Original scientific paper
The human skeleton from Dvin, Armenia: detailed anthropological and paleopathological analysis
Anahit Yu. Khudaverdyan
; Institute of Archaeology and Ethnography, National Academy of Science, Republic of Armenia
Frina S. Babayan
Abstract
The Armenia is well known for its archaeological richness and its frequent earthquakes. Recent excavations at Dvin of Armenia have revealed a medieval building as well as domestic and ceremonial structures spanning the periods in the 12th and 13th Centuries. The present paper reviews several of damage that can be attributed with high certainty to earthquakes. Body of human and artifacts, which are found beneath collapsed ceiling, indicate a sudden unexpected destruction, typical of earthquakes. The presence of diseases (periostitis, enamel hypoplasia, mastoiditis, tuberculosis) showed that were no distinctive health in female. The she also showed evidence for muscular trauma as a result of repetitive activities, suggesting that it must have been physically active. At the proximal end of the femur belonging to the individual, there are some enthesopathies previously noted as common in horse riders. The biological analysis of the remains has demonstrated that the female suffered from a physical deformity preventing her from maintaining an upright posture during walking. The combined features of vertebral osteophytosis, new bone formation at muscle tendon and ligament insertions, suggest that the female from Dvin lived lives of heavy physical labor.
Keywords
Armenia; Middle Age; earthquake; female; paleopathology
Hrčak ID:
201997
URI
Publication date:
21.6.2018.
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