An Approach to the Diagnosis of Craniofacial Fibrous Dysplasia from the 2500‐Year‐Old Remains of a Skull from Ancient China

• Published in: Archaeometry 2018-02, Vol.60 (1), p.171-182
• Main Authors: Shi, Z. Z., Zhang, Q., Cheng, K. L., Shao, H., Zhao, D., Sun, B. T., Yu, J., Sun, Z. C., Li, M. C., Guo, L., Zhu, H., Zhang, Q. C., Huang, Y. H.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: ancient DNA; Archaeology; Bone density; Bronze Age; computed tomography (CT); fibrous dysplasia; Forensic anthropology; Forensic pathology; Head; Lesions; palaeopathology
• ISSN: 0003-813X; 1475-4754
• DOI: 10.1111/arcm.12329

A human skull, buried about 2500 years ago in a Bronze Age cemetery at Jinggouzi, a site of an important ethnic group in ancient China, appeared to have characteristics of fibrous dysplasia. The CT images indicated a reduction in bone density and relatively homogeneous lesions. More features were revealed using CT reconstruction techniques. Lesions seen in low‐magnification images using a 3D deep‐field microscope had an irregular honeycomb‐like structure. At higher magnification, the trabeculae morphology and the gaps between the trabeculae were irregular and varied in size and shape. Paraffin‐embedded specimens stained with HE showed trabeculae with tortuous irregular arrangements varying in shape and width. The irregular trabeculae of woven bone has been described as having fibrous dysplasia. Molecular analysis of the GNAS gene indicated no mutation. This provides a non‐invasive approach for us to make more comprehensive diagnoses and to assist research into ancient human diseases.