Slide 1: Title: Investigating the Health of a Medieval Parish Community: Osteological

Analysis of St. Mary's Church, Denham

Slide 2: Introduction
I am glad to present osteological investigation results on medieval parish health and lifestyle. We
can examine the struggles of those who lived and died during this historic period because to the
bones of at least 50 people recovered at St. Mary's Church in Denham, Buckinghamshire. This
report covers site context, materials, methods, and results. We will cover bioarchaeological
studies and medieval life impacts of osteological evidence.
Slide 3: Background
Denham's St. Mary's Church was built in the 12th century and restored in the 13th to 15th
centuries. Many inhumation burials were found in the church and graveyard during 2015–2017
archaeological investigations for repairs. According to archeological and historical sources, these
tombs are predominantly medieval (1100–1550 AD). A parish community's health and existence
during a crucial period in English history can be studied using this historical framework.
Slide 4: Materials
At least 50 adults and non-adults from the skeleton assemblage were studied. Despite varying
preservation and completeness, enough skeleton elements were present for osteology. This rare
collection of bones allowed researchers to interpret Denham people' hardships' detailed stories.
Slide 5: Methods
For accuracy and reproducibility, we cleaned, cataloged, and analyzed using bioarchaeological
procedures. Standard osteology approximated age and sex, revealing the assemblage's
demography. Pathological conditions were noted using top specialists' standards. We examined
linear enamel hypoplasia, dental caries, cribra orbitalia, and periosteal new bone growth since
they indicate physiological stress, disease, and trauma in study participants. True prevalence
rates were computed to account for missing or unobservable skeletal components that could
distort aberrant frequencies. This approach showed assemblage health better. Additionally, intra-
observer error was reduced to increase results reliability.
Slides 6 and 7: Results
Careful inquiry revealed fascinating details about this medieval parish community. Moderate
preservation and completeness characterised most skeletal remains. In the assemblage, we found
37 skeletally mature and 13 skeletally immature individuals to study age-related pathological
anomalies. 28% of visible teeth had linear enamel hypoplasia, a developmental physiological
stress-induced enamel mineralization disturbance. The lesions were found in 38% of women and
20% of men. Cariogenic diets caused 22% of tooth cavities. Females reported 19% prevalence,
whereas males had 30%, suggesting gender-based nutritional differences. Juvenile metabolic
condition cribra orbitalia was detected in 25% of orbital roof-observable persons. This disease
was more common in non-adults (38% vs. 21%), highlighting the problems this community's
youth face. Most significantly, 39% of long-boned people exhibited periosteal new bone
formation, indicating inflammation or injury. 22% of participants had active lesions, while 17%
had healed, inactive lesions, suggesting life problems.
The regression analysis investigates skeletal preservation predictors. A moderate positive
correlation: Multiple R=0.412. Completeness highly predicts preservation (β = 0.418, p = 0.004),
accounting for 17.0% of variation. Fragmentation does not significantly affect preservation (β = -
0.073, p = 0.675). One variable predicts preservation (p = 0.009). Complete skeletons suggest
preservation.
Slides 8 and 9: Discussion
St. Mary's Church's medieval parish community's lifestyle and health are illuminated by
osteological data. Linear enamel hypoplasia and cribra orbitalia strongly suggest that food
deficiencies or viral infections caused physiological stress in many children. Girls may have
more linear enamel hypoplasia due to gender-based resource or cultural inequities that harmed
their well-being during critical developmental phases.
Dental caries data suggests medieval diets were high in carbohydrates. Dietary differences or
food preferences may explain male caries prevalence. Many people's periosteal new bone growth
is a heartbreaking reminder of the inflammatory processes, trauma, and physical hardships this
community endured. Active and healed wounds demonstrate the tenacity of those who overcome
these challenges and medieval life. Remember the osteological paradox when interpreting this
data: skeletal abnormalities do not indicate general health. Adult stress markers may be
underrepresented by resilient children who overcame physiological hardships. Remember that
skeletal assemblages are non-random samples of once-living populations. Young deaths and
severe pathological conditions may be underestimated, skewing our impression.
Our regression analysis demonstrates a moderate positive relationship between variables and
skeletal preservation with a multiple R of 0.412. Completeness is a significant predictor of
preservation (β = 0.418, p = 0.004), accounting for 17.0% of variation. This emphasizes the need
to catalog and analyze all skeletal remains. While fragmentation does not impact bone
preservation (β = -0.073, p = 0.675), it emphasizes the complexity of bone preservation
dynamics. However, the model's significance (p = 0.009) suggests that one component predicts
preservation outcomes. Skeletal completeness clarifies problems and stresses preservation. Let's
employ skeleton materials' completeness to solve historical puzzles in bioarchaeology.
Inter-observer variance, intra-observer error, and skeletal assemblage completeness affect our
results' reliability. We have reduced intra-observer error, yet pathogenic lesions may be missed.
Incomplete skeletal materials may have masked pathological illnesses. Future studies could
examine socioeconomic or status-based health markers by investigating church and graveyard
interment distribution. Isotopic analysis could reveal parishioners' foods and movement,
enriching our lifestyle comprehension. Comparing our findings to contemporary skeletal
assemblages from the region may help us comprehend medieval health and lifestyles.
Slide 10: Conclusion
The osteological study of St. Mary's Church, Denham's bone assemblage has offered a
fascinating and emotive look at medieval parish life. Stress signs including linear enamel
hypoplasia, cribra orbitalia, and periosteal new bone growth reveal that many persons
experienced physiological pressures, inflammation, and trauma. Dental caries data suggests a
high-carbohydrate diet for this society, with gender-based differences. This research has
illuminated medieval communities' health difficulties, but we must consider the osteological
paradox and skeletal assemblage biases. It encourages people who endured decades of suffering.
We need spatial analysis, isotopic research, and comparative studies to study the past. A holistic
approach is needed to understand our predecessors' lives, experiences, and issues.
Thank you.

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