PMID: 15362348Sep 15, 2004Paper

Field paleoradiography of skeletal material from the early classic period of Copan, Honduras

Canadian Association of Radiologists Journal = Journal L'Association Canadienne Des Radiologistes
Kenneth C NystromJane E Buikstra

Abstract

To perform a radiographic evaluation of the skeletal remains of 2 elite individuals from the Early Classic Period of Copan, namely, K'inich Yax K'uk' Mo' (Hunal Burial 95-2), founder of the Early Classic Dynasty, and the primary female interment from the Motmot tomb (Burial 37-8). Our aims were to document pathologies and subsequent changes in long-bone density resulting from physiologic or functional adaptations, such as disuse atrophy. Standardized anteroposterior and mediolateral radiographs were obtained using a portable veterinary x-ray unit and Polaroid film. Orthogonal radiographs were used to estimate the cross-sectional biomechanical properties of the long bones. In the case of Yax K'uk' Mo', it appears that there was trauma-induced disuse atrophy of the right forearm resulting in an accelerated loss of cortical bone in the right humerus relative to the left humerus. The restructuring of this individual's left shoulder girdle probably resulted in radical structural and functional changes. Although this fracture could have contributed to degenerative changes and paralysis, there was no evidence of disuse atrophy in the left upper limb. The gracile Motmot skeleton showed no signs of osteoporosis, osteopenia or disuse atr...Continue Reading

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