Sura Gamla Kyrka : analys av patologiska och skeletala förändringar hos sju individer

Sammanfattning: Seven individuals from Surahammar in Västmanland Sweden are analyzed for the appearance of pathological and skeletal changes. The graves, all from within the walls of a fourteenth century church, are dated from the Viking age to late eighteenth century. The aim of this scientific essay is to find pathological conditions by doing an osteological analyze, x-ray analysis, an osteoporosis measurement and letting orthopedists assess the individuals. The aim is also to say something about the individuals’ general health and how they experience the changes they have in the skeleton. The various types of methods of analysis could confirm and add information to the osteological analysis and in some cases they had different diagnosis. All of the individuals had pathological changes in their upper and/or lower jaw with caries, calculus or apical periodontitis. Among several pathological and skeletal changes three individuals were diagnosed with osteoarthritis in their cervical vertebrae and one in the hip, one had enamel hypoplasia. One individual had both old and new fractures and two individuals had some bone density loss. But despite this their general health was very likely not bad and most of them could live a good life.Caroline Groth, Department of archaeology and osteology, Gotland University, 2010.Sura Gamla Kyrka – Analysis of pathological and skeletal changes in seven individuals.Seven individuals from Surahammar in Västmanland Sweden are analyzed for the appearance of pathological and skeletal changes. The graves, all from within the walls of a fourteenth century church, are dated from the Viking age to late eighteenth century. The aim of this scientific essay is to find pathological conditions by doing an osteological analyze, x-ray analysis, an osteoporosis measurement and letting orthopedists assess the individuals. The aim is also to say something about the individuals’ general health and how they experience the changes they have in the skeleton. The various types of methods of analysis could confirm and add information to the osteological analysis and in some cases they had different diagnosis. All of the individuals had pathological changes in their upper and/or lower jaw with caries, calculus or apical periodontitis. Among several pathological and skeletal changes three individuals were diagnosed with osteoarthritis in their cervical vertebrae and one in the hip, one had enamel hypoplasia. One individual had both old and new fractures and two individuals had some bone density loss. But despite this their general health was very likely not bad and most of them could live a good life.