Health status of inhabitants from the period of the Funnel-beaker Culture from Modřice (Brno-Country District, Czechia)

Abstract

The presented work is focused on the palaeopathological analysis of the skeletal remains of 22 individuals (11 adults, 2 subadults, 9 children) from Modřice (Brno-Country District, Czechia) dated to the period of the Funnel-beaker Culture (3700-4000 BC). It represents a group of settled farmers. There are clear signs on the skeletons of physical activity. These inhabitants subsisted mainly on plant-based food. Compared to similar Neolithic groups, the Modřice skeletons had a very high rate of tooth decay. Of the congenital malformations, skeletal (scaphocephaly) and spinal (vertebral synostosis, spondylolysis) disabilities were found here. Most of the inflammatory changes on the bones were observed in connection with dental diseases, two cases of otitis media and inflammatory foci on the cranial vault of one of the females were also recorded. Although the presented research was limited by the small number of examined skeletons, it presents new information about the health status of the studied population group and enriches the existing knowledge about this important Neolithic population.