Chronic otitis media (COM) is an inflammatory condition known to affect the bony structures of the middle ear, including the auditory ossicles. This study aims to evaluate the presence of COM within an osteoarchaeological sample from Pava, a medieval rural site in central Italy (Tuscany, 10th-12th centuries CE). A total of 224 ossicles were extracted from 20 non-adults and 99 adults using dental instruments; the ossicles were cleaned with water and air-dried before visual inspection using a stereomicroscope The results revealed that 32.8% of the individuals exhibited pathological alterations, with 25% of nonadults and 34.3% of adults affected, and a higher prevalence of COM was found among males (39.6%) compared to females (28.3%). Pitting was the most common lesion (76.9%), with the incus bone being the most affected ossicle (67.3%). In comparison to data from other medieval sites in central Europe, the lower prevalence of COM in the Pava sample could be attributed to the possible limited exposure of rural communities to risk factors such as indoor air pollution and overcrowding living conditions. In palaeopathological research, auditory ossicles are rarely investigated, despite being bony structures susceptible to changes resulting from COM. Beyond being the first investigation on COM in southern European populations, this study identified further types of lesions never described in prior bioarchaeological studies (new bone formations, bone resorption and bone remodeling). Research limitations include the inability to examine all auditory ossicles per individual, as well as the limited number of nonadults. Further examination from various contexts across Italy could offer insights into the prevalence of COM from a diachronic perspective.
Auditory ossicle changes as an indicator of chronic otitis media in medieval central Italy (Tuscany, 10th-12th century CE)
Giuffra V.;Riccomi G.
2024-01-01
Abstract
Chronic otitis media (COM) is an inflammatory condition known to affect the bony structures of the middle ear, including the auditory ossicles. This study aims to evaluate the presence of COM within an osteoarchaeological sample from Pava, a medieval rural site in central Italy (Tuscany, 10th-12th centuries CE). A total of 224 ossicles were extracted from 20 non-adults and 99 adults using dental instruments; the ossicles were cleaned with water and air-dried before visual inspection using a stereomicroscope The results revealed that 32.8% of the individuals exhibited pathological alterations, with 25% of nonadults and 34.3% of adults affected, and a higher prevalence of COM was found among males (39.6%) compared to females (28.3%). Pitting was the most common lesion (76.9%), with the incus bone being the most affected ossicle (67.3%). In comparison to data from other medieval sites in central Europe, the lower prevalence of COM in the Pava sample could be attributed to the possible limited exposure of rural communities to risk factors such as indoor air pollution and overcrowding living conditions. In palaeopathological research, auditory ossicles are rarely investigated, despite being bony structures susceptible to changes resulting from COM. Beyond being the first investigation on COM in southern European populations, this study identified further types of lesions never described in prior bioarchaeological studies (new bone formations, bone resorption and bone remodeling). Research limitations include the inability to examine all auditory ossicles per individual, as well as the limited number of nonadults. Further examination from various contexts across Italy could offer insights into the prevalence of COM from a diachronic perspective.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.