Bone mineral density through history: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in archaeological populations of Norway

Elin T Brødholt,Clara-Cecilie Günther,Kaare M Gautvik,Torstein Sjøvold,Per Holck

doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2021.102792

Abstract

Information regarding bone mineral density (BMD) and related variations through prehistoric and historic time periods in Norway is scarce. We present results of BMD measurements of 222 individuals from four rural and urban burial sites representing the medieval and post-Reformation period using osteological analysis and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Existing BMD data from 137 individuals dating to the Late Iron Age and medieval period were incorporated. Young medieval females have the highest mean BMD of all time periods, including the modern female population, and significant higher mean BMD than young females from the Late Iron Age (p = 0.02; q = 0.093). Mean BMD increased significantly from the Late Iron Age to the medieval period (p = 0.0002) followed by a significant decline from the medieval to the post-Reformation period (p = 0.014). The overall results reveal significant BMD variation through prehistoric and historic time periods in Norway. The patterns of age-related bone loss observed in the archaeological record are diverse with substantial temporal changes suggesting a transition towards a modern pattern. The bone loss often exceeds that observed in the population today. This study sheds light on long-term historical trends and patterns in Norway by examining BMD variation and age-related bone loss in adult life of males and females within three archaeological time periods and compared to present populations.

Highlights

Reduction of bone mass is a natural part of the ageing process in both sexes, but is especially marked in women after menopause (Agarwal and Stout, 2003; Aufderheide and Rodríguez-Martín, 1998)
The current study revealed that only young adult females in the Medieval period had higher mean bone mineral density (BMD) (p = 0.02, q-value 0.13) than the modern population, while middle adult males in the Late Iron Age and old adult males in the Post-Reformation Period had lower mean BMD (p = 0.01, q-value 0.12 and p = 0.01, q-value 0.12, respectively)
Our results showed that the patterns of age-related BMD variations in the archaeological periods were diverse and indicated substantial change with time

Summary

Introduction

Reduction of bone mass is a natural part of the ageing process in both sexes, but is especially marked in women after menopause (Agarwal and Stout, 2003; Aufderheide and Rodríguez-Martín, 1998). Research on archaeological skeletal material from Norway (Holck, 2007; Mays et al, 2006a; TurnerWalker et al, 2001) has focused mainly on the medieval period and lead to few conclusive results regarding long-term trends and patterns of changes from prehistoric to modern times. This study addresses this knowledge gap and uncovers characteristics of BMD variations throughout history in Norway, seeking possible temporal patterns. Results are seen in relation to comparative paleopatho logical studies of femur neck BMD and age-related bone loss, both within Scandinavia (Bennike and Bohr, 1990; Ekenman et al, 1995; Holck, 2007; Mays et al, 2006a; Poulsen et al, 2001; Turner-Walker et al, 2000b, 2001) and in Europe in general (Curate and Tavares, 2018; Hammerl et al, 1990; Kneissel et al, 1994; Lees et al, 1993; Mays et al, 2006b; Mays, et al, 1998; Mays, 1996, 2006)

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion