Very short stature of individuals from Dvin (Armenia): detailed anthropological and paleopathological analysis

Abstract

This article is about unusual individuals of the 9th–11th centuries from Dvin (Armenia), among which traces of delay of growth processes were revealed. The paper analyzes individual features of craniological, cranioscopic, odontological, osteological and paleopathological characteristics of two individuals. The research of bones of the skeleton showed presence of serious pathologies, unrepresentative for so young age, related to excessive exercise stresses. Harris lines, or growth arrest lines are clearly seen on Х-ray images of two diaphyses of tibial bones. Another marker of growth delays (enamel hypoplasia) is also found in the individuals.