A severe case of bilateral humerus varus deformity from the Middle Bronze age necropolis of Olmo di Nogara, Northeast Italy. The contribution of biomechanical analysis to paleopathological study

Objective

To gain insights on possible impairment of a Middle Bronze Age individual with bilateral humerus varus buried with a sword in Northeastern Italy.

Materials

A skeleton of a 40–50-year-old male from Olmo di Nogara (Italy) compared to other males from the same necropolis and to Neolithic and Iron Age samples from Italy.

Methods

Macroscopic/X-rays analysis for pathological diagnosis and cross-sectional geometric analysis.

Results

Both humeri of the individual appear short with destruction of the humeral heads, showing severe osteoarthrosis and flattening of the scapular glenoid cavities. The individual showed appreciable humeral bilateral asymmetry; there is no evidence for sustained immobilization.

Conclusions

The pathological modifications suggest a diagnosis of bilateral humeral varism probably following an injury at birth. The individual’s life was likely not significantly affected, as evidence suggests that he remained active and possibly used weapons.

Significance

Biomechanical analyses provided a useful tool to reconstruct the life of the subject within the community, showing that this individual’s apparent upper limb abnormalities did not exempt him from a role as a warrior and highlighting the importance of the warrior identity in this Bronze Age society.

Limitations

The complex interaction between epiphyseal damage and shortening of the humerus makes it difficult to assess activity patterns. Only severe impairment leading to long-term immobilization can be excluded for this individual.

Suggestions for Further Research

Cross-sectional geometry may be used in other cases of humerus varus or bone dysplasia to investigate functional impairment.