Internat J Osteoarchaeol 11 (5)

Reports a substantial assemblage from the Queen's Hotel site. By studying bone surface modification, fragmentation and skeletal completeness as taphonomic indicators, it was possible to demonstrate that the assemblage had resulted from two very different modes of accumulation and deposition. Refuse pits situated within the boundaries of the tenements had acted as accumulators of the fragmented and abraded small mammal and amphibian bones that existed as a sub-surface death assemblage within the local environment. In contrast, the numerous frogs recovered from the basal fill of a wooden well are accounted for as a result of pit-fall trapping. This paper also discusses the implications that the temporal and spatial variation in deposition demonstrated by the micro-faunal remains has for the reconstruction of local ecological and environmental conditions within this site, and for other such sites.

This paper describes the pathology and aetiology of diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH), a condition that becomes increasingly common with age. The article also considers DISH as being a probable multisystem hormonal disorder. Suggests that DISH occurs frequently in human skeletal remains, particularly in those recovered from monastic sites. Evidence is presented to support this association and the causes are discussed.

Reports on one of a group of 136 medieval skeletons excavated in Norwich. A thirteen to fifteen year old displayed a large circular defect on the distal articular surface of the right medial cuneiform, which is considered by the author to be an example of unhealed osteochondritis dissecans. This is suggested to represent the first published case of osteochondritis dissecans involving this bone in either archaeological or clinical material.