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Underneath the Surface: Examining "Hidden Lesions" With Paleoimaging at Moita do Sebastião, Mesolithic Muge, Portugal.

  • Published In: International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 2025, v. 35, n. 1. P. 1 1 of 3

  • Database: Academic Search Ultimate 2 of 3

  • Authored By: Coutinho Nogueira, Dany; Ramos Gaspar, Rosa; Carreiro, Inês; Godinho, Ricardo Miguel; Umbelino, Cláudia 3 of 3

Abstract

Discovered 160 years ago, the Muge archaeological sites in Portugal yield the most significant documentation of human skeletons from the Mesolithic period in Western Europe (8200–7100 cal B.P.). However, sediment weight has caused significant postmortem alterations that have limited previous studies. Paleoimaging techniques were applied to overcome these limitations and provide previously inaccessible information. Thirteen crania from Moita do Sebastião (one of the Muge shell middens) were CT scanned for virtual reconstruction and morphological analysis. Meticulous examination of 2D and 3D images revealed bone changes not visible to the naked eye and unrelated to postmortem alterations. A comprehensive differential diagnosis was carried out identifying various pathological conditions including epidermoid or dermoid cysts, intraosseous hemangioma, and a possible case of anemia. These "hidden pathologies" offer new insights into the health status of one of Europe's last hunter–gatherer populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Additional Information

  • Source:International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. 2025/01, Vol. 35, Issue 1, p1
  • Document Type:Article
  • Subject Area:Anthropology
  • Publication Date:2025
  • ISSN:1047-482X
  • DOI:10.1002/oa.3367
  • Accession Number:184494633
  • Copyright Statement:Copyright of International Journal of Osteoarchaeology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

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