Examination of the skeleton of an adult male from the Celtic necropolis of Casalecchio di Reno (Bologna, Italy; 4th-3rd century BC) revealed some lesions on the feet, especially bilateral acro-osteolysis of the metatarsals, and on the tibia, fibula and hand. The morphological and radiographic characteristics of the bones are consistent with a diagnosis of leprosy. Other features of the rhinomaxillary region support this diagnosis. As far as we know, this case could represent the oldest skeletal evidence of leprosy in Europe, indicating the early spread of this disease toward the Western world.
MARIOTTI V., DUTOUR O., BELCASTRO M.G., FACCHINI F., BRASILI P. (2005). Probable early presence of leprosy in Europe in a Celtic skeleton of 4th-3rd century B.C. (Casalecchio di Reno, Bologna, Italy). INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OSTEOARCHAEOLOGY, 15, 5, 311-325.
Probable early presence of leprosy in Europe in a Celtic skeleton of 4th-3rd century B.C. (Casalecchio di Reno, Bologna, Italy).
MARIOTTI, VALENTINA;BELCASTRO, MARIA GIOVANNA;FACCHINI, FIORENZO;BRASILI, PATRICIA
2005
Abstract
Examination of the skeleton of an adult male from the Celtic necropolis of Casalecchio di Reno (Bologna, Italy; 4th-3rd century BC) revealed some lesions on the feet, especially bilateral acro-osteolysis of the metatarsals, and on the tibia, fibula and hand. The morphological and radiographic characteristics of the bones are consistent with a diagnosis of leprosy. Other features of the rhinomaxillary region support this diagnosis. As far as we know, this case could represent the oldest skeletal evidence of leprosy in Europe, indicating the early spread of this disease toward the Western world.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
