A Possible Case of Scurvy in Byzantine Skeletal Remains from Khirbet el-Bediyah Archaeological Site, Jordan
Abu Dalou, A., Al-Muheisen, Z., Knudson, A., Huang, Y., Schroeder, H., Otum, K., Khwaileh, A., Al-Shorman, A. (2025). A Possible Case of Scurvy in Byzantine Skeletal Remains from Khirbet el-Bediyah Archaeological Site, Jordan. EKB Journal Management System, 14(14), 462-479. doi: 10.21608/shedet.2025.326543.1273
Ahmad Yosuf Abu Dalou; Zeidoun H. Al-Muheisen; Anna Kjær Knudson; Yuejiao Huang; Hannes Schroeder; Khader W. Otum; Ali M. Khwaileh; Abdulla Al-Shorman. "A Possible Case of Scurvy in Byzantine Skeletal Remains from Khirbet el-Bediyah Archaeological Site, Jordan". EKB Journal Management System, 14, 14, 2025, 462-479. doi: 10.21608/shedet.2025.326543.1273
Abu Dalou, A., Al-Muheisen, Z., Knudson, A., Huang, Y., Schroeder, H., Otum, K., Khwaileh, A., Al-Shorman, A. (2025). 'A Possible Case of Scurvy in Byzantine Skeletal Remains from Khirbet el-Bediyah Archaeological Site, Jordan', EKB Journal Management System, 14(14), pp. 462-479. doi: 10.21608/shedet.2025.326543.1273
Abu Dalou, A., Al-Muheisen, Z., Knudson, A., Huang, Y., Schroeder, H., Otum, K., Khwaileh, A., Al-Shorman, A. A Possible Case of Scurvy in Byzantine Skeletal Remains from Khirbet el-Bediyah Archaeological Site, Jordan. EKB Journal Management System, 2025; 14(14): 462-479. doi: 10.21608/shedet.2025.326543.1273

A Possible Case of Scurvy in Byzantine Skeletal Remains from Khirbet el-Bediyah Archaeological Site, Jordan

Shedet
Volume 14, Issue 14, January 2025, Page 462-479  XML PDF (1.27 MB)
Document Type: research articles
DOI: 10.21608/shedet.2025.326543.1273
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Authors
Ahmad Yosuf Abu Dalou email orcid 1; Zeidoun H. Al-Muheisen2; Anna Kjær Knudson3; Yuejiao Huang3; Hannes Schroeder4; Khader W. Otum5; Ali M. Khwaileh6; Abdulla Al-Shorman7
1Department of Anthropology Yarmouk University - Jordan
2Department of Archaeology Yarmouk University Irbid - Jordan
3Globe Institute Section for Molecular Ecology and Evolution Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences Copenhagen, Denmark
4Global Institute Section for Molecular Ecology and Evolution Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
5Department of Anthropology Yarmouk University Irbid - Jordan
6Department of Anthropology Faculty of Archaeology and Anthropology Yarmouk University Irbid-Jordan
7Department of Anthropology Yarmouk University Irbid-Jordan
Abstract
Scurvy, a disease resulting from vitamin C (ascorbic acid) deficiency, leaves distinct skeletal markers that are well-documented in bioarchaeological studies, providing valuable insights into the characteristics of this metabolic disorder. This research investigates the osteological indicators and manifestations of scurvy in a young individual from the Byzantine period at the Khirbet el-Bediyah archaeological site in Jordan. While scurvy has been identified globally in archaeological contexts, few cases have been reported in Jordan, making this study particularly valuable for understanding the broader health and nutritional patterns of the region during the Byzantine era.  The skeletal analysis revealed several diagnostic features of scurvy, including subperiosteal new bone formation (SPNB) on the long bones, porosity on the cranial bones, and cortical abnormalities on the mandible. The study applies established diagnostic criteria for scurvy, offering a comprehensive assessment of the lesions. The results highlight the significance of scurvy as a health condition in Byzantine Jordan and contribute to the growing body of knowledge on nutritional deficiencies, health disparities, and their socio-cultural implications in ancient Mediterranean societies.
Keywords
Scurvy; Byzantine period; osteological evidence; Khirbet el-Bediyah; Jordan
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