Foot anomalies in the Late Neolithic/Chalcolithic population exhumed from the rock cut cave of São Paulo 2 (Almada, Portugal)

Abstract

The study of developmental abnormalities of the tarsal bones in a Portuguese Late Neolithic population was performed, as part of an ongoing research project that includes the evaluation of foot defects in Portuguese skeletal populations from Neolithic times to modern 20th century samples. Two accessory bones were found, calcaneum secundarium and os trigonum, and three non-osseous coalitions were detected, calcaneonavicular, cuboid-navicular and third metatarsal-third cuneiform. The newly presented frequencies corresponded to other published sources, except for the frequency of calcaneum secundarium, higher than in previous studies (8.6% left bones; 15.2% right bones). This result suggests population homogeneity maybe due to geographic isolation and/or marriage customs although the exact pattern of inheritance of the majority of these foot anomalies is unknown. No apparent sex bias was detected and side could not be tested since these human remains were uncovered from a commingled funerary context.

Identification of tarsal coalition and frequency estimates from skeletal samples

“…Despite a relatively high frequency of tarsal coalition among some populations (Pfitzner, 1896; Rühli et al ., 2003), the non‐osseous form of coalition has received relatively little attention by physical anthropologists until recently, when there has been a notable increase in documented archaeological cases of CN and TC coalition (e.g. Silva, 2005; Darton, 2007; Hofmann et al ., 2010; Dinwiddy, 2009; Silva, 2010; Silva & Silva, 2010). The earlier lack of attention to these coalitions is understandable, given that the morphology of NOC lesions in dry bone is difficult to ascertain from radiographs and other imaging technologies, and that photographs or illustrations of dry bone specimens have only been published for a few types (e.g.…”

Paleopathological, Trichological and Paleoparasitological Analysis of Human Skeletal Remains from the Migration Period Cemetery Prague-Zličín

“…In paleopathological studies, calcaneonavicular coalitions have been researched and described by Angel (1971), Stloukal and Vyhnánek (1976), Dastugue and Metz (1977), Cooperman et al (2001), Silva (2005;2011), Darton (2007, Dinwiddy (2009), Silva andSilva (2010) and Case and Burnett (2012). Most of them were case studies; only Cooperman et al (2001) and Case and Burnett (2012) recorded the frequency of tarsal coalition in whole skeletal collections.…”

Calcaneus secundarius – a relevant differential diagnosis in ankle pain: a case report and review of the literature

“…The prevalence of CS as described in the literature is uncertain, since it differs significantly depending on the type of study (radiologic or anatomic) [ 4 , 25 ] and on the population studied [ 25 - 27 ]. With a prevalence ranging from 0.14% up to 7% the CS is one of the more infrequently found accessory bones of the foot, which though should not be underestimated [ 2 , 4 , 5 , 7 , 12 , 15 , 16 , 26 , 28 - 33 ].…”

“…The frequency of CS may vary between different peoples. Silva, for example, reported on a Neolithic-Chalcolithic population in Almada, Portugal, in which an increased incidence of CS was found, namely 8.6% in left and 15.2% in right feet [ 27 ]. Although until now no heredity transmission has been proven, these findings raised a discussion about aspects such as geographic isolation and intermarriage in relation to the incidence of CS [ 26 ].…”

“…Laidlaw stated that the low incidence of CS found in anatomic specimens may be due to maceration before examination [ 18 ]. Environmental factors and association with type of facet configuration and CS are discussed [ 25 , 27 ]. CS is most often associated with a type I and type II configuration of the middle and anterior facet [ 7 , 25 , 32 ].…”