Differential diagnosis between palaeopathological and non-pathological post-mortem environmental factors in ancient human remains

Abstract

Differential diagnosis in palaeopathology must be applied not only to the study of actual pathological changes, but also to the identification and discrimination of post mortem environmental factors, resulting from different forms of burial or preservation of the material. In mummified remains, it is necessary to consider the phenomena related to the process of mummifi cation and the storage conditions in both tombs and museum. When examining osteological material in addition to the common changes due to soil and water erosion, one must consider the effects of parasites, insects and small rodents. Some interesting cases from Bronze period, Middle Age and Ancient Egypt mummified bodies are discussed in this work.