The Impact of Clubfoot: A Holistic, Paleopathological Case Study from Bronze Age Thailand Using the Bioarchaeology of Care Framework

Kate Domett, Alana Colbert, Nigel Chang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Citation (Scopus)

Abstract

A detailed study of a young adult male burial from Bronze Age Thailand has revealed a series of significant pathological lesions, which, when contextualized in time and place, allow for insights not only into the life of this young man but also his community. Burial 671, represented by a near complete, well-preserved skeleton and a range of grave goods, was dated to 900-700 B.C. from the northeastern Thailand site of Ban Non Wat. Using the Bioarchaeology of Care Model, a detailed analysis of the lower limb pathological lesions, including a comprehensive review of relevant paleopathological and clinical literature, was undertaken. It is suggested this young man had congenital, bilateral clubfoot, as well as a recent, partially healed femoral midshaft fracture. These pathologies would have impacted his mobility and daily activities, but his skeleton indicates that he developed methods to adjust. Combining this assessment with an evaluation of his socio-environmental context, it is evident that this man, though he died young, was an integrated member of his community.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)274-293
Number of pages20
JournalBioarchaeology International
Volume6
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2022

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