Alltagsstress in Liushui: Krankheitsbilder des Bewegungsapparetes im bronzezeitlichen Westchina

• Autores: Julia Gresky, Wu Xinhua, Mayke Wagner, Tyede Schmidt-Schultz, Michael Schultz
• Localización: Eurasia antiqua: Zeitschrift für Archäologie Eurasiens, ISSN 0949-0434, Nº. 14, 2008, págs. 167-191
• Idioma: alemán
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• Resumen

  • Paleopathological investigations on archaeological skele· tons of the population from liushui in Xinjiang, West China dating from the late Bronze Age to the Early Iron Age were carried out on 68 individuals from 21 burials.

    The settlement belonging to the population has not yet been found, therefore, information about the living conditions of the population can only be obtained from paleopathological Ilndíngs. Even if the 50ft tissue is lacking, evi· dence of diseases of the musculoskeletal system can be seen clearly from the bone. The skeletons were examined with macroscopic and optical-microscopic techniques. To arrive at same idea about the living and working conditions of this population, stress markers of the musculoskeletal system such as, for instance, ligamentopathia, myotendo· pathia and stress fractures were diagnosed.

    Pathological processes of tendons occur as dylitis of the humerus (Fig. 1), knee dinitis of the Achilles' tendon (Fig. as well as tendovagi· nitis 4) and rupture of tendons (Fig. 5). Also calcaneal spurs could be found (Fig. 6, 7). More pathological pro· cesses are ruptures of ligaments 8), Myotendopathia (Fig. 9), ruptures of muscles, and myositis ossificans as a remnant of ruptures of muscle fibers (Fig. 10).

    Pathological processes of bones appear as stressfractures of the bones of the feet (Fig. 11), the acromion of the scapula 12), the vertebral arch (spondylolysis), the joints of the vertebral body and vertebral arch 13, 14, 15). As vestiges of degenerative processes, both the extremity joints (Fig. 16) and the vertebral joints (spondylosis and spondylarthrosis) 17) show arthrosis. Osteochondritis deformans juvenilis dorsi 18,19) can also be seen.

    Musculoskeletal diseases can be found with high The highest occurrence of pathological processes shown in the lower extremities. This is a hinl for an increased exposure from running or walking. Many pathological changes can be seen which, nowadays, occur in runners suffering from chronic stress injuries. Far the population of liushui they mean an increased stress due to walking long distances especially in mountainous regions wilh jumping and climbing on hard underground. Similarly pathological processes af the spine can lead back to these circumstances.

    In the upper extremities particularly the shoulder and ellbow joints are affected. Working wíth a hammer or scraper could be responsíble for these pathologícal changes. Also carrying heavy loads or breaking in a horse could lead to signs of stress.

    Many pathological changes are evídence for inten· síve horse ríding: fractures of vertebral bodies are caused by compressive stress over a long timeperiod. Osteochondritis deformans juvenilis dorsi is due to increased stress duríng adolescence and can be enforced by immoderate riding. Also arthrosis, especiaUy in the lower parts of the spine, together with ligamentopathía could be a distinct indication of riding.

    According to the paleopathological investigations the population of Liushui seem to have had a predomí· nantly nomadic way of life. The pathological changes examined can be explained by very exhausting physícalload and actívíties that required much strength and skill in riding.