This research has focussed on frailty and stress in the late medieval and early modern populations of the Broerenkerk in Zwolle and the Eusebiuskerk in Arnhem, in order to understand how stress...Show moreThis research has focussed on frailty and stress in the late medieval and early modern populations of the Broerenkerk in Zwolle and the Eusebiuskerk in Arnhem, in order to understand how stress affected individuals from different sexes, age categories, and status. To understand this, three methods were used: linear enamel hypoplasia, cribra orbitalia, and porotic hyperostosis. In total, 84 skeletons were analysed. The populations have been analysed with each other as well as on their own. The methods have been compared to each other to understand whether they might relate to each other and whether it was likely that they occurred within a skeleton simultaneously. Results showed that there was no statistical significance within or between the sex and age-at-death categories within and between the populations, except for the cribra orbitalia results between the population of the Eusebiuskerk and the Broerenkerk. This has been linked to status: the population buried in the Broerenkerk was of a higher status than the population of the Eusebiuskerk. Although they were likely not extremely rich, as illustrated by the job names presented on the covering slabs, they likely had better access to food. The population of the Eusebiuskerk was likely to be of a very poor status due to trade tokens found with the individuals and because they were buried in the northern church grounds. The fact that the individuals from Zwolle showed less linear enamel hypoplasia might be the result of them experiencing less long term stress. Poor individuals lived close together in guesthouses, which means that illnesses could spread faster. So, it is clear that stress affected statuses differently, and that individuals from Arnhem were more fragile as a result. Yet, care must be taken as limitations are present.Show less
A sample of 101 individuals from the osteological collection of Middenbeemster, a 19th century Dutch rural population, was analysed for scorbutic lesions denoting the prevalence of scurvy within...Show moreA sample of 101 individuals from the osteological collection of Middenbeemster, a 19th century Dutch rural population, was analysed for scorbutic lesions denoting the prevalence of scurvy within the population. The method used for this analysis was recently published by Snoddy et al. (2018), and collected features described throughout the paleopathological and clinical literature, as well as adding two new lesions to create a system with a weighted diagnosis. The sample was analysed for the presence or absence of these features and the individuals were given a diagnosis ranging from a probable, to possible, to an unlikely diagnosis of scurvy. The prevalence was found to be 74,5% in the total sample, with 80,95% within the non- adults, and 73,75% in the adults respectively. The individuals diagnosed with probable scurvy were found to also exhibit lesions associated with rickets, osteomalacia, and iron deficiency anaemia. It was also found that younger individuals under 6 years of age and adults over 50 were the most likely demographic to suffer from scurvy. Further research should further investigate Snoddy et al.’s (2018) proposed lesions, examine comorbidity with associated conditions, and investigate a genetic predisposition towards the development of the disease.Show less
