1 Paleoradiology: History and New Developments - Academia.dk

68 Chapter 3 The Taphonomic Process, Human Variation, and X-ray Studies
stakes pressed into the Danish Huldremose bog body
caused severe deformity of a forearm (Fig. 3.29) and a
femur (Brothwell et al. 1990). Skulls can deform like
deflated footballs.
Fig. 3.28. Partly decalcified foot bones from the Huldremose
bog body, showing poor bone density
Fig. 3.29. X-ray of the thorax area of the Danish Huldremose
bog body, displaying postmortem changes of the forearm
3.10.5
Abnormal Cavities in Bone
Abnormal cavities within bone can develop for
various reasons, and their interpretation will be influenced
by their position in relation to the area of
skeleton or dentition. They may not always be obvious
on archeological bone since postmortem erosion
can mask an osteolytic lesion. Radiographs can show
whether or not a sclerotic lining exists, thus indicating
a pathological condition that would otherwise
have been missed. If there is the possibility that there
is apical infection (an abscess) at one or more tooth
positions – even without clear external evidence – it
is advisable to radiograph the jaw. Cysts, neoplastic
processes and trauma with infection may all lead to
considerable bone destruction and remodeling. In an
Iron Age pig mandible from Danebury (Fig. 3.30),
there is considerable bone destruction posterior to the
canine, which in lateral view can be seen to extend
under part of the posterior dentition. In the case of a
Saxon phalanx from Southampton, an infection was
obvious at the proximal joint, but only in x-ray can
Fig. 3.30. Radiographic detail of a Danebury Iron Age pig,
showing severe inflammatory changes within the jaw
Fig. 3.31. Photocopy of a radiograph of a Saxon phalanx with a
well-defined internal abscess