A 1,500-Year-Old Bladder Stone

Abstract

A calcium oxalate calculus was found in the anatomically normal bladder of a 1,500-year-old native American male mummy from the Northeastern Arizona Basketmaker cultural group. Results of analysis by chemical, optical, spectrographic and x-ray diffraction methods are listed and compared to several other reported prehistoric uroliths.

A Case of Ancient Bladder Stones from Oluz Höyük, Amasya, Turkey

“…However, they are more frequently encountered in the urogenital region. Although the presence of these objects in skeletal remains has been shown by several studies (Wells, ; Streitz et al ., ; Szalai & Jávor, ; Baud & Kramar, ; Brothwell et al ., ; Anderson, ; Komar & Buikstra, ; Guiffra et al ., ; Perry et al ., ; Quinteleir, ; Armentano et al ., ) from different parts of the world, no examples from Anatolia have so far been discovered or published. This is despite modern clinical studies pointing out the high prevalence of some of these formations (e.g.…”

“…The discovery of extra-skeletal masses as archaeological finds is relatively rare. Most of the previously discovered ones were gathered from mummies (Streitz et al, 1981;Giufra et al, 2008). There have also been some reported from ancient burial places (Wells, 1981;Szalai & Jávor, 1987;Brothwell et al, 2000;Anderson, 2003;Komar & Buikstra, 2003;Quinteleir, 2009;Armentano et al, 2012).…”

Urolithiasis: past, present and future

“…Urinary stone disease has plagued mankind since the beginning of civilization. The discoveries of a bladder stone from an adult female entombed in a cave approximately 8500 years ago, and a Native American mummy estimated to be 1500 years old supports the paradigm of the stability of stones (Streitz and others ; D'Alesso and others ).…”

An 8500‐year‐old Bladder Stone From Uzzo Cave (Trapani): Fourier Transform–infrared Spectroscopy Analysis*

“…This partly depends on the disease and genetic alterations to the metabolism and partly on anatomical alterations to the urinary apparatus. It is known that urolithiasis was very common in ancient populations (Streitz et al . 1981; Steinbock 1989).…”