Life and death of a leprosy sufferer from the 8th-century-CE cemetery of Kiskundorozsma-Kettoshatar I (Duna-Tisza Interfluve, Hungary)-Biological and social consequences of having Hansen's disease in a late Avar Age population from Hungary.

ABSTRACT: The aim of our paper is to demonstrate a middle-aged male (KK61) from the 8th-century-CE cemetery of Kiskundorozsma-Kettőshatár I (Duna-Tisza Interfluve, Hungary), who appears to represent the lepromatous form of Hansen's disease. Leprosy has affected not only the rhinomaxillary region of his face but also his lower limbs, with severe deformation and disfigurement of the involved anatomical areas (saddle-nose and flat-foot deformity, respectively). Consequently, he would have experienced disability in performing the basic activities of daily living, such as eating, drinking, standing or walking; and thus, he would have required regular and substantial care from others to survive. Despite his very visible disease and associated debility, it seems that KK61 was accepted as a member of the co

SUBMITTER: Spekker O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8856564 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature