History of Arthritis and Bone Rarefaction Evidence from Paleopathology Onwards

Abstract

Review of medical and archaeologicalpapers reveals that osteoarthritis has been common in humans and hominids since Paleolithic times. In the British Isles, there was a particularly high prevalence in remains from Romano-British and Saxon burials suggesting that, whatever genetic factors there may have been, there was an extremely high level ofphysical activity. The prevalence ofthe condition was lower in late Medieval times; and, in at least one study ofsubjects from the 18th and 19th centuries, lower than in the currentpopulation. In early times, there was a reduction in bone density when there was a change from hunter gathering to agriculture which may have resultedfrom a change physical activity. Severe cases ofosteoporosis have been identifiedfrom individual skeletons dated to the Bronze Age. In the Early Medieval period of Nubia there was progressive bone loss in women. Multiple pregnancy, prolonged lactation and dietary deficiency may have been factors. Though women from the 18th and 19th centuries experiencedpost-menopausal bone loss, this was not as severe as in the present day.