Achondroplasia among ancient populations of mesoamerica and South America: Iconographic and Archaeological Evidence.
Abstract
Introduction: Achondroplasia is the most frequent form of short-limb dwarfism. Affected individuals exhibit short stature
caused by rhizomelic shortening of the limbs, characteristic facies with frontal bossing and mid-face hypoplasia, genu varum,
and trident hand.
Although the etiology of this disease was reported in 1994, evidence of this disease in ancient populations has been found in
populations of ancient Egypt (2500 BC) and it has been documented in ancient American populations.
Objective: To analyze the presence of individuals with achondroplasia in the Mayan state society of Mexico and Guatemala,
during the Classical (100-950 AC) and Post-Classical (950 - 1519 AC) periods; likewise, in the hierarchical-chieftain society
of Tumaco-la Tolita (300 BC – 600 AC) from the Colombia-Ecuador Pacific coast, and the Moche state society (100 - 600
AC) from the northern coast of Peru.
Materials and methods: Iconographic and clinical-morphological studies of some of the most important artistic representations
of individuals of short stature in these three cultures.
Conclusion: We present the hypothesis that the individuals with short stature were somehow associated with the political
and religious power elite..
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Keywords
- Achondroplasia
- genetics
- archaeology
- dwarfism
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