Human Female Innominate and Sacrum, Tuberculosis

KOH-442 $315.00

Part of the Hrdlicka Paleopathology Collection, which includes specimens collected in Peru, these bone pathology casts of a human female innominate and sacrum display the responses linked to tuberculosis: numerous circular, relatively smooth-walled lytic lesions with little new bone development involving the sacro-iliac region. Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by bacteria (Mycobacterium bovis or Mycobacterium tuberculosis) and most commonly affecting the bones of the pelvis or vertebral column (possibly leading to kyphosis). Mummies from both Egypt and pre-Columbian Peru have provided paleopathological evidence of tuberculosis. Scientists have surmised that the disease was brought to the Americas from Asia 15,000 years ago or so. More recently researchers have suggested that the skeletal remains of a presumed Homo erectus (500,000 years old) found in Turkey may show signs of TB. We are grateful to the San Diego Museum of Man for the opportunity to cast this specimen. A portion of the sales goes to further their work.