Evidences of rheumatic disorders and orthopedic practices in Moche art

Checa, Angel

doi:10.1007/s00296-009-1200-4

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Continued mobility after the amputation of the left foot could have involved the use of a crutch or prosthesis, which would have improved the efficiency of modified ambulation. Earlier Moche ceramic vessels depicting amputees often include crutches and cuplike coverings for amputated feet (Checa 2010;Paico Vílchez and Paico Zumaeta 2020;Urteaga-Ballon 1991;Vélez López 1913). Vélez López (1913) and Chauchat et al (2009) describe prosthetics made of wood found in a Moche archaeological context.…”

Section: The Case For Carementioning

confidence: 99%

Two (Missing) Left Feet

Phillips

Cruz

Martín

et al. 2021

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Understanding pre-Hispanic Andean medical practices through skeletal evidence of surgery has been the focus of a number of bioarchaeological investigations in recent years. Amputation is an especially interesting topic of research due to the variety of social contexts in which it might have occurred. Interpretations for amputation found on the north coast of Peru have included therapeutic intervention, punitive measures, and ritualistic dismemberment. Here, we present two new cases of successful left foot amputation in young adult females excavated from Huaca Las Balsas (Late Intermediate Period, A.D. 1100–1470) and Huaca Las Abejas (Late Horizon, A.D. 1470–1535) at the ancient religious and administrative center of Túcume. Chronologically, they are the latest cases of pre-Hispanic amputation published to date. Contextual evidence supports a therapeutic motivation for the procedure, as individualized burial treatment and placement within a cemetery group of social elites is not consistent with punitive or ritualistic action. Modification of the malleoli, extensive bone proliferation covering the talar articulations, and asymmetrical cortical bone thickness of the tibiae and fibulae (revealed radiographically) suggest the return of some functional mobility using the affected limb after healing. This long-term recovery is evidence of access to quality medical care and accommodation of functional impairment within the amputees’ communities. The presented research uses the bioarchaeology of care to explore the lived experiences of these amputees and their social identities, making an important contribution to the anthropology of disability across cultures and time periods. Comprender las prácticas médicas andinas prehispánicas a través de evidencia esquelética de cirugía ha sido el foco de una serie de investigaciones bioarqueológicas en los últimos años. La amputación es un tema de investigación especialmente interesante debido a la variedad de contextos sociales en los que podría haber ocurrido. Las interpretaciones para la amputación que se encuentran en la costa norte del Perú han incluido la intervención terapéutica, las medidas punitivas y el desmembramiento ritual. Aquí, presentamos dos nuevos casos de amputación exitosa del pie izquierdo en hembras adultas jóvenes excavadas desde Huaca Las Balsas (PeríodoIntermedio Tardío, A.D. 1100–1470) y Huaca Las Abejas (Horizonte Tardío, D.C. 1470–1535) en el antiguo centro religioso y administrativo de Túcume. Cronológicamente, son los últimos casos de amputación prehispánica publicados hasta la fecha. La evidencia contextual apoya una motivación terapéutica para el procedimiento, ya que el tratamiento y la colocación individualizados del entierro dentro de un grupo cementerio de élites sociales no es consistente con la acción punitiva o ritualista. La modificación de los maléolos, la extensa proliferación ósea que cubre las articulaciones talares y el grosor óseo cortical asimétrico de las tibias y los peronés (revelados radiográficamente) sugieren el regreso de cierta movilidad funcional utilizando la extremidad afectada despuésde la curación. Esta recuperación a largo plazo es evidencia del acceso a atención médica de calidad y alojamiento de deterioro funcional dentro de las comunidades de amputados. La investigación presentada utiliza la “bioarqueología de la caridad” para explorar las experiencias vividas de estos amputados y sus identidades sociales, haciendo una contribución importante a la antropología de la discapacidad a través de las culturas y períodos de tiempo.

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Section: The Case For Carementioning

confidence: 99%

Two (Missing) Left Feet

Phillips

Cruz

Martín

et al. 2021

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“…Anthropomorphic figures with amputated arms and legs are displayed there [6]. Some potteries show the amputation of both upper extremity limbs above the elbow or through it, which renders the amputee completely inept [9].…”

Section: Historical Evidence From the Ancient Periodmentioning

confidence: 99%

Punitive Limb Amputation

Mavroforou¹,

Malizos

Karachalios

et al. 2014

Clinical Orthopaedics &Amp; Related Research

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“…Using the medium of painted pots, Moche artists left accurate portraits of real people of their time, including social elites and priests. Intriguingly, the artists also portrayed people with obvious signs of disease, including infectious disease (Checa, 2010; Heck, 1982; Heyne, Correa‐Trigoso, Heyne, & Lin, 2018), neurological disease (Canalis & Cino, 2003; Carod‐Artal & Vázquez Cabrera, 2006; Martinez‐Castrillo, Mariscal, & Garcia‐Ruiz, 2010), mutilation/trauma (Verano, Anderson, & Franco, 2000), and congenital disorders.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Genetic and congenital disorders in pre‐Hispanic Moche pottery

Pachajoa

Heyne

Candelo

et al. 2021

American J of Med Genetics Pt C

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The Moche were a pre-Hispanic, pre-Incan people who inhabited northwestern Peru from 50 to 850 AD and left behind a large body of ceramic artwork. We present 26 pieces from 5 museums, which seem to show individuals with malformations, minor anomalies, and possible genetic syndromes. Possible diagnoses include cleft lip and palate, ocular anomalies such as hypertelorism and orbital dystopia, oligo-and polydactyly, conjoined twinning, clubfoot, Down syndrome, Crouzon syndrome, and Seckel syndrome. These ceramic portraits suggest that these people with received a certain respect or even elevated status within their society.

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Evidences of rheumatic disorders and orthopedic practices in Moche art

Cited by 5 publications

References 5 publications

Two (Missing) Left Feet

Two (Missing) Left Feet

Punitive Limb Amputation

Genetic and congenital disorders in pre‐Hispanic Moche pottery

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