RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of gastro-intestinal parasites in human remains from Late Antiquity (5th - 7th c.) Granada (Spain). MATERIALS: The study included pelvic and cranial control samples from 17 skeletons from the archaeological sites of Los Mondragones (n = 13) and Rafael Guillén (n = 4). METHODS: In the paleoparasitological study, soil samples from pelvic area and cranium were analyzed using the rehydration, homogenization, and micro-sieving method and visualization under brightfield microscopy. RESULTS: Ascaris sp. eggs were detected in pelvic samples from seven individuals. CONCLUSIONS: These findings may indicate that this parasite was endemic. Its detection frequency is one of the highest reported at group level in an osteological series from Late Antiquity. SIGNIFICANCE: The prevalence of Ascaris sp. associated with skeletal remains has implications for assessing the lifestyle and health of populations in southern Spain during the Late Antique period. LIMITATIONS: The number of individuals is small and taphonomic processes could have limited paleoparasitological findings SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Future interdisciplinary studies of this type are warranted in larger osteological series to improve knowledge of parasitosis in the past.
Assuntos
Ascaris , Enteropatias Parasitárias , Animais , Humanos , Espanha/epidemiologia , Prevalência , Enteropatias Parasitárias/epidemiologia , Enteropatias Parasitárias/parasitologia , ArqueologiaRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: This study aims to expand knowledge of Concha bullosa in a prehistoric population. MATERIALS: The skull of an adult female from the Bronze Age archeological site ofCastellón Alto (Granada, Spain), dated between 1900 and 1600 BCE. METHODS: The diagnosis of middle turbinateconcha bullosa was based on macroscopic, radiographic, and computed tomography studies. RESULTS: This is one of the oldest findings ofconcha bullosa in Europe. Despite the possible obstruction of the osteomeatal complex by the concha bullosa in this individual, no signs of sinusitis were observed in maxillary sinuses. CONCLUSIONS: The maxillary sinuses of this female showed no signs of sinusitis related to theconcha bullosa. SIGNIFICANCE: This study provides new evidence on the chronological limits of this condition. The particular funeral rites of these populations have preserved the majority of skeletons at this site in an excellent condition. LIMITATIONS: The identification ofconcha bullosa continues to be rare in ancient populations, in part due to the poor preservation of nasal bones in archeological collections. Suggestions for further research: Detailed study of the nasal cavity of adequately preserved individuals can be expected to identify further cases of concha bullosa in ancient populations.