Goiter depicted in Byzantine artworks

Area of Science:

• Medical history
• Art history
• Byzantine studies

Background:

• Western civilization's sacral art pathologies are well-documented.
• Byzantine sacral art, rich in detail, has been largely overlooked in pathological studies.

Observation:

• A study analyzed 500 Byzantine artworks.
• 119 artworks depicted 36 distinct physiological or pathological conditions.
• Conditions included gravidity, labor, goiter, joint diseases, and palsy.

Findings:

• Goiter was observed in 42 individuals (females, males, children, and angels).
• The prevalence of goiter suggests potential iodine deficiency in the Byzantine era.
• While diverse pathologies are evident, they are not representative of the general population.

Implications:

• Byzantine art offers valuable insights into historical health and disease.
• This research highlights the need for further investigation into Byzantine medical history through art.
• The findings underscore the importance of considering artistic evidence in understanding past populations' health.