Modern Disease Found in Ancient Bones
Evaluation: Modern Disease Found in Ancient Bones
The skeletons of two male teenagers, ages 17-20, were found in the ancient Albanian city of Butrint and are anticipated to be from between the 10th and 13th centuries. The bones were discovered by researchers from Michigan State University who took part in an international team of archaeologists that were excavating the site in Butrint .The two male skeletons seem to have lesions covering their vertebrae that are predicted to be from a disease called brucellosis This disease is typically obtained from eating unpasteurized dairy and is primarily an animal disease passed to humans from the eating of raw sheep and goat cheeses that originated from infected animals. The disease usually results in flu like symptoms such as fever, weakness, and weight loss, however it can also result in bone damage, as was the result in this case since it is the only symptom possible to see in skeletons. The damage in the bones was originally mistaken to be due to tuberculosis however upon further DNA analysis the results came back negative for tuberculosis. Scientists therefore decided to perform a test for brucellosis, which was not originally considered because it was believed to be a modern day disease. This new test proved that the true cause of the bone damage in these skeletons was indeed brucellosis. This discovery proved that brucellosis was not only a modern day disease but was actually present in ancient times as well.
Since these tests are regularly used to test for tuberculosis and brucellosis there does seem to be evidence mentioned supporting the brucellosis diagnosis. However no evidence seemed to be mention that related to the actual age of the bones. It was stated that the bones were from the 10th to 13th century however nothing was ever mentioned that proved this is when they were from. Since a large portion of what makes this discovery important is that a modern disease was found in bones from so long ago evidence
The skeletons of two male teenagers, ages 17-20, were found in the ancient Albanian city of Butrint and are anticipated to be from between the 10th and 13th centuries. The bones were discovered by researchers from Michigan State University who took part in an international team of archaeologists that were excavating the site in Butrint .The two male skeletons seem to have lesions covering their vertebrae that are predicted to be from a disease called brucellosis This disease is typically obtained from eating unpasteurized dairy and is primarily an animal disease passed to humans from the eating of raw sheep and goat cheeses that originated from infected animals. The disease usually results in flu like symptoms such as fever, weakness, and weight loss, however it can also result in bone damage, as was the result in this case since it is the only symptom possible to see in skeletons. The damage in the bones was originally mistaken to be due to tuberculosis however upon further DNA analysis the results came back negative for tuberculosis. Scientists therefore decided to perform a test for brucellosis, which was not originally considered because it was believed to be a modern day disease. This new test proved that the true cause of the bone damage in these skeletons was indeed brucellosis. This discovery proved that brucellosis was not only a modern day disease but was actually present in ancient times as well.
Since these tests are regularly used to test for tuberculosis and brucellosis there does seem to be evidence mentioned supporting the brucellosis diagnosis. However no evidence seemed to be mention that related to the actual age of the bones. It was stated that the bones were from the 10th to 13th century however nothing was ever mentioned that proved this is when they were from. Since a large portion of what makes this discovery important is that a modern disease was found in bones from so long ago evidence