Palaeopathology of sub-adults from Gonur-Depe (Turkmenistan)

Abstract

The palaeopathological study of sub-adult sample comprising 215 individuals from Gonur-depe Bronze Age site (Bactria-Margiana archaeological complex, Turkmenistan) has shown predominance of dental diseases and indicators of anemia compared to other types of bone lesions. Low frequency of traces of infections, as well as absence of a single case of scurvy, rickets or trauma suggest the optimal living conditions of the population. The typical prevalence of different types of osseous pathology in the sample was probably driven by high population density and farming activities as the main factors of morbidity.

Keywords

• palaeopathology
• sub-adults
• Bronze Age
• Gonur-depe
• Turkmenistan