Introduction. The following review concerns the research of Eurasian climate history during the last 1500 years.

Materials and methods. The results of paleoclimatological studies published during the last 15 years are examined and compared, including the brief outline of the methods of the reconstruction of past climates employing various proxies, including pollen, tree rings and ice cores.

Results and discussion. The recent reconstructions of the climate of the Europe and Eastern Asia during the most important climatic events of the past millennium – the Medieval Warm Period (10^th–13^th cc.) and the Little Ice Age (15^th–19^th cc.) are described. The influence of the climatic conditions of these time periods on the lives and economic activities of the human populations in Europe and China.

Conclusion. The comparison of the reconstructions originating from the various regions of Eurasia demonstrates the global extent of the warm and cold periods and the existence of the connections between perennial meteorological events in Europe and Asia. © 2025. This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 license

Introduction. This article presents a comparative analysis of the bone remains from two parts of the necropolis at the Church of Corpus Christi in Nesvizh, Belarus. The remains were extracted from the crypt of the church (17th centuries) and the adjacent cemetery (18th centuries) between 2017 and 2019.

Materials and methods. Two series - 1) of material from the cemetery (skeletons of various configurations and individual bones) and 2) material from the crypt (scattered bones) were subjected to comparative analysis. The minimum number of individuals is determined by the largest number of bones of the same type: cemetery n=65; crypt n=98. The measurements were taken using the standard osteometric method. The reliability of the differences between the two groups was checked using the Student's t-test and visualized using a petal diagram. Additionally, there were signs of fractures and weapon damage on the bones. The percentage of damage was calculated as the percentage of total bones of the same type with damage.

Results and discussion. The size of most of the male bones from the crypt was significantly larger than that of the bones from the cemetery, as evidenced by the size of the hilt of the sternum, collarbones, shoulder blades and the proximal epiphysis of the humerus. This set of features indicates a large shoulder width in the skeletal remains from the crypt. This may be due to the high functional load on the bones of the upper extremities. The longitudinal dimensions of the proximal sections of the humerus and femur in the series from the crypt are also larger. This may indicate that the individuals buried in the crypt were taller.

Most of the transverse dimensions of the upper limb bones in the series from the crypt are larger than in the series from the cemetery, while the femoral bones in the series from the cemetery are larger. This may indicate different functional requirements for these parts of the skeleton. The number of traumatic injuries on the bones from the crypt is significantly lower than in the series from the cemetery.

Conclusion. According to the results of the study, representatives of different population groups are buried in two parts of the necropolis at the Church of the Body of God in Nesvizh. It is possible that representatives of the clergy from the Jesuit Order were reburied in the crypt, while representatives of the nobility from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth were mostly buried in the cemetery. This is confirmed by historical documents and archaeological finds. On the other hand, differences in physical development and the frequency of traumatic injuries can be explained by changes in knight's armor in the 16th and 17th centuries, which requires further study. © 2025. 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. Hyperostosis frontalis interna (HFI) is a thickening of the frontal bone associated with metabolic and hormonal disorders. While prevalent among elderly women in modern populations, archaeological studies have documented male-dominated HFI cases in certain groups. This study examines the frequency of HFI in Mesolithic/Neolithic craniological series fr om the Dnieper region.

Materials and methods. Eight craniological series (107 skulls) from the collections of the Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Lomonosov Moscow State University, were analyzed. The overall prevalence of HFI and its developmental stages (4-point scale) were assessed.

Results and discussion. A high HFI frequency (20.6%) was identified in Mesolithic/Neolithic groups of the Dnieper region, suggesting a link to chronic metabolic stress during transitional periods. Notably, HFI types A, B, and C were equally represented (1:1:1 ratio), contrasting with typical patterns wh ere type A dominates. Elevated frequencies of types B and C likely indicate metabolic/hormonal imbalances. Although no statistically significant sex or age differences were observed, a trend of increased HFI prevalence in older individuals aligns with prior research. Associations with periodontitis, trauma, and cribra orbitalia point to environmental stress influences.

Conclusion. The identified HFI cases represent the earliest known instances in prehistoric Eastern Europe. Results underscore HFI’s role as a stress marker in transitional historical periods. © 2025. This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 license