The population of the Vikinga era of Sweden seems to have suffered serious oral and maxillofacial diseases. Also infections of the sinuses and the ear, osteoarthritis and much more. A detailed analysis of his remains revealed the secret of the Vikings skulls. They were not, apparently, the healthiest people in the world. This is demonstrated by a study by the University of Gothenburg. Vikings skulls were examined using modern X -ray techniques.
About a year ago, the researchers published a report. It was based on the examination of a large number of teeth of the population of the Vikinga era of Varnhem, in the Swedish province of Västergötland. It is known for its thousands of old tombs and excavations of well -preserved skeletons.
Three -dimensional image
Now, dentists from the University of Gothenburg have taken this research beyond. They also reviewed the complete skulls, using modern computerized tomography. The results suggest that the 15 individuals whose skulls were examined suffered from a wide range of diseases. Computerized tomographs show pathological bone growths in the skull and jaw, revealing infections and other conditions.
Several individuals had symptoms of having suffered infections of the sinuses or ear. They were left trace in adjacent bone structures. Signs of osteoarthritis and various dental diseases were also found. All skulls belonged to adults who died between 20 and 60 years.
The study was carried out with specialists in Dental Radiology. They obtained three -dimensional images to study in detail the different types of skeletal damages of the skull. «There was a lot to observe. We find many signs of disease in these individuals. We don’t know exactly why. We see the traces that remained in the skeletal structures, ”they said in a statement.
Pilot study
«The results of the study provide a greater understanding of the health and well -being of these people. We all know what it is to have pain somewhere, one can be quite desperate for help. But at that time, they did not have the medical and dental attention that we have today, or antibiotics. If you developed an infection, I could stay there for a long time.
Revealing the secret of Vikings skulls is a pilot study. An important aspect was to test the technique as a method for future and broader studies.
«Many of the current archaeological methods are invasive and require tissue extraction for analysis. Now we can keep the remains completely intact and still extract a lot of information, ”they said.
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