Time to be nosy: Evaluating the impact of environmental and sociocultural changes on maxillary sinusitis in the Middle Nile Valley (Neolithic to Medieval periods)

Davies-Barrett, Anna M.; Roberts, Charlotte A.; Antoine, Daniel J.

doi:10.1016/j.ijpp.2021.07.004

Cited by 10 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 86 publications

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“…McCormick et al 2012). Palaeopathological data from the region (Davies-Barrett et al 2021) reflect the impact of progressive aridification on humans and support the hypothesis of an environmental shift. The interplay of environmental, political, socio-cultural and demographic factors, including intensification of agricultural practices, population growth and urbanisation, was instrumental in the decentralisation and dissolution of the Meroitic kingdom.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Isotopic evidence of an environmental shift at the fall of the Kushite kingdom of Meroë, Sudan

Kozieradzka-Ogunmakin,

Sołtysiak

2023

Antiquity

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Between c. 300 BC and AD 350, the Meroitic kingdom dominated the Middle Nile Valley; following its breakdown, it was replaced by a series of smaller successor polities. Explanation for this change centres on socio-political and economic instability. Here, the authors investigate the role of climate and environment using stable carbon and oxygen isotope analyses of human and faunal dental enamel from 13 cemeteries. The results show increasing δ18O values towards the end of the Meroitic kingdom and in the post-Meroitic period, combined with less negative δ13C values. These trends suggest a shift towards more arid conditions associated with changes in agricultural practices and land use that may have contributed to the kingdom's dissolution.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 86%

Isotopic evidence of an environmental shift at the fall of the Kushite kingdom of Meroë, Sudan

Kozieradzka-Ogunmakin,

Sołtysiak

2023

Antiquity

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“…Deteriorating climatic conditions and aridification that increased over time (Gatto & Zerboni, 2015) could also have had an impact on the ability to cultivate land: less rainfall, less fertile land, and more arable weeds (Development, 2015), especially in the areas with already harsh environments and underlying geology. A study on respiratory disease in people buried in Medieval sites from the 4th cataract in ancient Nubia, (Davies Barrett et al, 2021Barrett et al, , 2018 observed high levels of maxillary sinusitis, possibly indicating that the populations were exposed to particulate pollution (sand and dust), supporting the view that environmental factors were impacting the health of people living in ancient Nubia at this time. These two factors possibly resulted in an increase in the amount of labor required to work the land, as well as the intensification of agriculture (Binder, 2014;Davies-Barrett et al, 2018: 143).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Spondylolysis in ancient Nubian skeletal populations

Tipper

Wilson

Roberts

2023

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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A comprehensive study of spinal health in ancient Nubia has not been achieved to date. This study is a component of a larger survey of spinal health. It presents a comparative analysis of spondylolysis, with the aim of providing an insight into the quality of life, environmental and socio‐political stresses faced by individuals in ancient Nubia. This study provides bioarchaeological data from 515 adult individuals with preserved lumbar vertebrae (where spondylolysis is most commonly observed) from five populations that date from the Meroitic to the Medieval period (350 BC–1500 AD). Contextual data from settlements and cemeteries were used to interpret the data. The results demonstrated an overall crude prevalence of 6.6% for spondylolysis (individuals affected with vertebrae preserved) and an overall true prevalence of 1.2% (number of lumbar vertebrae affected). The data also revealed a number of possible trends, for example, that males were most affected, that there was an increase in prevalence over time, with the highest prevalence rates observed in the Medieval period, and that there was a higher prevalence rate among the populations from Mis Island compared with the other populations. It is possible that activities such as farming, building or rowing as well as socio‐political changes could have contributed to the prevalence of spondylolysis seen in this study.

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“…For example, the categories of “pitting” and “white pitted bone” can cause confusion due to similarity in the terminology of “pitting”/“pitted.” Additionally, the use of the term “white” does not take into account the range of taphonomic processes that can lead to discoloration of various types within the sinuses, as well as differences in color visualization using an endoscope. For this reason, some researchers have begun to refer to “white pitted bone” as “porous new bone” instead (Davies‐Barrett, Owens, & Eeckhout, 2021; Davies‐Barrett, Roberts, & Antoine, 2021). Further, distinguishing between spicules and remodeled spicules can be difficult when the extent of remodeling is only subtle (Lee et al, 2024).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Thus, the recording of bone changes within the maxillary sinuses as evidence of sinusitis has become a popular avenue of research in recent years (e.g., Boyd, 2020; Casna et al, 2021; Davies‐Barrett, Owens, & Eeckhout, 2021; Davies‐Barrett, Roberts, & Antoine, 2021; Riccomi et al, 2021; Zubova et al, 2022). It is common for population prevalence studies to compare results with those produced by other researchers or to incorporate data collected in previous studies (e.g., Davies‐Barrett, Roberts, & Antoine, 2021; Riccomi et al, 2021; Roberts, 2007; Zubova et al, 2022). The accurate comparison of prevalence rates of sinusitis within different populations is vital if we seek to further contextualize our understanding of the impact of different risk factors on respiratory health in the past.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since its publication, the majority of sinusitis studies have employed these criteria, with slight modifications. However, issues with the original methods have been raised, which revolve around the lack of clarity in the terminology and original descriptions, and a deficit in clinical research that can be conclusively linked to the bone changes observed in archaeological human remains (Davies‐Barrett, Owens, & Eeckhout, 2021; Davies‐Barrett, Roberts, & Antoine, 2021; Sundman & Kjellström, 2013). Further, high‐quality photos corresponding to detailed descriptions of the pathological changes considered to represent maxillary sinusitis are often lacking in bioarchaeological studies, making accurate inter‐study comparisons difficult.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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An analysis of interobserver variability in the recording of maxillary sinusitis in human osteoarchaeological remains

Davies‐Barrett,

Casna,

Boyd

et al. 2024

Intl J of Osteoarchaeology

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The accurate comparison of prevalence rates of disease between different groups/populations is vital if we seek to contextualize our understanding of the impact of risk factors on health in the past. The majority of bioarchaeological studies of maxillary sinusitis employ the methods and “diagnostic criteria” outlined by Boocock and colleagues in 1995. However, until now, few attempts have been made to assess the inter‐rater reliability of these methods. This study presents the results of the analysis of interobserver variability in the recording of bone changes related to maxillary sinusitis among three observers within three human osteoarchaeological populations. The results of Cohen's kappa coefficient tests indicated variability in agreement between different observers. The agreement on the presence/absence of maxillary sinusitis in different osteoarchaeological populations ranged from κ = 0.433 (“moderate” agreement) to κ = 0.629 (“substantial” agreement). The agreement on the type of bone change present within affected sinuses was often poor, with almost no to negative agreement for pitting (Observers 1 and 2) and remodeled spicules (Observers 1 and 3). Methodological problems that can impact consistency of results between researchers include variability in sinus preservation, duration of observer experience, the use of different endoscopic equipment, lack of clarity in the original method descriptions, and a deficit in clinical corroborations for bone changes. The results of this study highlight the need to improve standards for the recording of bone changes related to sinusitis to allow for meaningful comparisons of past maxillary sinusitis frequency rates. Further investigations of interobserver variability, incorporating a greater range of variables, are also required.

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Time to be nosy: Evaluating the impact of environmental and sociocultural changes on maxillary sinusitis in the Middle Nile Valley (Neolithic to Medieval periods)

Cited by 10 publications

References 86 publications

Isotopic evidence of an environmental shift at the fall of the Kushite kingdom of Meroë, Sudan

Isotopic evidence of an environmental shift at the fall of the Kushite kingdom of Meroë, Sudan

Spondylolysis in ancient Nubian skeletal populations

An analysis of interobserver variability in the recording of maxillary sinusitis in human osteoarchaeological remains

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