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The  Nabe-kaburi  is a unique burial method, the purpose of which is shrouded in mystery. The burials were performed during the 15 th  to 18 th  centuries in eastern Japan, and involved covering the heads of the deceased with iron pots or mortars. The identification of leprosy-specific osteological lesions among some of the excavated remains has led to the suggestion that  Nabe-kaburi  burials were a reflection of the social stigma against certain infectious diseases, such as leprosy, tuberculosis or syphilis. However, molecular evidence for the presence of disease has been lacking. The goal of this study was to detect  Mycobacterium leprae  ( M. leprae ) DNA in archaeological human skeletal remains from  Nabe-kaburi  burials. The paleopathological data from three  Nabe-kaburi  burials were re-evaluated before small samples were taken from affected and control areas. DNA was extracted and used as a template to target the  M. leprae -specific DNA using a combination of whole genome amplification, PCR analysis and DNA sequencing.  M. leprae  DNA fragments were detected in the two sets of skeletal remains that had also shown paleopathological evidence of leprosy. These findings provide definitive evidence that some of the  Nabe-kaburi  burials were performed for people affected by leprosy. Demonstration of the presence of  M. leprae  DNA, combined with archeological and anthropological examinations, will aid in solving the mystery of why  Nabe-kaburi  burials were performed in medieval Japan.

plos one

Paleopathological Evidence and Detection of Mycobacterium leprae DNA from Archaeological Skeletal Remains of Nabe-kaburi (Head-Covered with Iron Pots) Burials in Japan