Premium
Extreme osteoporosis in a sixth century skeleton from the Negev desert
Author(s) -
Foldes A. Joseph,
Moscovici Anka,
Popovtzer Mordecai M.,
Mogle Paul,
Urman Daniel,
Zias Joe
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
international journal of osteoarchaeology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1099-1212
pISSN - 1047-482X
DOI - 10.1002/oa.1390050208
Subject(s) - skeleton (computer programming) , osteoporosis , densitometry , life expectancy , paleopathology , axial skeleton , desert (philosophy) , medicine , vitamin d deficiency , vitamin d and neurology , dentistry , pathology , anatomy , environmental health , population , philosophy , epistemology
Osteoporosis was probably rare in ancient times due to the short life expectancy. An extremely osteopaenic skeleton of an adult female who lived in the Negev Desert c. AD 500 was studied using radiology, bone densitometry and histomorphometry. Possible aetiologic factors are discussed, with special emphasis on calcium and/or vitamin D deficiency, because nutritional deficiency has been described in Bedouin women who retain traditional dietary habits resembling those prevalent in the Negev region in antiquity.