The Neolithic Revolution and Subsequent Emergence of the Celiac Affection

Abstract

Evidence suggests that celiac disease initially emerged as a distinct intestinal disorder sometime after organization of hunter-gatherers into human workforces capable of agriculture, especially wheat cultivation. This Neolithic revolution possibly developed to permit competitive survival over other hunter-gatherer groups. Recent archeological data suggests that wheat cultivation may have occurred in eastern Turkey, near the Gobleki Tepe, a recently discovered archeological site in the Fertile Crescent, about 10,000 to 12,000 years ago. DNA fingerprinting data suggests that diploid Einkorn wheat from this region was domesticated through hybridization into other more modern hexaploid grains with a higher more immunogenic gliadin content. Clinical features suggestive of celiac disease and recommendations for treatment are believed to have been first described by Aretaeus from Cappadocia about 250 AD, and later, by other clinicians from Europe and North America. In recent decades, celiac disease has become further defined as a clinical and pathological disorder developing in genetically predisposed individuals as a result of an immune-mediated reaction to specific peptides in wheat and other grains. Data largely from screening studies also suggests that the disorder is not uncommon, occurring in up to 2% of most populations studied. Detection is also increasing, possibly due to better clinical recognition, wider use of screening methods and, possibly, a true increase in celiac disease occurrence.

Gluten-Free Rome: Celiac disease in the bioarchaeological record

“…However, its rise in frequency during modern times may have more to do with superior methods of diagnosis and greater awareness than its actual origins. Some scholars presume that celiac disease originated sometime after the domestication of wheat (Freeman 2013). According to Freeman (2013), the first diagnosis of celiac disease can be traced back to Aretaeus the Cappadocian, a Greek physician of the second century CE who wrote of an ailment he named "coeliac" that he derived from the Greek word for abdomen, "koiliakos".…”

“…Some scholars presume that celiac disease originated sometime after the domestication of wheat (Freeman 2013). According to Freeman (2013), the first diagnosis of celiac disease can be traced back to Aretaeus the Cappadocian, a Greek physician of the second century CE who wrote of an ailment he named "coeliac" that he derived from the Greek word for abdomen, "koiliakos". Aretaeus wrote that "coeliac" involves chronic diarrhea, food indigestion, and abdominal pain; however, these symptoms are not exclusive to celiac disease.…”

“…Aretaeus wrote that "coeliac" involves chronic diarrhea, food indigestion, and abdominal pain; however, these symptoms are not exclusive to celiac disease. Freeman (2013) indicates that "coeliac" may instead be mesothelioma, a cancer of the organ linings. As mesothelioma and celiac disease are diseases of the intestine, both present similar symptoms.…”

“…A number of digestive diseases linked to the adoption of agriculture, such as celiac disease which afflicts at least 1% of most human populations, remain a modern issue (Mustalahti et al 2010;Rubio-Tapia et al 2012). Researchers suggest that celiac disease originated with the onset of wheat cultivation (Freeman 2013); however, it is difficult to recognize the ailment in the palaeopathological record (Rühli and Ikram 2014: 55). Other research has traced the first diagnoses of the ailment to the second century CE based on the writings of the classical physician Aretaeus the Cappadocian (Losowsky 2008;Freeman 2013).…”

“…Researchers suggest that celiac disease originated with the onset of wheat cultivation (Freeman 2013); however, it is difficult to recognize the ailment in the palaeopathological record (Rühli and Ikram 2014: 55). Other research has traced the first diagnoses of the ailment to the second century CE based on the writings of the classical physician Aretaeus the Cappadocian (Losowsky 2008;Freeman 2013). Given that celiac disease is a soft tissue disorder and therefore osteologically absent, there is no way to substantiate these hypotheses.…”