The Influence of Sedentism and Aggregation on Porotic Hyperostosis and Anaemia: A Case Study

Prevalence and etiology of acquired anemia in Medieval York, England

“…The most common radiographic feature is orbital roof thickening, and is likely correlated with cribra orbitalia, the most common diagnostic paleopathological feature, and therefore the feature chosen for analysis in this study. In addition to radiological similarities, the age-and sexspecific prevalence of acquired anemia in modern preindustrial populations is often very similar to patterns detected in bioarchaeological studies of past populations that lived in increasingly aggregated sedentary environments (Kent, 1986;Kent and Lee, 1992;Kent and Dunn, 1996;Kent et al, 1994). This suggests that a common yet complex epidemiological model may exist to explain the development and distribution of this widespread condition.…”

“…The anemia of chronic disease has been suggested as an alternative model for the development and distribution of acquired anemia in past and present populations (Kent, 1986;Kent et al, 1994;Kent and Dunn, 1996;Kent and Lee, 1992;Stuart-Macadam, 1992a,b;Stuart-Macadam and Kent, 1992). This condition is fundamentally different from acquired iron-deficiency anemia in both process and purpose.…”

“…Like most scientific knowledge, our understanding of this paleopathological feature is being refined through much-needed critique and reexamination. However, the wholesale abandonment of this indicator is unwarranted, as the distribution of anemia based on an assessment of cribra orbitalia in past populations does correlate well with radiographic findings, distributions of anemia in nonindustrialized contexts, and paleopathological expectations based on clinical and ethnographic comparisons (Danforth, 1999;Kent, 1986;Kent and Lee, 1992;Kent and Dunn, 1996;Kent et al, 1994;Stuart-Macadam, 1985, 1987a. Apart from diagnostic issues, the assertion that cribra orbitalia forms only in childhood and should only be studied in children (Stuart-Macadam, 1985) is also problematic, based on the insufficient amount of clinical evidence used to support this claim and on the complex physical appearance and distribution of these lesions among adult segments of skeletal populations.…”

Examining the Life History of an Individual From Solcor 3, San Pedro De Atacama: Combining Bioarchaeology and Archaeological Chemistry

“…Porotic hyperostosis has been linked to iron deficiency anemia, possibly stemming from nutritional deficiencies, inadequate absorption of iron, parasitic infection, and as an "adaptation" to disease and microorganism invasion (El-Najjar et al 1976;Kent 1986;Lallo et al 1977;Stuart-Macadam and Kent 1992;Walker 1985Walker , 1986. Porotic hyperostosis was recorded as present when porosity with coalescing foramina were apparent on the ectocranial surfaces of the cranial vault and/or on the superior surface of the orbits (cribra orbitalia) and with remodeled and unremodeled lesions noted as well as the degree of severity (porosity, coalescing foramina, thickening).…”

Raptus Sabinae? Of a female calvarium from the Bandkeramik settlement of Rovantsi in Volhynia

“…These conditions cause bone reaction (destruction and neoformation) in the back wall of the orbit. Cribra orbitalia is considered to be a marker of anemia, which can develop as a result of malnutrition, certain nutritional defects, iron defi ciency or intestinal diseases (Stuart-Macadam 1991;Kent 1986). Cribra orbitalia has been observed in Bandkeramik groups from Moravia, as evidenced at the cemetery of Vedrovice (Dočkalová 2008, 300-301;Lillie 2008, 138).…”