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Chronic otitis media sequelae in skeletal material from medieval Denmark
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
Objectives:
Chronic otitis media sequelae (COMS) have been identified in archaeological skeletal materials from various ages. COMS reflecting episodes of upper respiratory tract infection may be used as a paleopathological indicator of general health. Estimation of the frequency of COMS may be useful in the gross evaluation of general standard of living.
Materials And Methods:
Temporal bones and auditory ossicles from 659 individuals from two Danish medieval rural parish cemeteries, dated to 1050-1200 and 1150-1350, respectively, were examined otomicroscopically.
Results:
Osseous fistulae from mastoid abscesses, remodelling of the hypotympanon, and erosion of the incus were among the convincing indications of COMS. A minimum frequency of COMS of 1% to 7% was found. The youngest material displayed the highest frequency of pathological changes.
Conclusion:
Indications of a rising incidence of infectious middle ear disease in early medieval Denmark were found. This may reflect a deterioration of living conditions from the 11th through the 14th centuries.