ABSTRACT
Paleopathology is the study of disease, a deviation of the normal functions of the body systems. Malfunction of systems is commonly due to stress, such as metabolic, nutritional, or occupational issues. These can manifest as a number of pathologies, including increased morbidity, interruptions in growth, skeletal damage, and ultimately mortality. Metabolic or nutritional stress can be reflected in a variety of pathologies, including lesions, interruptions in bone growth, and interruptions in the growth of teeth. Dietary data can be used to determine nutritional stress. Occupational stress can cause alterations in bone and changes in muscle attachments. Continued activity, perhaps coupled with age and morbidity, will result in osteoarthritis, bone-on-bone wear (eburnation), and the development of bone formation (lipping and spurs) in and around joints.
