Skeletal biology and pathology of the people of Wadi Faynan in Southern Jordan

Abstract EN

During the field season of 1995-1996, fifty five human skeletons were recovered from the South Cemetery of Wadi Faynan, The site is located approximately 300km south-west of Amman, Jordan.

The majority of the skeletons (over 90%) are complete and in a very good state of preservation.

All individuals were buried in single graves which were dug to a depth of about 1.5 to 1.7m.

The bodies were all covered with stone slabs of various sizes.

All skeletons were aligned east -west with the head towards the west and the hands crossed over the stomach.

Analysis of the skeletal remains show the following: firstly, there is a high incidence of both dental wear and antemortem tooth loss and a very low incidence of dental caries which suggests a diet high in proteins and roughage and low in carbohydrates; secondly, there is a high incidence of osteoarthritis, apparently as a result of carrying heavy loads over rugged terrain, the site being a copper mine; thirdly, with the exception of two suggestive cases of tuberculosis and one case of cribra orbitalia, it appears that the people of Wadi Faynan enjoyed a healthy life.

The dry bones lack evidence of known bone pathologies such as leprosy, neoplasms, rickets or other conditions that can be diagnosed.