Health patterns of proto-byzantine populations (6th-7th centuries AD) in South Greece: the cases of Eleutherna (Crete) and Messene (Peloponnese)

Up to now, only scattered information exists about the history and bioarchaeology of proto-Byzantine Greece, since no abundant records or major excavation projects refer to this turbulent period in question, highly marked by historical, social, economic and environmental changes. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the impact of historical and environmental changes (i.e. invasions, natural disasters, such as earthquakes) on the health status of the once living populations at Eleutherna and Messene and to determine the subgroups within the population that were more at risk. The results of the anthropological and palaeopathological study revealed interesting aspects on health and disease. The observed pathological conditions suggest the differential adaptation ability of past populations to the changing environment; while the settlement of Eleutherna is abandoned during the first half of the 7(th) century AD, that of Messene enjoys a prosperous life until the early 9(th) century AD. Copyright (C) 2003 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.