Skeletal palaeopathology and the rheumatic diseases: Where are we now?

Abstract

Many rheumatologists have an interest in the history of the rheumatic diseases. Sources of historical data include medical manuscripts, non-medical literature, art, and archaeological specimens such as mumnnmies and skeletons. Skeletal material is more commonly available than mummies and should provide valuable data on rheumatic diseases which leave imprints on bones. Over the last decade there have been an increasing number of publications on arthritis in skeletons; this article briefly reviews these reports and their contribution to rheumatology.