Discovered the skeleton of one of the earliest victims of tuberculosis

The skeleton of a man was discovered in a grave in a place that is now becoming a British university campus. It is probably the skeleton of one of the first victims of tuberculosis in the UK.

Dating by radioactive carbon shows that the victim died in the 4th century, about 302 AD when the Romans ruled the land. The victim is buried in a shallow pit, placed on the right side in a posture of bending.

The victim is aged between 26 and 35, suffering from iron deficiency anemia from a young age, about 5 feet high, 4 inches wide - much smaller than the average of Roman men.

The first case of tuberculosis was discovered in the United Kingdom during the Iron Age (300 BC), but the cases of infection during the Roman occupation were quite rare, mainly appearing in the southern territory. England. Tuberculosis is the most powerful disease since the 12th century AD in England when people are living in an urban environment. Therefore the skeleton can provide important evidence of the origin and development of the disease in the UK.

Burial place

The remnants were discovered during an archaeological excavation earlier this year in the York University extension area in Heslington East. Archaeologists have excavated the skeleton near the ruins of a Roman-era house, close to an ancient road of the Roman Empire between York and Barton-on-Humber.

The skeleton dates from the year 302 AD found in England.Archaeologists believe that the skeleton has traces of tuberculosis and is also one of the oldest evidence.(Photo: Sarah Mitchell / York University)

The burial site is located on the school campus. But York University intends to develop a plan for community archeology and education when the research phase is completed.

York University authorized Malin Holst of York Osteoarchaeology to conduct a detailed analysis of the skeleton. Analysis shows that the cause of death is probably due to tuberculosis. Analysis reports have been published this week.

In the report, Holst wrote: 'The spine is severely damaged in the lower vertebrae, the bones that stick to the pelvis indicate that the victim may have gastrointestinal TB. DNA analyzes are underway to verify this. It is possible that the underlying condition of the disease has killed the victim. '

Tuberculosis

Gastrointestinal TB is caused by Mycobacterium bovis. It can enter the body when we eat meat or milk from infected animals, from which it easily enters the intestine. Currently Mycobacterium tuberculosis TB attacks humans in many ways and is also more common. One third of the world population currently has Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

Archaeologists are examining the skeleton dating back to the year 302 AD, bearing traces of tuberculosis.(Photo: Sarah Mitchell / York University)

This disease affects the spine and pelvis of humans. It is possible that the victim had contracted the disease from a baby by eating infected meat or milk. But it is also possible that the disease has invaded the lungs. The disease does not develop until the victim is mature, then the stage of the second disease progression causes serious consequences.

"This is a remarkable discovery," Heslinton of the University of York's Department of Archeology said. at the end of the Roman period in England, it also provided information about life in York from 1500 years ago. '

'This burial place is very close to the people' s living area, which is not normal at that time because most graves are located in the cemetery. It is possible that the victim is buried here because TB is very rare at the time, people do not want to carry the body away. '

Detail

'Victims show signs of muscle damage. Healthy muscles show that the victim has carried out many repeated physical activities when he was healthy. There are some signs of wear and tear, the debris in his front teeth is probably the result of repeated activities that are repeated. Bone also has evidence of infection on both hind legs but seems to heal at the time of the victim's death. '

The investigation is still ongoing.

Charlotte Roberts of Durham University and Terry Brown of Manchester University are currently studying the skeleton's DNA. This process belongs to research on the origin, development and spread of tuberculosis-causing bacteria in the UK as well as in Europe funded by the National Environmental Research Council.

Photo taken near the skeleton.(Photo: Sarah Mitchell / York University)