Degenerative alterations of the spine in an Early Mediaeval population from Mannheim-Seckenheim, Germany

Abstract

Palaeopathological and palaeoepidemiological analyses of human skeletal remains are some of the most important bases for the reconstruction of life of past populations. The assessment of frequency and degree of pathological alterations contributes to conclusions of a population's health status, labour conditions, and environmental influences. Degenerative diseases of the spine are among the most common lesions observed in archaeological human remains. The large number of excavated Early Mediaeval cemeteries in Germany enables the comparison of contemporary populations increasing the reliability of conclusions regarding their living conditions.In this study, 112 adult individuals with largely complete and well preserved spines from the Early Mediaeval population of Mannheim-Seckenheim were analysed for pattern and degree of degenerative changes of the spine. The severity of degeneration was recorded using modified categories originally presented by Lutter (1984) for spondylosis deformans and spondylarthrosis deformans scaling from 0 to 4. In addition, the presence of Schmorl's nodes was recorded and the vertebrae were examined for signs of Scheuermann's disease.In general, there was a high prevalence of degenerative diseases of the spine and males were affected more often and to a greater degree than females. The frequency of spondylosis deformans and spondylarthrosis deformans increased with age. In comparison with other Early Mediaeval series there was a much higher prevalence of degenerative diseases in Mannheim-Seckenheim, although most instances were mild manifestations. No cases of Scheuermann's disease (defined as three adjacent vertebrae with wedging of 5° or more and anterior extensions) were identified in the studied sample.