Thesis (M.A.) -- University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2005. / Title from title page screen (viewed on Jul. 7, 2005). Thesis advisor: Lee Meadows Jantz. Document formatted into pages (xviii, 218 p. : ill.(chiefly col.), maps). Vita. Includes bibliographical references (p. 136-148).

Thesis (M.A.)--Memorial University of Newfoundland, 2004. / Bibliography: leaves 142-151.

Diseases and disorders of the temporomandibular joint are commonly encountered clinically. This has lead to most temporomandibular research focusing upon the pathologies that affect the joint and their proposed aetiologies. Little of this research has been conucted on the prehistoric Polynesians. Therefore, this study was developed in order to determine the type and pattern of any temporomandibular pathologies in the prehistoric Maori and Moriori and to investigate their possible aetiologies. For this study a sample of 89 prehistoric Maori and Moriori skulls were used. All temporomandibular pathologies were recorded by type, location, and severity. Where possible, the ecological and geographical provenance of each individual was recorded and their sex and age estimated. This enabled an analysis of whether the prevalence and severity of temporomandibular degeneration varied between provenances or sexes, and if the occurrence of temporomandibular pathology increased with age. The condition of the dentition was also recorded for each individual as the dentition has been implicated in many previous studies to be an aetiological factor in temporomandibular degeneration. The dental conditions examined include; tooth attrition, inflammation of infection of the alveolar bone, dental caries, and fern root planes. Finally, the presence of any congenital or developmental anomalies and condylar enthesophytes were recorded in order to investigate if these conditions had any relationship to the occurrence of temporomandibular degeneration. A high prevalence of temporomandibular degenerative joint disease was found in this sample. No primary relationship was seen between age, congenital or developmental anomalies, condylar enthesophytes and temporomandibular degeneration. Furthermore, despite a high proportion of these individuals having very worn teeth, with consequent infection and tooth loss, no primary relationships were found between the selected dental conditions and temporomandibular degeneration either. However, a significant association was found between the selected dental conditions and temporomandibular degeneration either. A significant association was found between the sex of the individual and temporomandibular pathology, with males being more frequently and severely affected than the females. This appeared to be due differences in dietary type between the sex of the individual and temporomandibular pathology, with males being more frequently and severely affected than the females. This appeared to be due to differences in dietary type between the sexes resulting in more severe biomechanical degeneration recorded may be caused by excessive biomechanical loading possibly resulting from the diet or as a consequence of the Polynesian morphology. Interestingly, over one third of the sample had grooving in at least one fossae. It is proposed that this grooving may have either a hereditary component, or result from a specific morphological variation that is present in the prehistoric Maori and Moriori.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Chicago, Department of Anthropology, June 2001. / Includes bibliographical references. Also available on the Internet.

Humans have experienced neoplastic disease since antiquity as evidenced by its frequent mentions in numerous ancient medical texts from diverse cultures. However, the skeletal record does not always corroborate this fact, as archaeological cases of neoplasms are not found as often as other more recognizable diseases. Numerous reasons have been given for this disparity ranging from cancer killing the individual before skeletal lesions could form to the idea that tumours simply do not survive in the archaeological record. As such neoplasms are not often considered when constructing a differential diagnosis and to a larger extent the disease is considered to be a product of the modern age. This thesis examines the identification of neoplasms in archaeological bone using clinical data and comparison to medically diagnosed cancer cases from the University of Athens Human Skeletal Reference Collection. I also developed diagnostic criteria and data forms specifically designed to record and describe neoplastic lesions. This enabled me to develop differential diagnoses for suspected cancer cases in skeletons from the Athenian Agora, ancient Corinth, the Wiener Laboratory at the American School of Classical Studies in Athens and the Anthropology Department of the University of Waterloo. Using the comparative collection, I worked toward identifying characteristics that would make it possible to identify neoplastic lesions and distinguish between primary and secondary malignancies. An unexpected finding was demonstrating that lesions associated with leukemia are similar to those of scurvy, a metabolic disease, and must be considered in differential diagnoses. The methods I employed may be applied elsewhere to other suspected cases of cancer and thus enable more research in cancer???s prevalence in antiquity. This will support the public issue that cancer is not a disease of modernity and that attempts to treat and understand this disease has always been a part of medical history.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Montana State University--Bozeman, 2007. / Typescript. Chairperson, Graduate Committee: David J. Varricchio. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 280-295).

Yes / We read with interest the recent article by Charlier and colleagues entitled “The Mandible of Saint-Louis (1270 AD): Retrospective diagnosis and circumstances of death” [1]. This work, which consisted of macroscopic examination of a mandible purported to belong to the Crusader King of France and a review of historical accounts pertaining to his death, generated a good deal of press coverage and stimulated public interest in the fascinating field of palaeopathology. However, as researchers engaged in studying dental and nutritional disease in archaeological human remains we have some concerns with the methodology employed by the authors and the conclusions reached from the data they have collected. These include issues of provenance, lesion description, diagnostic methodology employed, and problems with historical references.

The life of the pre-European Maori consisted of subsistence strategies ranging from hunter-gatherer to horticultural activities. The femur of both sexes is generally characterised by a flattened proximal shaft rotated inward, and by a short, markedly bowed, robust diaphysis. Femoral rugosity denotes the attachment of relatively great thigh musculature which, in turn, is an indicator of the levels of physical activity associated with the subsistence strategies undertaken. The femoral neck and head is distinguished from contemporary populations and those of comparative subsistence strategies by a larger anterior offset (anteversion) and greater horizontal inclination (Coxa valga). In addition to consistently large femoral anteversion, the femoral head is denoted by a broad, horizontally oval insertion for the ligament of the head (fovea). These external morphological traits are such consistent features within the femur they represent racial attributes of the pre-European Maori population. The femoral morphology of the pre-European Maori has been described by earlier researchers dating back 109 years to 1886. However, there have been limited functional evaluations of the external traits, in particular, how traits are associated with respect to each other. To resolve these limitations and determine a biological basis to femoral morphology a comprehensive analysis of external traits from the femur and pelvis is combined with the biomechanical properties of geometric profiles at six cross-sectional levels of the diaphysis. From six major regions within New Zealand a total of 107 pooled femora in three catalogued �series� were measured, of these 52 are male and 55 female, and there are 22 pairs (11 male pairs, 11 female pairs). The external traits measured comprise articular areas, femoral angles, diaphyseal dimensions, and anterior shaft curvature. In addition, pelvic dimensions for matching femora are recorded. Cross-sectional parameters derived from profile areas and second moments of area provide information on compressive strength, and bending rigidities and orientation at each cross-sectional level. Statistical methods employed are univariate F-ratios and Student�s t-test, bivariate correlation coefficients, and multivariate principal components, discriminant function, and linear regression. In this study of the pre-European Maori it is suggested that the normal developmental changes in femoral angles are prevented by extrinsic mechanical influences, such as habitual posture, high levels of physical activity, and greater musculature that alter growth plate morphogenesis. Femoral angles are �set� on epiphyseal fusion and have limited ability to remodel. The femoral diaphysis in the adult undergoes continual remodelling at the periosteal and endosteal surfaces and provides adaptive plasticity to mechanical loading at the hip and knee. Results indicate differences in absolute and relative values of external and cross-sectional traits that indicate mechanical loading patterns specific to each sex. Functional interpretation of inter-trait associations suggests that; 1) associations between external traits indicate the functional effect of growth and development on femoral size and shape characteristics. 2) Associations within cross-sectional parameters show relationships between appositional remodelling activity and structural strength. 3) Associations between external and internal traits indicate the importance of mechanical loading patterns established during growth and adulthood to final femoral morphology and subsequently to adaptive remodelling of the adult shaft.

On October 7th, 2004, construction of the Saskatchewan Forest Centre Building in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan was temporarily halted due to the exposure of human remains from within the soil matrix. Subsequent archaeological investigation revealed the presence of numerous rectangular soil stains suggesting the presence of additional interments within the construction site. The remains of two individuals were recovered during this original construction exposure. The following spring, Western Heritage Services, Inc., in coordination with the Department of Archaeology, University of Saskatchewan, conducted an extensive excavation at the site which unearthed 19 individuals of different racial affiliation, sex, and age. Interment location and an extensive document and literature review suggest that this was the cemetery established by Rev. James Nisbet, founder of the Prince Albert mission. This mission would evolve into the City of Prince Albert. The historic significance and sensitive nature of the site required the involvement of several interest groups including the Heritage Resource Branch of the Department of Saskatchewan Culture, Youth and Recreation, the Prince Albert Historical Society, and above all, St. Pauls Presbyterian Church which was responsible for the reinterment of the Forest Centre individuals and was an indispensable source of information. Prior to reinterment, a fundamental osteological and paleopathological examination was conducted for each of the 21 individuals. Coordination and completion of cultural material analysis was performed by Amanda Boechler, an undergraduate archaeology student of the University of Saskatchewan and Mark MacKenzie of the Western Development Museum. Preliminary results may be found within the final site report issued by Western Heritage Services, Inc. dated November, 2005.

On October 7th, 2004, construction of the Saskatchewan Forest Centre Building in Prince Albert, Saskatchewan was temporarily halted due to the exposure of human remains from within the soil matrix. Subsequent archaeological investigation revealed the presence of numerous rectangular soil stains suggesting the presence of additional interments within the construction site. The remains of two individuals were recovered during this original construction exposure. The following spring, Western Heritage Services, Inc., in coordination with the Department of Archaeology, University of Saskatchewan, conducted an extensive excavation at the site which unearthed 19 individuals of different racial affiliation, sex, and age. Interment location and an extensive document and literature review suggest that this was the cemetery established by Rev. James Nisbet, founder of the Prince Albert mission. This mission would evolve into the City of Prince Albert. The historic significance and sensitive nature of the site required the involvement of several interest groups including the Heritage Resource Branch of the Department of Saskatchewan Culture, Youth and Recreation, the Prince Albert Historical Society, and above all, St. Pauls Presbyterian Church which was responsible for the reinterment of the Forest Centre individuals and was an indispensable source of information. Prior to reinterment, a fundamental osteological and paleopathological examination was conducted for each of the 21 individuals. Coordination and completion of cultural material analysis was performed by Amanda Boechler, an undergraduate archaeology student of the University of Saskatchewan and Mark MacKenzie of the Western Development Museum. Preliminary results may be found within the final site report issued by Western Heritage Services, Inc. dated November, 2005.