ISSN: 2074-8132
ISSN: 2074-8132
Introduction. The article analyzes materials dated to the 16th–17th centuries came from Smolensk. This period turned out to be one of the most complex and eventful in the history of the region, that's why every new detail is significant for the study. For a long time, Smolensk functioned as a boundary city and also as an important trade hub between the Muscovite Tsardom and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth; so, the composition of its population may reflect the influence of the western neighbors.
Materials and methods. There were examined the craniological materials discovered during the excavations at the Pyatnitsky district of the city in 2012. The necropolis dates back to the turn of the 16th–17th centuries, it is located on the high bank of the Dnieper near the fortress wall of the Smolensk Kremlin. The materials include 17 male and 19 female skulls. Classical and multidimensional biometric methods were used as statistical approaches.
Results. The comparison beetween the studied sample and the other sample of the 12th century city population known from the literature has showed their high similarity, although the later sample tends to be slenderer. Statistically significant differences were recorded only for certain parameters of the skull.
The comparison with the aggregated sample of the rural Smolensk region population dated to the 18th–19th centuries also revealed a significant difference for the cranial length and height and some parameters of the facial skeleton. Discriminant analysis showed a quite unique status of the studied sample, which differs from both synchronous urban groups and later samples of the rural population of the central region. There are also no processes of macrosomization observed for it.
Conclusion. The absence of significant differences for most characteristics between the studied sample and the urban population of the 12th century can indicate the continuity of the morphological type of the Smolensk urban population. On the other hand, the intermediate position of the studied sample in relation to early and late comparative materials can indicate that the studied sample represents recent settlers from the rural area.
© 2024. This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 license
Introduction. Studying ancient pathologies is a significant direction in modern scientific discourse, requiring the application of differential diagnostic methods for accurate data interpretation. Despite the complexity of such analyses, the data obtained enable us to gather reliable historical information about both past populations and individuals. This study presents an analysis of pathologies in an individual from the Vologda necropolis.
Objective of the Study: Conduct a differential diagnosis of disease in an 11–12-year-old adolescent from the Vologda necropolis of the second half of the 15th to the first half of the 16th centuries.
Materials and Methods. The individual studied was found during excavations in Vologda (Leningradskaya St., No. 12). The remains belonged to an adolescent aged 11-12 years. The study included a macroscopic assessment comprising visual inspection, determination of skeletal preservation and completeness, photographic documentation of the remains, and radiographic analysis of the affected bones.
Results. The remains exhibited lesions in the iliac and ischial bones, ribs, vertebrae, skull bones, and scapulae. Manifestations were observed in bones with a significant proportion of cancellous tissue. Pathological changes were characterized by a combination of proliferative and destructive alterations. Radiographic analysis of the skull revealed a decrease in bone X-ray density, manifested as increased porosity. An area with decreased X-ray density resembling a 'cold abscess' was also identified in the iliac bones. However, distinct boundaries, which are a key feature of this pathological condition, are absent.
Discussion. Among the most likely alternative diagnoses are brucellosis, tuberculosis infection, and malignant processes. These diseases are integrated into the differential diagnosis due to the combination of proliferative and destructive changes observed in the bone tissue.
Conclusion. The analysis of diagnostic criteria and radiographic data suggests the presence of an oncological process. However, signs of periostitis on the ribs and evidence of meningitis on the endocranial surface may indicate chronic inflammation caused by infection. © 2025. This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 license
Introduction. Skeletal assemblages from securely dated, closed archaeological contexts are an invaluable resource for bioarchaeological reconstructions of health and lifestyle in past populations. Objective: To conduct a comprehensive paleopathological analysis of the skeletal collection from the Vologda necropolis (second half of the 15th – first half of the 16th centuries).
Materials and Methods. The skeletal material originates from a necropolis excavated in 2022 at 12 Leningradskaya St., Vologda. The excavation area of 166 m² revealed 121 burials dating to the 2nd half of the 15th – 1st half of the 16th centuries. The paleopathological analysis of the adult sample (N=44) was performed using standard macroscopic and radiographic methods; Fisher's exact test was employed for inter-group frequency comparisons.
Results. Pronounced sex-related differences in the patterns of pathology were identified. The male sample exhibits a high prevalence of traumatic injuries (67.9%), with rib fractures being the most common type (42.9%). In the female sample, trauma prevalence is lower (33.3%) and lesions are confined to the distal limb elements. Among degenerative diseases, a notably high prevalence of Schmorl's nodes were found in the female sample (80.0%). A non-significant trend towards a higher prevalence of dental caries was observed in the female sample (55.6%) compared to the male sample (29.2%). Isolated cases of severe infectious and systemic diseases were also recorded in both groups.
Discussion. The trauma profile in males suggests a high level of involvement in interpersonal conflict. Patterns of degenerative changes in the spine suggest a sex-based division of labor. The high prevalence of Schmorl's nodes in females is a striking feature, as its etiology is complex and may relate not only to activity but also to constitutional and genetic factors. Conversely, males exhibit only a non-significant trend towards more pronounced arthrosis and spondylarthrosis, possibly related to physical stress.
Conclusion. The analysis of this well-contextualized skeletal assemblage from Vologda has enabled a detailed reconstruction of the health profile of an urban population during its emergence as a significant military and administrative center.
Acknowledgements. This study was carried out as part of the research project of the Institute of Archaeology of the Russian Academy of Sciences, “The Ancient and Medieval Population of the European Part of Russia in the Context of Cultural Development and Genetic Dynamics” (State Registration No. 124050700063-0).