This album of colorful photographs by Fanis Manousakis and comprehensive texts by Chryssa Bourbou... more This album of colorful photographs by Fanis Manousakis and comprehensive texts by Chryssa Bourbou and Ioannis Fantakis take us on a journey through the magnificent world of 13th-15th c. AD churches in the Municipality of Kandanos-Selinos (Crete, Greece).
"Daily life and living conditions in the Byzantine world are relatively underexplored subjects, o... more "Daily life and living conditions in the Byzantine world are relatively underexplored subjects, often neglected in comparison with more visible aspects of Byzantine culture, such as works of art. The book is among the few publications on Greek Byzantine populations and helps pioneer a new approach to the subject, opening a window on health status and dietary patterns through the lens of bioarchaeological research. Drawing on a diversity of disciplines (biology, chemistry, archaeology and history), the author focuses
on the complex interaction between physiology, culture and the environment in Byzantine populations from Crete in the 7th to 12th centuries.
The systematic analysis and interpretation of the mortality profiles, the observed pathological conditions, and of the chemical data, all set in the cultural context of the era, brings new evidence to bear on the reconstruction of living conditions in Byzantine Crete. Individual chapters look at the demographic profiles and mortality patterns of adult and non-adult populations, and study dietary habits and breastfeeding and weaning patterns. In addition, this book provides an indispensable body of primary data for future research in these
fields, and so furthers an interdisciplinary approach in tracing the health of the past populations."
Archaeologists in Greece are currently incorporating more skeletal studies into their research de... more Archaeologists in Greece are currently incorporating more skeletal studies into their research designs by testing hypotheses and drawing inferences about diet and nutrition, health and disease, demography and physical behavior, as well as lifestyle in the past. Current skeletal analyses in the
country do not focus only on prehistoric populations; during the last few years, human skeletal material from highly ignored time periods (i.e., the Byzantine and the post-Byzantine) has also contributed to the reconstruction of health patterns in the past.In this study, we present the results of the analysis of human remains from the proto-Byzantine site (6th–7th centuries a.d.) of Sourtara Galaniou Kozanis in northern Greece. Additionally, we intend this research to provide information on specific pathological conditions that are suggestive of stress—either environmentally or culturally induced—during a turbulent
era of Greek history, and the impact of these factors on specific age groups, such as subadults. These results are expected to contribute to our relatively restricted knowledge of that era in northern Greece, and, when compared with analyses of other contemporaneous populations, help us to reconstruct
the patterns of life and disease in the country.
This album of colorful photographs by Fanis Manousakis and comprehensive texts by Chryssa Bourbou... more This album of colorful photographs by Fanis Manousakis and comprehensive texts by Chryssa Bourbou and Ioannis Fantakis take us on a journey through the magnificent world of 13th-15th c. AD churches in the Municipality of Kandanos-Selinos (Crete, Greece).
"Daily life and living conditions in the Byzantine world are relatively underexplored subjects, o... more "Daily life and living conditions in the Byzantine world are relatively underexplored subjects, often neglected in comparison with more visible aspects of Byzantine culture, such as works of art. The book is among the few publications on Greek Byzantine populations and helps pioneer a new approach to the subject, opening a window on health status and dietary patterns through the lens of bioarchaeological research. Drawing on a diversity of disciplines (biology, chemistry, archaeology and history), the author focuses
on the complex interaction between physiology, culture and the environment in Byzantine populations from Crete in the 7th to 12th centuries.
The systematic analysis and interpretation of the mortality profiles, the observed pathological conditions, and of the chemical data, all set in the cultural context of the era, brings new evidence to bear on the reconstruction of living conditions in Byzantine Crete. Individual chapters look at the demographic profiles and mortality patterns of adult and non-adult populations, and study dietary habits and breastfeeding and weaning patterns. In addition, this book provides an indispensable body of primary data for future research in these
fields, and so furthers an interdisciplinary approach in tracing the health of the past populations."
Archaeologists in Greece are currently incorporating more skeletal studies into their research de... more Archaeologists in Greece are currently incorporating more skeletal studies into their research designs by testing hypotheses and drawing inferences about diet and nutrition, health and disease, demography and physical behavior, as well as lifestyle in the past. Current skeletal analyses in the
country do not focus only on prehistoric populations; during the last few years, human skeletal material from highly ignored time periods (i.e., the Byzantine and the post-Byzantine) has also contributed to the reconstruction of health patterns in the past.In this study, we present the results of the analysis of human remains from the proto-Byzantine site (6th–7th centuries a.d.) of Sourtara Galaniou Kozanis in northern Greece. Additionally, we intend this research to provide information on specific pathological conditions that are suggestive of stress—either environmentally or culturally induced—during a turbulent
era of Greek history, and the impact of these factors on specific age groups, such as subadults. These results are expected to contribute to our relatively restricted knowledge of that era in northern Greece, and, when compared with analyses of other contemporaneous populations, help us to reconstruct
the patterns of life and disease in the country.
The record of traumatic incidents imprinted upon a skeleton may contain a wealth of information a... more The record of traumatic incidents imprinted upon a skeleton may contain a wealth of information about a lifetime of encounters with the environment and fellow humans. Because they are probably the most easily diagnosed and among the most common types of skeletal trauma, fractures have traditionally
garnered the most interest from paleopathological investigators.
Although case studies usually predominate in the paleopathological literature, systematic work on fracture prevalence was applied as early as 1910. During the last decades, a number of papers stimulated wider interest in
population studies of fractures. This report describes patterns of fractures recorded in an urban population from central Crete. The investigation assesses cranial and postcranial fractures recorded in these remains, dating to the Middle Byzantine period (11th century a.d.) in order to (1) present the raw data, frequencies, and general description of the fractures observed among the population; (2) assess the prevalence of fractures for male and
female individuals; (3) investigate any evidence of complications during the healing process or possible treatment; and (4) compare the distribution of fractures between the urban site in question and two rural sites in western
Crete, Pemonia and Stylos, that date to the same period.
Breastfeeding and weaning patterns in past societies are of considerable interest, not only in th... more Breastfeeding and weaning patterns in past societies are of considerable interest, not only in their own right but also for their implications for issues such as juvenile health and attitudes toward women and children. Traditionally, these patterns have been reconstructed using documentary evidence. However, reconstruction through the stable isotope analysis of human remains provides an alternative source of information. Together, documentary and isotopic evidence can provide a detailed portrait of breastfeeding and weaning in the past. This paper presents a small set of isotopic data on weaning in Byzantine Greece, as well as a summary of the relevant documentary evidence. The available data do not yet allow firm conclusions on Byzantine weaning to be drawn. However, they are consistent with weaning patterns seen in some imperial and late Roman communities, perhaps indicating significant continuity
in weaning customs in the Byzantine era.
Palaeopathologists who wish to study health profiles of past populations, changes in mortality an... more Palaeopathologists who wish to study health profiles of past populations, changes in mortality and fertility profiles, and diachronic change in disease prevalence need to adopt a populationbased approach. Such an approach entails addressing a set of theoretical and methodological issues, many of which are shared by palaeodemographic research. This chapter examines these issues in the context of population-based palaeopathological research. It addresses problems with age estimation methods and biases in the representativeness of archaeological samples. These latter include bone survival and recovery, burial practices, excavation strategy, and other aspects that may affect preservation and completeness of a collection and have direct consequences for palaeopathological diagnosis and the interpretation of disease prevalence (palaeoepidemiology) in past populations. Next, the chapter discusses the issue of morbidity and the ‘osteological paradox’ and its relevance to a population-based approach in palaeopathology. The last section addresses the application of palaeodemographic ageing methods that are of use for palaeopathological studies, followed by the introduction of an epidemiological method of age correction to the analysis of prevalence of pathological conditions in archaeological populations.
The study of infant feeding practices in archaeological populations can aid in the understanding ... more The study of infant feeding practices in archaeological populations can aid in the understanding of cultural attitudes towards dietary choices and how specific circumstances experienced by mothers and their offspring influence childhood health and survivorship. Breastfeeding and weaning patterns have received increased interest in Roman bioarchaeology, especially through the application of stable isotopic investigation of nitrogen (δ15N) and carbon (δ13C) values. This study presents the stable isotopic results of the first Roman bone sample analysed from Switzerland (30 nonadults and nine females), allowing us an unprecedented insight into health and diet at the site of Aventicum/Avenches, the capital city of the territory of Helvetii in Roman times (first–third century AD). The fact that the majority of the nonadult samples subject to stable isotope analysis were perinates highlights the complex relationship between their δ15N and δ13C values and those of adult females, as different factors, including variation of fetal and maternal stable isotope values, the possible effects of intrauterine growth, and maternal/fetal disease and/or nutritional stress (e.g., nutritional deficiencies such as scurvy, parasitic infections, such as malaria), could have influenced the observed elevated δ15N values.
The aims of this study are twofold: first, to consider Vitamin D deficiency during two
periods of... more The aims of this study are twofold: first, to consider Vitamin D deficiency during two periods of growth and, second, consider Vitamin D deficiency with respect to evidence for migration and mobility in a skeletal assemblage (n = 169) from Aventicum, Roman Switzerland (first to third century CE). Vitamin D deficiency was evaluated macroscopically, and individuals with evidence of Vitamin D deficiency (n = 3) were assessed histologically for interglobular dentine. Dentine was examined from teeth that span from 6 months to 18 years of age. Enamel from an incisor and third molar of possibly deficient individuals were also explored for evidence of migration using oxygen isotope analysis. The only skeletal evidence for Vitamin D deficiency occurred in three adult individuals (two males and one female, all aged 25–35). All three individuals showed skeletal and histological evidence of early childhood deficiency. Further, two individuals presented histological evidence of deficiency associated with pubertal growth. Isotopic values in the incisors of all three individuals were in keeping with geographic origins in Central and Eastern Europe; however, the two with evidence for pubertal deficiency had higher δ18O values (by 1.3‰) in their third molars, whereas the individual with no evidence of pubertal rickets did not. The overall lack of Vitamin D deficiency at Aventicum is rare when compared with other urban Roman sites. For the three individuals with evidence of deficiency, one suggestion is that they may have moved from elsewhere. The mobility of the two individuals with pubertal rickets suggests that risks for repeat deficiency were affected by their location. As this is the first study to consider osteological and histological evidence for Vitamin D deficiency in conjunction with isotopic evidence of mobility, further studies of mobility and health across the Empire are required.
The study of Roman childhood has been the focus of research primarily using documentary and archa... more The study of Roman childhood has been the focus of research primarily using documentary and archaeological evidence, while relatively few non-adult skeletal assemblages have been analyzed. This paper presents the study of 93 non-adult individuals from four cemeteries in the Roman (1st–3rd c. CE) civitas capital of Aventicum (Avenches), Switzerland. The results of the analysis offer a new bioarchaeological perspective on mortality and disease patterns during childhood in Roman Switzerland, adding to the discussion regarding living conditions in the urban centers at the periphery of the Roman Empire. This study also highlights the importance of studying perinates in archaeological populations, since the current research inform us about the experiences of mothers and their offspring in Aventicum. The mortality and disease patterns of the perinates, representing 71% of the total non-adult sample (66/93), suggest that pregnancy and the time around birth were extremely challenging at Aventicum. It is argued that environmental constraints, e.g. the risk of infectious diseases such as malaria and natural phenomena such as recurring floods resulting in resources scarcity, could have considerably affected the mother-fetus pair in this urban settlement.
Archaeological evidence of scurvy in Greece has previously included only a few cases. Recently, d... more Archaeological evidence of scurvy in Greece has previously included only a few cases. Recently, during the study of a Middle Byzantine (11th–12th centuries A.D.) Greek population from Crete, Greece, four non-adult skeletons were found to exhibit abnormal porosity and reactive new bone formation, mainly on the cranial and post-cranial bones, which vary in extent and severity. These lesions are similar to those reported in previous studies of juvenile scurvy, suggesting that most likely the individuals suffered from this condition at the time of death. Further, a biocultural approach is applied here in order to contextualize these findings, as well as to explore the reasons for the sporadic appearance of the disease. It is proposed that these cases are indicative of undernutrition and that the development of scurvy in this Middle Byzantine Greek population might be associated with weaning and the type/quality of solid foods introduced after cessation of breastfeeding. The reported cases are important because archaeological evidence of scurvy in this geographical area is relatively rare, and they contribute to the broader global understandings of the cultural variables that mediate the expression of skeletal manifestations of juvenile scurvy.
Nursing mothers and feeding bottles: reconstructing breastfeeding and weaning patterns in Greek B... more Nursing mothers and feeding bottles: reconstructing breastfeeding and weaning patterns in Greek Byzantine populations (6th–15th centuries AD) using carbon and nitrogen stable isotope ratios
Traditionally, documentary evidence (mainly medical works and the vitae and miracles of saints) served as the primary source of information for perinatal nutrition in the Byzantine era. In the last decade, however, stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratio analysis has also been applied for the reconstruction of Byzantine breastfeeding and weaning practices. This paper reviews the documentary evidence for Byzantine weaning and compares it to isotopic data for eight Greek Byzantine skeletal samples from the sites of Eleutherna, Kastella, Messene, Sourtara, Stylos, Nemea, Petras and Servia (6th–15th centuries AD). The documentary evidence suggests that Byzantine children were weaned at a relatively late age. The age patterning of the stable isotope data is not as clear as normally seen at single sites. However, the presence of a higher proportion of elevated values in juveniles aged three years or less suggests that weaning was completed by the fourth year—a pattern consistent with the written sources. The data available from this study allow us to make some tentative suggestions about cultural and temporal differences in weaning, and to recommend directions for further research. A comparison of the Byzantine data presented here to data published for Roman-era sites from the Mediterranean and Western Europe suggests that the Byzantines maintained a Roman-era practice of relatively late weaning. In contrast, medieval data for Western Europe and the few measurements made on post-Byzantine Greek material suggest more variation, with some groups weaning late and others weaning earlier, by two years of age.
Documentary evidence and artistic representations have traditionally served as the primary source... more Documentary evidence and artistic representations have traditionally served as the primary sources of information about Byzantine diet. According to these sources Byzantine diet was based on grain (primarily wheat and barley), oil, and wine, supplemented with legumes, dairy products, meat, and marine resources. Here we synthesize and compare the results of stable isotope ratio analyses of eight Greek Byzantine populations (6th–15th centuries AD) from throughout Greece. The δ13C and δ15N values are tightly clustered, suggesting that all of these populations likely consumed a broadly similar diet. Both inland and coastal Byzantine populations consumed an essentially land-based C3 diet, significant amounts of animal protein, and possibly some C4 plants, while no evidence of a general dependence on low-δ15N legumes was observed.
One interesting result observed in the isotopic data is the evidence for the consumption of marine protein at both coastal sites (a reasonable expectation given their location) and for some individuals from inland sites. This pattern contrasts with previous isotopic studies mainly on prehistoric Greek populations, which have suggested that marine species contributed little, or not at all, to the diet. The possibility that fasting practices contributed to marine protein consumption in the period is discussed, as are possible parallels with published isotope data from western European medieval sites.
The excavation of the early Byzantine cemetery at Sourtara Galaniou Kozanis suggests the existenc... more The excavation of the early Byzantine cemetery at Sourtara Galaniou Kozanis suggests the existence of a hitherto unknown early Byzantine settlement in a strategic position along the road connecting the upper and lower parts of Greek Macedonia, in an area generally unexplored for its Byzantine occupation. In this study I present the results of the analysis of forty-four individuals retrieved from Sourtara. The primary focus of this research is to provide information on specific pathological conditions that suggest evidence of physiological disruption (stress) during a
turbulent era of Greek history, and the impact of these constraints on specific age groups, such as non-adults.
(see also Bourbou 2009, OWLS volume)
Are we what we eat? Reconstructing dietary patterns of Greek Byzantine Populations (7th-13th cent... more Are we what we eat? Reconstructing dietary patterns of Greek Byzantine Populations (7th-13th centuries AD) through a multi-disciplinary approach
In the last decade, an increasing number of research projects include the bioarchaeological analysis of Greek Byzantine populations. The present study will present an overview of the Byzantine diet through a multi-disciplinary approach, using data derived from documentary evidence, palaeopathological analysis (e.g., dental diseases), and chemical analysis (stable isotope analysis of δ13C and δ15N values). In dealing with historic populations the analyst enjoys a great advantage: the existence of documentary evidence against which the biological data can be projected and compared. Documentary sources on diet in Byzantine Greece portray a diet based on grain, olive oil and wine, supplemented with legumes, dairy products, meat and marine resources, fruits and vegetables. Evidence of dental diseases, yield valuable clues for diet (type of food consumed), nutrition (adequacy of food in regard to physiological needs), and subsistence (how that food was obtained and/or produced). For example, dental calculus usually develops in an alkaline environment of the mouth, which is indicative of a more protein-rich diet. Stable isotope analysis, on the other hand, is an established and powerful method for the reconstruction of dietary behaviour in past populations, and has the potential to clarify some of the uncertainties surrounding diet in the Byzantine era, regarding e.g., the importance of marine sources and C4 grains, such as millet, to the diet. Currently, stable isotope analysis has been applied to material from various sites throughout Greece, providing valuable information on the Byzantine diet.
In the last decades, analysis of human skeletal remains from Greece includes material from previo... more In the last decades, analysis of human skeletal remains from Greece includes material from previously under-examined time periods, like the Byzantine and post-Byzantine. Although such studies have contributed considerably to our knowledge of the biological profile of these populations, few analyses have dealt with the reconstruction of their diet. Traditionally, dietary patterns have been reconstructed using documentary evidence and/or artistic representations. However, stable isotope analysis of archaeological skeletal remains is an established and powerful method for the reconstruction of dietary behaviour in past populations (e.g., human reliance on marine versus terrestrial foods, or reliance on animal versus vegetable protein). In this paper we will discuss the importance of animal and dairy products in the Byzantine diet, as evidenced by the available-to-date stable isotope analysis.
During restoration works at the Church of Zoodochos Pigi (Alikianos, Chania), a rescue excavation... more During restoration works at the Church of Zoodochos Pigi (Alikianos, Chania), a rescue excavation at the interior and circumferential to the Church was carried out. The excavation brought to light an extended cemetery, as 21 and 56 graves were revealed at the interior and exterior of the Church respectively. This paper is a preliminary report on the findings (architecture of graves, accompanying goods and observations on the human skeletal remains). Cist, pit, and tiled graves included one or more inhumations of adult and non-adult individuals. Possible one of these graves was used as an ossuary, as evidenced by the abundance of commingled human remains recovered. Accompanying goods include mainly jewels, items of clothing, coins and only one ceramic vessel, suggesting a preliminary dating of the cemetery to the end of the 11th-12th centuries AD. Coins found in some graves suggest a later date, during the Venetian and Turkish occupation.
Infants buried in pots accompanied by burials of dogs have been uncovered inside the precinct of ... more Infants buried in pots accompanied by burials of dogs have been uncovered inside the precinct of a Hellenistic funerary monument (K3) in the Gymnasium area at Messene. Also, a well deposit of the 3rd-2nd century BC was brought to light in the agora of the city. It contained the commingled skeletal remains of 264 non-adult individuals (studied by Dr. Chryssa Bourbou, bioarchaeologist) and bones of several dogs, as well as fragments of pots and pointed amphorae. It is suggested that the non-adults found in the well were initially buried in pots and amphorae at a specific burial ground and re-deposited into the well. The well probably continued to receive dead infants as a known place of disposal of infants who died at birth. In the search of evidence for the disposal of fetuses, neonates or infants with dogs in Greek antiquity, the closest parallels are the wells discovered in the Athenian Agora (G 5:3) and at Eretria. Infants dying before the age of three were rather considered unsuitable for burial in consecrated ground.
Dogs were essential to the comfort and dignity of the dead, escorting them on their trip to the Underworld, or as guards of Hades and symbols of death. It was thought that dogs could heal the sick by sucking or licking the infected area, curing blindness and other diseases. Dogs are also reported as sacrificial animals for easing childbirth, or in funeral/ritual contexts.
Mass burials in Greece are a quite frequent phenomenon, but only a few are known from Crete. Duri... more Mass burials in Greece are a quite frequent phenomenon, but only a few are known from Crete. During the 1997 salvage excavation in the city of Chania (Tzanakaki str.), a mass burial came to light, situated at the core of the cemetery of Ancient Kydonia (nowdays Chania); it seems that the specific area was initially used for the mass burial and later for regular burials. The individuals were carefully and tightly placed in rows, following a pattern of differential orientation, in order to save as much space as possible. The few accompanying grave goods dated the burial to the late Classical-early Hellenistic era. The anthropological analysis of close to 40 individuals, showed that they were primarily males, aged between 25-35 years. A bioarchaeological approach is applied in order to investigate the possible cause of death that led to the burial of these individuals.
Infectious conditions of greater or lesser degree are a very common finding in skeletons from arc... more Infectious conditions of greater or lesser degree are a very common finding in skeletons from archaeological sites, and the factors affecting their prevalence in populations are multiple and varied. The paleopathological analysis of close to 400 human skeletons dating from the Proto-Byzantine (6th-7th centuries AD) to the Middle-Byzantine (11th century AD) eras from Greece revealed a number of infectious conditions. This paper includes a thorough discussion on the bioarchaeological context of the observed pathologies, as well as on several issues involved in the diagnosis and interpretation of infectious conditions.
A large number of human skeletons have been and are excavated from a wide range of chronological ... more A large number of human skeletons have been and are excavated from a wide range of chronological and cultural contexts throughout Greece. The study of human skeletal remains facilitates the interpretation of lifetime events such as disease, stress, physical activity, diet, trauma and the demographic history of ancient communities. Bioarchaeology in particular is an emerging discipline that emphasizes the human biological component of the archaeological record, but its enormous potential for understanding the past has only recently been appreciated. However, since the pioneering work of J Lawrence Angel, the study of human skeletal remains has been rapidly promoted in Greece. Although, only a little fragmentary information is known from bioarchaeological studies to date about the human past of the country, the study of human skeletal material is now becoming a widely appreciated aspect of archaeological analysis, also demonstrating a shift from individual cases at a regional and temporal level to cemetery populations.
Stefanakis,Manolis I., Kalogeropoulos, K., Georgopoulos, A. and Bourbou, Ch.
in .C. Haggis and ... more Stefanakis,Manolis I., Kalogeropoulos, K., Georgopoulos, A. and Bourbou, Ch.
in .C. Haggis and C.M. Antonaccio (eds.), Classical Archaeology in Context. Theory and Practice in Excavation in the Greek World, Walter de Gruyter, 2015, 259-314
Un nouveau projet de recherche interdisciplinaire soutenu par le Fonds national suisse (SNFS CoRe... more Un nouveau projet de recherche interdisciplinaire soutenu par le Fonds national suisse (SNFS CoRe 2016-2019)) visera à fournir une étude sur les habitudes alimentaires des nourrissons en Gaule romaine. Intitulé « To be a child in Roman Aventicum/Avenches (1st–3rd c. AD) : Evidence on health, disease and feeding practices from bioarchaeology and stable isotope analysis », ce projet se concentrera sur les enfants des cimetières du site romain d’Aventicum (Avenches), afin de reconstituer les profils de mortalité infantile et de les confronter aux données obtenues par les isotopes stables de leurs ossements.
Exhibition catalogue/Livret d'accompagnement de l'exposition temporaire, Site et Musée romain d'Avenches, 2020
Auteurs: Chryssa Bourbou avec la collaboration de Daniel Castella
Rédaction et adaptation du text... more Auteurs: Chryssa Bourbou avec la collaboration de Daniel Castella Rédaction et adaptation du texte en français: Sophie Delbarre-Bärtschi Expertise Scientifique: Daniel Castella, Véronique Dasen, Denis Genequand, Genèvieve Perréard Lopreno Photographies: Andreas Schneider Conservation-restauration: Line Pendersen Traduction allemande: Silvia Hirsch Graphisme et présence: wapico Impression: Läderach AG, Berne ISBN: 978-2-9701023-8-9-0
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Books by Chryssa Bourbou
on the complex interaction between physiology, culture and the environment in Byzantine populations from Crete in the 7th to 12th centuries.
The systematic analysis and interpretation of the mortality profiles, the observed pathological conditions, and of the chemical data, all set in the cultural context of the era, brings new evidence to bear on the reconstruction of living conditions in Byzantine Crete. Individual chapters look at the demographic profiles and mortality patterns of adult and non-adult populations, and study dietary habits and breastfeeding and weaning patterns. In addition, this book provides an indispensable body of primary data for future research in these
fields, and so furthers an interdisciplinary approach in tracing the health of the past populations."
Edited volumes by Chryssa Bourbou
Chapters in edited volumes by Chryssa Bourbou
country do not focus only on prehistoric populations; during the last few years, human skeletal material from highly ignored time periods (i.e., the Byzantine and the post-Byzantine) has also contributed to the reconstruction of health patterns in the past.In this study, we present the results of the analysis of human remains from the proto-Byzantine site (6th–7th centuries a.d.) of Sourtara Galaniou Kozanis in northern Greece. Additionally, we intend this research to provide information on specific pathological conditions that are suggestive of stress—either environmentally or culturally induced—during a turbulent
era of Greek history, and the impact of these factors on specific age groups, such as subadults. These results are expected to contribute to our relatively restricted knowledge of that era in northern Greece, and, when compared with analyses of other contemporaneous populations, help us to reconstruct
the patterns of life and disease in the country.
on the complex interaction between physiology, culture and the environment in Byzantine populations from Crete in the 7th to 12th centuries.
The systematic analysis and interpretation of the mortality profiles, the observed pathological conditions, and of the chemical data, all set in the cultural context of the era, brings new evidence to bear on the reconstruction of living conditions in Byzantine Crete. Individual chapters look at the demographic profiles and mortality patterns of adult and non-adult populations, and study dietary habits and breastfeeding and weaning patterns. In addition, this book provides an indispensable body of primary data for future research in these
fields, and so furthers an interdisciplinary approach in tracing the health of the past populations."
country do not focus only on prehistoric populations; during the last few years, human skeletal material from highly ignored time periods (i.e., the Byzantine and the post-Byzantine) has also contributed to the reconstruction of health patterns in the past.In this study, we present the results of the analysis of human remains from the proto-Byzantine site (6th–7th centuries a.d.) of Sourtara Galaniou Kozanis in northern Greece. Additionally, we intend this research to provide information on specific pathological conditions that are suggestive of stress—either environmentally or culturally induced—during a turbulent
era of Greek history, and the impact of these factors on specific age groups, such as subadults. These results are expected to contribute to our relatively restricted knowledge of that era in northern Greece, and, when compared with analyses of other contemporaneous populations, help us to reconstruct
the patterns of life and disease in the country.
garnered the most interest from paleopathological investigators.
Although case studies usually predominate in the paleopathological literature, systematic work on fracture prevalence was applied as early as 1910. During the last decades, a number of papers stimulated wider interest in
population studies of fractures. This report describes patterns of fractures recorded in an urban population from central Crete. The investigation assesses cranial and postcranial fractures recorded in these remains, dating to the Middle Byzantine period (11th century a.d.) in order to (1) present the raw data, frequencies, and general description of the fractures observed among the population; (2) assess the prevalence of fractures for male and
female individuals; (3) investigate any evidence of complications during the healing process or possible treatment; and (4) compare the distribution of fractures between the urban site in question and two rural sites in western
Crete, Pemonia and Stylos, that date to the same period.
in weaning customs in the Byzantine era.
in Roman times (first–third century AD). The fact that the majority of the nonadult samples subject to stable isotope analysis were perinates highlights the complex relationship between their δ15N and δ13C values and those of adult females, as different factors, including variation of fetal and maternal stable isotope values, the possible effects of intrauterine growth, and maternal/fetal disease and/or nutritional stress
(e.g., nutritional deficiencies such as scurvy, parasitic infections, such as malaria), could have influenced the observed elevated δ15N values.
periods of growth and, second, consider Vitamin D deficiency with respect to evidence
for migration and mobility in a skeletal assemblage (n = 169) from Aventicum,
Roman Switzerland (first to third century CE). Vitamin D deficiency was evaluated
macroscopically, and individuals with evidence of Vitamin D deficiency (n = 3) were
assessed histologically for interglobular dentine. Dentine was examined from teeth
that span from 6 months to 18 years of age. Enamel from an incisor and third molar
of possibly deficient individuals were also explored for evidence of migration using
oxygen isotope analysis. The only skeletal evidence for Vitamin D deficiency occurred
in three adult individuals (two males and one female, all aged 25–35). All three
individuals showed skeletal and histological evidence of early childhood deficiency.
Further, two individuals presented histological evidence of deficiency associated with
pubertal growth. Isotopic values in the incisors of all three individuals were in keeping
with geographic origins in Central and Eastern Europe; however, the two with
evidence for pubertal deficiency had higher δ18O values (by 1.3‰) in their third
molars, whereas the individual with no evidence of pubertal rickets did not. The overall
lack of Vitamin D deficiency at Aventicum is rare when compared with other urban
Roman sites. For the three individuals with evidence of deficiency, one suggestion is
that they may have moved from elsewhere. The mobility of the two individuals with
pubertal rickets suggests that risks for repeat deficiency were affected by their
location. As this is the first study to consider osteological and histological evidence
for Vitamin D deficiency in conjunction with isotopic evidence of mobility, further
studies of mobility and health across the Empire are required.
Traditionally, documentary evidence (mainly medical works and the vitae and miracles of saints) served as the primary source of information for perinatal nutrition in the Byzantine era. In the last decade, however, stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratio analysis has also been applied for the reconstruction of Byzantine breastfeeding and weaning practices. This paper reviews the documentary evidence for Byzantine weaning and compares it to isotopic data for eight Greek Byzantine skeletal samples from the sites of Eleutherna, Kastella, Messene, Sourtara, Stylos, Nemea, Petras and Servia (6th–15th centuries AD). The documentary evidence suggests that Byzantine children were weaned at a relatively late age. The age patterning of the stable isotope data is not as clear as normally seen at single sites. However, the presence of a higher proportion of elevated values in juveniles aged three years or less suggests that weaning was completed by the fourth year—a pattern consistent with the written sources. The data available from this study allow us to make some tentative suggestions about cultural and temporal differences in weaning, and to recommend directions for further research. A comparison of the Byzantine data presented here to data published for Roman-era sites from the Mediterranean and Western Europe suggests that the Byzantines maintained a Roman-era practice of relatively late weaning. In contrast, medieval data for Western Europe and the few measurements made on post-Byzantine Greek material suggest more variation, with some groups weaning late and others weaning earlier, by two years of age.
One interesting result observed in the isotopic data is the evidence for the consumption of marine protein at both coastal sites (a reasonable expectation given their location) and for some individuals from inland sites. This pattern contrasts with previous isotopic studies mainly on prehistoric Greek populations, which have suggested that marine species contributed little, or not at all, to the diet. The possibility that fasting practices contributed to marine protein consumption in the period is discussed, as are possible parallels with published isotope data from western European medieval sites.
see a review of the paper at: http://mediterraneanworld.wordpress.com/2011/10/10/other-byzantine-bodies/
turbulent era of Greek history, and the impact of these constraints on specific age groups, such as non-adults.
(see also Bourbou 2009, OWLS volume)
In the last decade, an increasing number of research projects include the bioarchaeological analysis of Greek Byzantine populations. The present study will present an overview of the Byzantine diet through a multi-disciplinary approach, using data derived from documentary evidence, palaeopathological analysis (e.g., dental diseases), and chemical analysis (stable isotope analysis of δ13C and δ15N values). In dealing with historic populations the analyst enjoys a great advantage: the existence of documentary evidence against which the biological data can be projected and compared. Documentary sources on diet in Byzantine Greece portray a diet based on grain, olive oil and wine, supplemented with legumes, dairy products, meat and marine resources, fruits and vegetables. Evidence of dental diseases, yield valuable clues for diet (type of food consumed), nutrition (adequacy of food in regard to physiological needs), and subsistence (how that food was obtained and/or produced). For example, dental calculus usually develops in an alkaline environment of the mouth, which is indicative of a more protein-rich diet. Stable isotope analysis, on the other hand, is an established and powerful method for the reconstruction of dietary behaviour in past populations, and has the potential to clarify some of the uncertainties surrounding diet in the Byzantine era, regarding e.g., the importance of marine sources and C4 grains, such as millet, to the diet. Currently, stable isotope analysis has been applied to material from various sites throughout Greece, providing valuable information on the Byzantine diet.
Dogs were essential to the comfort and dignity of the dead, escorting them on their trip to the Underworld, or as guards of Hades and symbols of death. It was thought that dogs could heal the sick by sucking or licking the infected area, curing blindness and other diseases. Dogs are also reported as sacrificial animals for easing childbirth, or in funeral/ritual contexts.
in .C. Haggis and C.M. Antonaccio (eds.), Classical Archaeology in Context. Theory and Practice in Excavation in the Greek World, Walter de Gruyter, 2015, 259-314
Rédaction et adaptation du texte en français: Sophie Delbarre-Bärtschi
Expertise Scientifique: Daniel Castella, Véronique Dasen, Denis Genequand, Genèvieve Perréard Lopreno
Photographies: Andreas Schneider
Conservation-restauration: Line Pendersen
Traduction allemande: Silvia Hirsch
Graphisme et présence: wapico
Impression: Läderach AG, Berne
ISBN: 978-2-9701023-8-9-0