Research Interests:
Research Interests:
The effect of rheumatic and infectious diseases on skeletal remains provides an important source of information for knowledge of contemporary medicine. Few pathologic conditions have attracted so much interest as treponematoses. One of... more
The effect of rheumatic and infectious diseases on skeletal remains provides an important source of information for knowledge of contemporary medicine. Few pathologic conditions have attracted so much interest as treponematoses. One of these, syphilis, was the most feared venereal disease throughout the civilized world until the introduction of penicillin in the 20th century. To describe paleopathological and ceramic illustrations of treponematoses in ancient Mexico. Paleopathological and ceramic material examples from the National Institute of Anthropology and History of Mexico were reviewed. A unique paleopathologic site for treponemal diseases comprises the La Candelaria Cave skeletal collection from northern Mexico. The cave was used as a burial site and contained the bones of at least 83 adults and 33 subadults. Fifty-one percent of the recovered skulls possess erosions of the vault consistent with treponematoses. Some of these exhibit the impressive frontal bone lytic changes with irregular borders typical of caries sicca. In addition, periostosis of the long bones was found in up to 88% of the study sample, including 6 examples of saber-shin deformity of tibias. Radiocarbon dating (-C) of a bone retrieved from the cave ranges from 1100 to 1300 A.D. Additionally, a Pre-Hispanic ceramic figurine from the Mexican state of Nayarit depicting a lame man with multiple nodular skin lesions that suggest gummatous treponemal infection is described. These ancient specimens reinforce the notion that treponemal infection was present on the American Continent before European penetration of the New World. These very advanced paleopathologic lesions and ceramic representations demonstrate the degree to which these diseases wrought devastation before the antibiotic era. In ancient times, treponematoses were true rheumatic diseases that produced profound skeletal abnormalities marked by periosteal accretion and bone destruction.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
... Summary This paper was done in arder to stablish the principal oral affections qfthe Viceroyship population, having the sample of ... españoles comandados por Hernán Cortés, finalizando Una primera etapa iniciada por la llegada de... more
... Summary This paper was done in arder to stablish the principal oral affections qfthe Viceroyship population, having the sample of ... españoles comandados por Hernán Cortés, finalizando Una primera etapa iniciada por la llegada de peninsulares, * ENEP Iztacala ** DAF, INAH ...
Research Interests:
ABSTRACT We describe the archeological and imaging findings of a unique specimen (skull and mandible) with leontiasis ossea (LO) that is on display in the National Museum of Anthropology and History in Mexico City. The specimen shows... more
ABSTRACT We describe the archeological and imaging findings of a unique specimen (skull and mandible) with leontiasis ossea (LO) that is on display in the National Museum of Anthropology and History in Mexico City. The specimen shows diffuse and irregular periosteal bone proliferation, which produces a grossly nodular appearance involving the neurocranium and the facial skeleton. Plain radiography and helical computed tomography revealed generalized hyperostosis obliterating the maxillary and sphenoidal sinuses and 2 exuberant bony masses arising from the maxilla with encroachment of the anterior nasal aperture.Currently, LO is a purely descriptive term applied to a variety of osseous conditions that have in common hyperostosis of craniofacial bones leading to a leonine appearance. Clinicians who see such lionlike facies should consider the main causes of LO, which include renal osteodystrophy, Paget disease and, as most likely in this specimen, fibrous dysplasia.
Research Interests:
El porvenir del cuerpo humano después de la muerte, bajo diferentes circunstancias como entierro, cremación, exposición, abandono, depósito o preservación (momificación, embalsamamiento) supone razonamientos socioculturales complejos.
Research Interests: Humanities and Art
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Objective: Paleopathology helps to define the origin and the migration of diseases. It has been established that genetic and environmental factors play a role in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We investigated whether AS... more
Objective: Paleopathology helps to define the origin and the migration of diseases. It has been established that genetic and environmental factors play a role in the pathogenesis of ankylosing spondylitis (AS). We investigated whether AS was present in Mesoamerica before contact with the European civilization. Methods: We studied the collection of Mesoamerican human skeletal remains preserved at the National Museum of Anthropology of Mexico, searching for features of AS. Results: We found one incomplete specimen of a man of the Postclassic period (900-1521 AD). It showed fusion of the vertebral column from T8 to L5 due to ankylosis of the apophyseal joints and of the spinal processes. The pelvis was not preserved. Radiographs demonstrated ossification of both supraspinous and interspinous ligaments. Conclusion: Our findings suggest AS was present in Mesoamerica before the arrival of Europeans.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Las experiencias de vida -determinadas por la sensibilidad, la plasticidad y la capacidad de reaccion del organismo- plasmadas en esqueletos, momias y fosiles permiten el conocimiento del ser humano a lo largo de su historia. Por medio... more
Las experiencias de vida -determinadas por la sensibilidad, la plasticidad y la capacidad de reaccion del organismo- plasmadas en esqueletos, momias y fosiles permiten el conocimiento del ser humano a lo largo de su historia. Por medio del analisis del tejido oseo y dental se puede lograr una mirada a los modos, las condiciones y la calidad de vida de nuestro antepasados.
Research Interests:
En esta investigacion se realizo un analisis paleopatologico de restos oseos, con el proposito de obtener informacion sobre algunos indicadores de estres observados en ellos, para realizar tal proposito, se uso el modelo de Goodman y... more
En esta investigacion se realizo un analisis paleopatologico de restos oseos, con el proposito de obtener informacion sobre algunos indicadores de estres observados en ellos, para realizar tal proposito, se uso el modelo de Goodman y Martin (1984). La informacion obtenida de este trabajo se pretende comparar con otros muestras. Los resultados muestran que si existieron algunas carencias alimenticias, pero en lo general estas carencias no resultaron importantes para esta poblacion.
Research Interests:
One of the characteristics of the diet in the capital of New Spain is a high consumption of flour and sugar cane. In this contribution a macroscopic study in 38 skeletons found inside San Jeronimos´s church was done in order to evaluate... more
One of the characteristics of the diet in the capital of New Spain is a high consumption of flour and sugar cane. In this contribution a macroscopic study in 38 skeletons found inside San Jeronimos´s church was done in order to evaluate some traits of the buccal health pattern. The prevalence of dental loss and caries suggest to be related to the ingestion of these carbohydrates.
Research Interests:
Como especialidad de la antropologia fisica, la osteologia antropologica busca el conocimiento integral del hombre en su contexto bio-eco-cultural a lo largo de su historia.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Repair of teeth during the XIX century was often a very costly and painful procedure. During this period, restoration of teeth was a procedure limited only to those who could afford such care. In this study we analyzed teeth from a skull... more
Repair of teeth during the XIX century was often a very costly and painful procedure. During this period, restoration of teeth was a procedure limited only to those who could afford such care. In this study we analyzed teeth from a skull sample found in San Jeronimo's Church. The characterization of molar fillings was made with techniques such as X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy. The purpose of this investigation was to establish technical procedures for analysis, and to discuss the results within the context of the socioeconomic status of these individuals and the written descriptions of the dental practice during the XIX century.
Research Interests:
El fenomeno de la momificacion es una de las posibles transformaciones del organismo que se pueden llevar al cabo por la accion de la naturaleza o del hombre despues de la muerte del individuo. Ocurre cuando bacterias u hongos (flora y... more
El fenomeno de la momificacion es una de las posibles transformaciones del organismo que se pueden llevar al cabo por la accion de la naturaleza o del hombre despues de la muerte del individuo. Ocurre cuando bacterias u hongos (flora y fauna cadaverica) se ven imposibilitados para crecer y causar descomposicion. En Mexico existen momias desde la epoca prehispanica, sobre todo en la parte norte del pais, y la mayoria proviene de sitios con un ecosistema arido o semiarido, dentro de cuevas o refugios rocosos donde los cadaveres estan protegidos y se pueden deshidratar de manera rapida
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Secretaría General, Torre de Rectoría, piso 7, México DF Del. Coyoacán, CP 04510. Todos los derechos reservados 2011. Esta página puede ser reproducida con fines no lucrativos, siempre y cuando no... more
Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Secretaría General, Torre de Rectoría, piso 7, México DF Del. Coyoacán, CP 04510. Todos los derechos reservados 2011. Esta página puede ser reproducida con fines no lucrativos, siempre y cuando no se mutile, se cite la ...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Los estudios paleopatologicos de los restos esqueleticos humanos permiten identificar las enfermedades que padecieron los antiguos pobladores. Presentamos el caso de dos especimenes esqueleticos de la epoca virreinal en las que este tipo... more
Los estudios paleopatologicos de los restos esqueleticos humanos permiten identificar las enfermedades que padecieron los antiguos pobladores. Presentamos el caso de dos especimenes esqueleticos de la epoca virreinal en las que este tipo de estudio permitio la identificacion de dos diferentes padecimientos oseos: uno de naturaleza maligna, el cancer, y otro benigno, la osteopoiquilosis o enfermedad de los huesos moteados.
Research Interests:
Research Interests: Geography and Colonialism
Human teeth from pre-Columbian and recent population groups have been analyzed by PIXE. Ancient teeth corresponding to children and adults were obtained from archaeological burials located in five geographic areas of Mexico.... more
Human teeth from pre-Columbian and recent population groups have been analyzed by PIXE. Ancient teeth corresponding to children and adults were obtained from archaeological burials located in five geographic areas of Mexico. Inter-specific and inter-site differences in the trace element contents of enamel were compared in order to get some insight into differences in diet, environmental conditions, teeth health, disease state and post mortem alteration among the co-occurring populations. For permanent teeth from adults, small variations in trace element levels were found depending on the collection site or tooth health, but for deciduous teeth from children, the concentration of elements such as Mn , Fe and Sr varied considerably. In this work, the possible sources of variation are discussed.
Research Interests:
The etiological basis of the abnormal coloration of archaeological teeth has been an unsolved question for a long time. Differences in the appearance of some archaeological teeth from Precolumbian adult and infant skeletons, detected by... more
The etiological basis of the abnormal coloration of archaeological teeth has been an unsolved question for a long time. Differences in the appearance of some archaeological teeth from Precolumbian adult and infant skeletons, detected by external optical inspection, led us to study this problem. A blue stain is visible in a few of the deciduous erupted teeth, and a brown color in various unerupted teeth in the collection, while brown spots appear on some permanent teeth. Several processes or factors that may occur during one's life, others around the time of death, and still others resulting from postmortem alterations have been reported as potential causes of abnormal tooth coloration.A sample of 35 colored teeth and two soil layers taken from Tlatelolco were analyzed by particle‐induced X‐ ray emission (PIXE) as well as selective dissolution techniques. Concentrations of total and extractable elements in enamel and soil layers (Cg1–Cg2) were obtained. This paper describes the o...
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Human sacrifice in Mesoamerican cities was diverse, highly ritualized, and remains incompletely characterized. Knowing who was selected for ritual violence is essential for interpreting specialized mortuary deposits and furthering... more
Human sacrifice in Mesoamerican cities was diverse, highly ritualized, and remains incompletely characterized. Knowing who was selected for ritual violence is essential for interpreting specialized mortuary deposits and furthering research on Mexica society. To understand the structure and variability of sacrificial and mortuary practices, we examine here three burial contexts from Tlatelolco, a densely populated city in the heart of the Triple Alliance. The interment contexts of Paso a Desnivel (n=45) and Grupo Norte (n=52) had been excavated from within the ceremonial center near the Tlatelolco Templo Mayor, and Atenantitech (n=40) from a bordering calpulli or neighborhood. To establish which contexts are likely sacrificial deposits, we compare the age-at-death distributions, biological sex, and perimortem ritual trauma across these sites. We seek to understand if social status determined sacrificial inclusion by using metabolic and infectious disease as proxies for resource inequ...
Research Interests:
Las experiencias de vida -determinadas por la sensibilidad, la plasticidad y la capacidad de reaccion del organismo- plasmadas en esqueletos, momias y fosiles permiten el conocimiento del ser humano a lo largo de su historia. Por medio... more
Las experiencias de vida -determinadas por la sensibilidad, la plasticidad y la capacidad de reaccion del organismo- plasmadas en esqueletos, momias y fosiles permiten el conocimiento del ser humano a lo largo de su historia. Por medio del analisis del tejido oseo y dental se puede lograr una mirada a los modos, las condiciones y la calidad de vida de nuestro antepasados.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy is one of the earliest recognized disease entities in the history of medicine. It has a peculiar periosteal proliferation distinctive from other bone diseases. In its advanced stage, it leaves an indelible... more
Hypertrophic osteoarthropathy is one of the earliest recognized disease entities in the history of medicine. It has a peculiar periosteal proliferation distinctive from other bone diseases. In its advanced stage, it leaves an indelible mark on the skeleton. It has been recently shown that digital clubbing is accompanied by a bone remodeling process of the underlying phalanges. Thus, theoretically, this entity can be recognized in ancient human skeletal remains. We studied part of the collection of skeletal remains from pre-Hispanic Mesoamerica preserved at the National Museum of Anthropology of Mexico City. We examined 1000 specimens and found 2 skeletons with widespread, bilateral, symmetric periosteal proliferation of the tubular bones in addition to the bone remodeling changes of the distal phalanges. One of the specimens was from the Formative period (2000 B.C. to 100 A.D.). We conclude that hypertrophic osteoarthropathy can be recognized in ancient human skeletal remains and that this disease was present in Mesoamerica near the time of the original description of clubbing by Hippocrates about 2500 years ago.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
Los estudios paleopatologicos de los restos esqueleticos humanos permiten identificar las enfermedades que padecieron los antiguos pobladores. Presentamos el caso de dos especimenes esqueleticos de la epoca virreinal en las que este tipo... more
Los estudios paleopatologicos de los restos esqueleticos humanos permiten identificar las enfermedades que padecieron los antiguos pobladores. Presentamos el caso de dos especimenes esqueleticos de la epoca virreinal en las que este tipo de estudio permitio la identificacion de dos diferentes padecimientos oseos: uno de naturaleza maligna, el cancer, y otro benigno, la osteopoiquilosis o enfermedad de los huesos moteados.
Research Interests:
In this text, we described a case of mycetoma (an osteophylic mycotic disease) found in the Tlatilco skeletal collection. The osseous lesions presented the characteristic features for the diagnosis of mycetoma. It had clinical... more
In this text, we described a case of mycetoma (an osteophylic mycotic disease) found in the Tlatilco skeletal collection. The osseous lesions presented the characteristic features for the diagnosis of mycetoma. It had clinical similarities with the actual prevalence features. The topic Tlatilco culture included ecosystem characteristics and daily activities proper for this culture, showing and comparing the uncertainty of this disease nowadays.
Research Interests:
En este trabajo se da a conocer un caso de micetoma encontrado en la coleccion esqueletica de Tlatilco; las lesiones oseas presentan las caracteristicas diagnosticas de este padecimiento y concuerdan con la edad y el sexo predominantes en... more
En este trabajo se da a conocer un caso de micetoma encontrado en la coleccion esqueletica de Tlatilco; las lesiones oseas presentan las caracteristicas diagnosticas de este padecimiento y concuerdan con la edad y el sexo predominantes en esta entidad. El contexto de la cultura de Tlatilco, desde su ecosistema hasta las diversas actividades realizadas por esta sociocultura, muestra el cuadro en que se haya incierto actualmente esta enfermedad