Photo Gallery
Ankylosing Hyperostosis
Site: Guisborough Priory.
Period: Medieval.
Excavator: Cleveland Archaeology (now Tees Archaeology).
Published: Archaeologia Aeliana Vol. ?.
Skeleton: male in middle age.
Catalogue entry: Gross osteophytosis affected the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, all of which were either already ankylosed or in the process of becoming so. Large bulbous growths of bone were present on the right, especially on the lumbar vertebrae. There was no fusion of the facets, and the disc spaces were intact. This lesion of the spine is described by Forestier as ankylosing hyperostosis.
The presence of these lesions were suggestive of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH). This is a condition which is particularly prevalent in middle aged and older men and can be associated with heavy drinking and late-onset diabetes. In the archaeological record, it commonly occurs amongst skeletons excavated from monastic sites. This does not necessarily imply that the disease was affecting monks, as wealthy lay patrons were often buried in these cemeteries.