The aim of this thesis is to examine the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) theory and its usefulness in the analysis of past populations. The DOHaD hypothesis states that many...Show moreThe aim of this thesis is to examine the Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) theory and its usefulness in the analysis of past populations. The DOHaD hypothesis states that many modern day diseases and a negative health in adulthood can be attributed to stressful events that happened earlier in pregnancy, infancy or childhood. This thesis analyses if individuals that were affected by physiological stress during childhood were more likely to develop tuberculosis. Individuals from two Dutch skeletal collections are studied: Middenbeemster, a post medieval rural community and Alkmaar, a medieval city. To identify childhood stress in the past, several non-specific indicators of stress are examined in juveniles and adults: stature, Harris lines, cribra orbitalia and dental enamel hypoplasia. Although these skeletal markers have multiple and overlapping aetiologies, the presence and severity of these skeletal lesions may provide insight into the resistance to stress and which sort of environmental stress could have been a risk factor to tuberculosis. Further, it is examined if any of the skeletal markers can be associated with a specific category of tuberculous lesions. Skeletal tuberculosis is divided in definitive, probable and possible lesions. Statistical analyses were performed to determine if there was a difference in the prevalence of each stress marker in the group affected with tuberculosis (definitive, possible or probable cases) and the group of individuals that was not affected by this infection. Statistical results demonstrates that delayed growth may have been a risk factor to tuberculosis in the Alkmaar population, though it was not statistically significant. The prevalence rates of Harris lines, cribra orbitalia (CO) and dental enamel hypoplasia (DEH) were high in the Alkmaar population, in contrast to the Middenbeemster population. However, these three stress markers were associated with tuberculosis in the Middenbeemster sample, in contrast to Alkmaar. CO and DEH were particularly associated with possible tuberculous lesions (new bone formation on the ribs and vascularization of or pits/grooves on the vertebral bodies). Additionally, CO could also be associated with definitive tuberculous lesions. Results show that childhood stresses, such as poor nutrition or disease could have been a risk factor that made individuals more susceptible to tuberculosis. This thesis also discusses the interpretational and methodological limitations of using the DOHaD on the skeletal remains of past populations. Factors that may have influenced the interpretation if early stress increases the risk to tuberculosis are considered.Show less
When the body endures physiological stress during childhood it will react by disrupting the growth of skeletal elements. By doing so, the body will be able to utilize nutrients for survival rather...Show moreWhen the body endures physiological stress during childhood it will react by disrupting the growth of skeletal elements. By doing so, the body will be able to utilize nutrients for survival rather than putting energy towards growth. When a physiological disruption leaves a permanent mark on the skeleton or dentition it is called a non-specific indicator of stress. A small vertebral neural canal is one such non-specific indicator of stress. The vertebral neural canal is the hole in each vertebra through which the spinal cord passes. A small vertebral neural canal is an indicator of physiological stress during childhood. This thesis examines the relationship between physiological stress and urbanization by studying the vertebral neural canal size. Adults from St Mary Graces, a medieval skeletal collection with a mixed socioeconomic status, and St Bride’s Lower, a post-medieval collection with a low to middle class socioeconomic status, were analyzed for this study. Both archaeological sites are located in London, England, which was already an urban settlement during medieval times, but became even more urbanized during the post-medieval period. Measurements of the inner and outer diameter of the vertebral neural canal were taken. Statistical analysis was used to determine whether there were any differences in vertebral neural canal size between the two archaeological sites. The data was also used to establish whether there were any differences in vertebral neural canal size between sexes and age groups. Results show that the physiological stress did not increase with increased urbanization in the St Bride’s Lower sample and that males benefited more from the further urbanization of London than the females. The study also showed that only the inner diameter, and not the outer diameter, provided information on physiological stress. Overall, this study has further defined the possibilities and limitations of using the vertebral neural canal diameter as an indicator of stress and increased our understanding of the impact of urbanization on physiological stress.Show less