Meningeal inflammation (Serpens endocrania) and intrathoracic chronic disease in 1st century A.D. Roman Near-East (Qumran): From paleopathology to clinical practice.

INTRODUCTION

Characterized by serpentine vascular impressions on the endocranial surface, Serpens endocrania is closely associated with chronic respiratory diseases, particularly tuberculosis.

MATERIAL/METHOD: Located on the Dead Sea shores, the archaeological site of Qumran is classically associated with the Essenes, a Jewish religious community (1st century B.C. to 68 CE). Among 1200 burials, excavations in the cemetery uncovered the remains of 52 individuals.

RESULTS

Among these 52 remains, we report nine cases of Serpens endocrania (i.e. 17.3% of the small sample), which is much higher than that detected in other studies of ancient populations.

DISCUSSION: We discuss the possible causes of such an unusually high proportion in ancient skeletal populations: exposure to infections (mainly tuberculosis, and/or environmental factors). We also propose silicosis (and/or silico-tuberculosis) as a possible differential diagnosis, taking into consideration the desert environment and, more specifically, prolonged inhalation of quartz/silica dust particles inducing chronic pulmonary inflammation and promoting additional infections.