Surviving (but not thriving) after cranial vault trauma: A case study from Transylvania.

OBJECTIVE: To link an antemortem cranial injury on the left parietal bone with potential neurocognitive consequences. MATERIALS: The skeleton of a male individual from a Székely archaeological site in Transylvania was examined. The skeleton was radiocarbon dated to Cal AD 1450 and AD 1640 and presented a well-healed antemortem penetrating cranial injury on the left parietal bone. METHODS: Macroscopic and radiographic analyses were conducted and the cranium was also archived digitally with a Faro FreeStyle3D scanner. In addition, well-known literature from neuroscience was synthesized in order to better understand the likely neurological consequences of the injury. RESULTS: The literature suggests that tasks of attention and working memory, sensory processing, language processing, and vision are affected when the parietal lobe of the brain is injured. CONCLUSIONS: Burial 195 did not likely return to a 'normal' life after he survived the cranial injury. SIGNIFICANCE: This study demonstrates that bioarcheological interpretations involving antemortem cranial injuries can be enhanced by collaboration with neuroscientists. Bioarcheological interpretations are improved when the consequences of soft tissue injuries are understood. LIMITATIONS: This study was limited by a lack of historical documents relevant to the region, time period, and specific case study. In addition, interpretations are cautionary because brain functioning cannot be assessed in vivo in the absence of life. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Bioarcheologists who study antemortem cranial injuries should continue to collaborate with neuroscientists.

Differential diagnosis of calcified nodules from a medieval Székely woman in Transylvania.

OBJECTIVE: To differentially diagnose two calcified objects found with the well-preserved and nearly complete skeletal remains excavated in June 2012 by the Haáz Rezso Múzeum in Odorheiu Secuiesc, Romania. MATERIAL: Two objects measuring 25.55 × 18.23 mm and 17.62 × 16.38 mm found with the skeletal remains of a probable female approximately 25-35 years old at the time of death. METHODS: Analysis utilized X-ray, SEM, EDS, CT scanning, and gross morphology to assess pathological conditions with calcification as a common sign. RESULTS: Multiple analyses of the objects revealed two roughened ovoid nodes with internal hollows and openings. Elemental analysis indicated an organic origin, likely representing calcified soft tissue. CONCLUSIONS: Differential diagnosis determined the calcified nodules to be consistent with calcified tumors, and most consistent with a calcified leiomyoma with cystic degeneration, potentially uterine. SIGNIFICANCE: The identification of the calcified nodules as most consistent with calcified uterine leiomyomas adds to the paucity of paleopathological literature on calcified leiomyomas and calcified tumors more broadly. It also allows for an important discussion of the health of women in medieval Transylvania. LIMITATIONS: Interpretation would be aided if a more precise origination within the body was known. Careful excavation and improved recognition of organic objects is necessary for a more definite diagnosis. SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER RESEARCH: Soft tissue calcifications are a common process in a wide variety of diseases and can arise in all areas of the body. Pathological calcifications are relatively common in modern contexts, but remain rare in paleopathological literature.