIGNIFICANCE: The developed suite of methods has not been applied to establish a diagnosis of polio in the past. LIMITATIONS: The individual considered in this study is fairly well-preserved; thus, this set of analyses may not be applicable to all remains where preservation is poor or highly fragmentary, and the discussion of rare diseases requires relatively secure diagnoses and context. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Large collections and series of skeletal human remains are recommended to develop definitive conclusions.

• Klíčová slova
• Atrophy, Biomechanics, Enthesopathies, Multidisciplinary, Virus,
• MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• paralýza MeSH
• poliomyelitida * diagnóza   MeSH
• vzácné nemoci * diagnóza   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Rakousko MeSH

OBJECTIVE: Documented cases of actinomycosis in archaeological skeletons are very rare, especially from Central Europe. Our contribution will help facilitate the differential diagnosis of this disease for other paleopathologists. MATERIAL: This paper describes a pathological finding of the skeleton of a 40-year-old male from a burial ground in Sady-Špitálky (Czech Republic) dated to the 10th-12th century. METHODS: The affected skeleton was evaluated as a probable case of actinomycosis on the basis of a detailed macroscopic, X-ray and histological examination. The osteolytic foci examined were compared with similar changes caused by tuberculosis, syphilis and mycoses. RESULTS: The character and location of the defect on the mandible is indicative of organ actinomycosis and is also reflected by the lytic lesion observed on a lumbar vertebra. CONCLUSIONS: The described case can be considered one of the very rare paleopathological findings of possible actinomycosis in humans in Central Europe. SIGNIFICANCE: Good evidence of bone actinomycosis findings may be beneficial for further paleopathological and epidemiological studies, especially for research focused on the diachronic development of actinomycosis in Europe. In doing so, all available factors, such as hygiene habits, nutrition, social structure and overall health of the population that could be causally related to its origin, course and treatment, can be taken into account. LIMITATIONS: The mandible of the studied individual was damaged, especially in the area affected by the lesion, so the paleopathological analysis was difficult to perform. SUGGESTION FOR THE FUTURE RESEARCH: In future, actinomycosis in this skeleton may be confirmed by bio-molecular analysis.

• Klíčová slova
• Czech Republic, Early Middle Ages, Inflammation, Lower jaw, Mycoses,
• MeSH
• aktinomykóza * diagnóza   dějiny   patologie   MeSH
• dějiny středověku MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mandibula * patologie   MeSH
• paleopatologie MeSH
• Check Tag
• dějiny středověku MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• historické články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

OBJECTIVE: Describe pathological features on internal and external aspects of the skull of an ancient grey wolf. MATERIALS: Wolf remains that were found at the southwestern settlement Area A of Gravettian site Pavlov I. METHODS: Visual observation and description; microcomputed tomography; porosity and fragmentation indices for internal and external skull features; histological section of the fourth upper premolar tooth. RESULTS: Dorsally, the sagittal crest revealed bone healing and remodeling. The sagittal lesion differential diagnosis was blunt trauma with or without fracture. Ventrally, otic region pathology included severe proliferation and lysis (osteomyelitis). The pathology was not resolvable among differential (microbial) causes of osteomyelitis, although other potential etiologies were ruled out. CONCLUSIONS: Probable first report of otic region osteomyelitis in an ancient grey wolf. SIGNIFICANCE: The proximity of the wolf remains to human-related findings, and presence of red ochre and shells, suggest human involvement in the burial. LIMITATIONS: This is a single specimen with differential diagnoses that were not resolvable to a single definitive diagnosis. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Further investigation of the possible anthropological significance of the burial circumstances.

• Klíčová slova
• Archeozoology, Differential diagnosis, Grey wolf, Mid-Upper Paleolithic, Osteomyelitis,
• MeSH
• archeologie MeSH
• dějiny starověku MeSH
• lebka * diagnostické zobrazování   patologie   MeSH
• osteomyelitida diagnostické zobrazování   patologie   veterinární   MeSH
• paleopatologie MeSH
• pohřeb dějiny   MeSH
• vlci * MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Check Tag
• dějiny starověku MeSH
• zvířata MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• historické články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to reconstruct the dietary behavior of two early medieval individuals who display gnathic malformation. MATERIAL: Two skeletons affected by temporomandibular ankylosis were analyzed, one from the Great Moravian burial site of Rajhradice (9th century AD, Czech Republic), and the other from the Avar burial site of Schӧnkirchen (8th century AD, Austria). METHODS: Carbon and nitrogen isotopic values were measured from the bone collagen of both individuals. In the Rajhradice case, where the childhood origin of ankylosis is deduced, isotopic analysis of dentine sections was performed. RESULTS: Both individuals show isotopic values within the range of variation of a contemporaneous population sample. There was no observable dietary change in the Rajhradice individual that could be linked to the occurrence of ankylosis. CONCLUSIONS: Both individuals consumed diets typical for their populations. They appear to not have restricted access to foodstuffs, namely animal protein, which would likely have had to be served in liquid (e.g. milk) or in a highly mashed form to compensate for insufficient mastication. SIGNIFICANCE: This finding provides specific evidence of care provided to these two afflicted members of past populations. LIMITATIONS: Though the proportion of animal protein is an important indicator of the quality of diet, many other aspects of diet - such as micronutrient content - elude stable isotope analysis. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Amino acid compound specific isotope analyses of collagen would provide deeper insight into both the diet and physiology of the affected individuals.

• Klíčová slova
• Diet, Early middle ages, Social care, Stable isotope analysis, Syngnathia,
• MeSH
• ankylóza * etnologie   patologie   MeSH
• dějiny středověku MeSH
• dieta etnologie   MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• kolagen chemie   MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• nemoci temporomandibulárního kloubu * etnologie   patologie   MeSH
• paleopatologie MeSH
• temporomandibulární kloub patologie   MeSH
• Check Tag
• dějiny středověku MeSH
• dospělí MeSH
• lidé MeSH
• mladiství MeSH
• mladý dospělý MeSH
• mužské pohlaví MeSH
• Publikační typ
• časopisecké články MeSH
• historické články MeSH
• práce podpořená grantem MeSH
• Geografické názvy
• Česká republika MeSH
• Rakousko MeSH
• Názvy látek
• kolagen MeSH