Morphological and Biomechanical Consequences of Leg Amputation in a Warring States Individual (2200 BP) From the Frontier of Northern China

Abstract

Leg amputation leads to irreversible limb loss and physical impairments, which requires local and systemic skeletal adaptations. The functional morphology of amputees in antiquity has not been systematically investigated. In this study, an individual with signs of lower limb amputation who lived 2200 years ago during the Warring States Period of the Eastern Zhou Dynasty was assessed using functional morphological approaches. The skeleton demonstrated functional morphological adaptations both locally and systematically. Bone thickness and enthesis changes of the amputated leg had signs of atrophy, indicating functional decline and prolonged disuse after the amputation. After amputation, the individual relied on his upper limbs for balance and support. Besides, the individual experienced considerable lumbar strain attributable to his postamputation lifestyle and compensatory movement patterns. The reason for amputation might be penal in a military setting. These findings reveal adaptive mechanisms of limb function and the challenges faced by amputees, offering insights into the consequences of such procedures.