Reconstruction of the health status in a past human population: the Iron Age necropolis of Monte Bibele (Bologna, Italy).

This paper examines the condition of health of an iron age population from Monte Bibele (Bologna, Italy). The vertebral spine is the site most frequently affected by disease: cleft atlas, spina bifida of the sacrum, sacralization of the 5th lumbar spine, arthrosis. Arthrosis is also present in the hip, elbow, shoulder and knee. Fractures are common. Periostitis and osteoporosis and a probable case of acromegaly are present. The majority of the pathologic changes observed in the population of Monte Bibele appears to be related to senescence or to occupational causes.