Paleopathological and paleodemographical analysis of Sarmatian osteological series originating from southern Hungary.

Abstract

The Sarmatian are one of the most characteristic people of the Great Hungarian Plain between the 1st and 5th centuries AD. The main purpose of our study was paleodemographical and paleopathological analysis of Sarmatian osteological samples originating from the southern part of the Great Hungarian Plain. During the analysis classical anthropological methods were used. However, we have to note that the fragmentary state of preservation of skeletons caused some incertainty during the examinations. The examined Caucasoid osteological series (skeletal remains of 97 individuals) contains mixed male and female skeletons, the distribution of which is nearly the same. Among pathological lesions, beside the bony symptoms of joint alterations and non-specific infections, traumatic and hematological lesions and developmental alterations can also be seen.