Objective

To investigate evidence for maxillary sinusitis and pulmonary inflammation in archaeological skeletons dating to the Late Intermediate Period (AD 1000-1476) at the site of Pachacamac, Peru.

Materials

Thirty-nine individuals (male, female, and unknown sex; 16+ years age-at-death) were analyzed for inflammatory periosteal reaction (IPR) on the visceral (inner) surfaces of the ribs, and 16 individuals were analyzed for evidence of maxillary sinusitis.

Methods

All individuals were macroscopically examined for bony changes in the maxillary sinuses and new bone formation on the ribs according to pre-established criteria.

Results

Some 33.3% (13/39) of individuals had IPR on the ribs and 93.8% (15/16) had bony changes in the maxillary sinuses.

Conclusions

Respiratory disease was likely prevalent in people buried at Pachacamac during the Late Intermediate Period. A number of factors may have increased the risk of developing respiratory disease, including exposure to poor air quality and increased crowding and social mixing, resulting from pilgrimage to this important ritual center.

Significance

This paper represents one of the first systematic analyses of evidence for respiratory disease in Peruvian and South American human skeletal remains, demonstrating the suitability of the region for further study.

Limitations

A limited sample was available for analysis. Additionally, the site’s skeletal preservation was excellent, meaning the sample available for assessment of maxillary sinusitis was smaller, being limited to individuals with post-mortem breakage.

Further Research

The results of this study should stimulate further much needed systematic investigation of evidence for respiratory disease in other Peruvian and South American populations.

中文翻译：

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Ychsma 的古病理学：秘鲁帕查卡马克中央海岸遗址中晚期（公元 1000-1476 年）呼吸系统疾病的证据

客观的

调查秘鲁帕查卡马克遗址中晚期（公元 1000-1476 年）考古骨骼中上颌窦炎和肺部炎症的证据。

材料

对 39 名个体（男性、女性和未知性别；16 岁以上的死亡年龄）的肋骨内脏（内）表面的炎症性骨膜反应 (IPR) 进行了分析，并分析了 16 名个体的证据上颌窦炎。

方法

根据预先确定的标准，对所有个体进行宏观检查，以确定上颌窦的骨变化和肋骨上的新骨形成。

结果

大约 33.3% (13/39) 的人在肋骨上有 IPR，93.8% (15/16) 在上颌窦有骨性变化。

结论

在中后期埋葬在帕查卡马克的人中，呼吸系统疾病很可能普遍存在。许多因素可能增加了患呼吸系统疾病的风险，包括暴露在恶劣的空气质量中以及由于前往这个重要的仪式中心朝圣而导致的拥挤和社会交往增加。

意义

本文是对秘鲁和南美人类骨骼遗骸中呼吸道疾病证据的首次系统分析之一，证明该地区适合进一步研究。

限制

可供分析的样本有限。此外，该部位的骨骼保存非常好，这意味着可用于评估上颌窦炎的样本较小，仅限于死后破损的个体。

进一步的研究

这项研究的结果应该会刺激对其他秘鲁和南美洲人群呼吸系统疾病证据的进一步急需的系统调查。