Calcified structures associated with human skeletal remains: Possible atherosclerosis affecting the population buried at Amara West, Sudan (1300–800BC)

Abstract

The full-text may be used and/or reproduced, and given to third parties in any format or medium, without prior permission or charge, for personal research or study, educational, or not-for-pro t purposes provided that:• a full bibliographic reference is made to the original source • a link is made to the metadata record in DRO • the full-text is not changed in any way The full-text must not be sold in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.Please consult the full DRO policy for further details. Abstract: Today, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of death worldwide. Atherosclerosis, the thickening of the artery wall due to accumulating lipids, is one of the major causes. Generally assumed to be a disease of modern life-style related factors (smoking, obesity, hypertension), its history and epidemiology in the past are virtually unknown. Research on mummies from various geographic locations, time periods and socioeconomic backgrounds has revealed conclusive, albeit scant, evidence that atherosclerosis also affected past human populations. Little is known about the morphology of calcified atherosclerotic plaques that may be associated with human skeletal remains. Therefore, direct evidence of atherosclerosis from skeletal remains is largely absent. This paper presents five possible examples of calcified blood vessels which may represent atherosclerosis recovered from burials at Amara West, Sudan (1300-800BC) and reviews other potential causes of arterial calcification. Calcifications were recovered from the chest area of three middle-adult individuals as well as from the abdominal area and alongside the femur of two more. Based on morphology, anatomical location, scanning electron microscopy and radiography, they are probably calcified arterial plaques. These findings are unique in the bioarchaeological record and indicate that people have experienced atherosclerosis for at least 3000 years. Graphical Abstract (for review)Highlights:x Calcifications were recovered with skeletons from Amara West, Sudan (1300-800BC).x The structures can possibly be identified as calcified blood vessels.x The structures may result from calcification of atherosclerotic plaques.x The calcifications could be evidence of atherosclerosis in skeletal human remains.Highlights (for review) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 Atherosclerosis, the thickening of the artery wall due to accumulating lipids, is one of the major causes. Generally assumed to be a disease of modern life-style related factors (smoking, obesity, hypertension), its history and epidemiology in the past are virtually unknown.Research on mummies from various geographic locations, time periods and socioeconomic backgrounds has revealed conclusive, albeit scant, evidence that atherosclerosis also affected past hu...

Inflammatory periosteal reaction on ribs associated with lower respiratory tract disease: A method for recording prevalence from sites with differing preservation

“…In archeological skeletons, the prevalence of IPR on ribs may offer useful insight into the presence of, and exposure to, lower respiratory tract diseases, as well as provide information about poor air quality from many causes. For example, cramped and badly ventilated living quarters and exposure to particulate pollution such as dust, sand, pollen, cooking fires, and habitual smoking have all been discussed as causative factors in relation to the presence of IPR in different archeological settings, and high population density also predisposes to the ready transmission of lower respiratory tract diseases (Binder, , pp. 303–305; Capasso, ; Lambert, ; Pfeiffer, ; Roberts, ; Walker & Henderson, ).…”

Ageing and the Body in Archaeology

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“…2013). CHD is indicated where atherosclerosis affects coronary arteries Currently unclear (Binder & Roberts 2014;Thompson et al 2013). Exposure to environmental pollutants such as wood-smoke increases risk (Fullerton et al 2008), as may lack of physical activity, smoking, obesity and dietary factors (WHO & UNAIDS 2007)…”

More than metabolic: Considering the broader paleoepidemiological impact of vitamin D deficiency in bioarchaeology

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