Probable Cases of Scurvy in Subadults Crania from Archaeological Sites, South Korea.
10.11637/kjpa.2017.30.4.135
- Author:
Eun Jin WOO
1
;
Hyunwoo JUNG
;
Chae Lin JEON
Author Information
1. Division in Anatomy & Developmental Biology, Department of Oral Biology, BK21 PLUS Project, Human Identification Research Institute, Yonsei University College of Dentistry, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Scurvy;
Nutritional deficiency;
Vitamin;
Human skeleton;
Paleopathology
- MeSH:
Diet;
Korea*;
Malnutrition;
Metabolism;
Paleopathology;
Porosity;
Prevalence;
Scurvy*;
Skeleton;
Vitamins
- From:Korean Journal of Physical Anthropology
2017;30(4):135-143
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
In this study, the skeletal abnormalities associated with scurvy in subadults crania from three archaeological skeletal collections (Nukdo, Imdang, Yeanri), South Korea was analyzed to examine the prevalence and distribution of childhood scurvy of ancient Korea. For this, 30 subadults crania from the Nukdo, Imdang, Yeanri site were examined. Using criteria described by Ortner and Ericksen (1997) for identifying scurvy in skeletal material we evaluated the cranial skeleton of the subadults for evidence of abnormal porosity. All skeletal materials were macroscopically evaluated for pathological changes associated with scurvy. In results, lesions indicative of probable scurvy were observed in 22 individuals of 30 individuals. Based on the results, childhood disease relating to nutrition and metabolism in ancient Korea might have been widespread, along with scurvy. The results of the present study will be useful for understanding the health condition of the ancient Korean populations. Future work will add significantly to the larger picture of diet and disease within populations of ancient Korea.
