The many facets of human spinal pathology: A review of research areas and recording methodologies on skeletal remains

Spinal arthropathies have been prevalent throughout history, so the recording and analysis of these pathologies is important across multiple disciplines from archaeology through to clinical anatomy. Analysis of manifestations of diseases and degeneration of the vertebral column in ancient human remains provides valuable insights not only into the lifestyles of past populations, but also the evolution, development and spread of spinal arthropathies seen in modern populations. To carry out research reliably on spinal pathologies in different populations requires robust and replicable methodologies. The aims of this project were therefore to identify in the literature the methods being used for identification and recording of spinal pathology on dry bone from archaeological contexts, and to explore the aims of such studies and their key findings. A review of biological anthropology and archaeology studies and professional reports identified three main methodologies. One method relates to the simple presence or absence of a condition, while two methods grade the severity of different pathological bone changes using numerical severity scales. It was also identified through the review that the overarching goal of many studies has been to compare lifestyles between populations that vary temporally and geographically. This goal seems to have been limited by several features, both in terms of the populations studied and the approaches used, which prevent direct comparisons. These need to be addressed in future analyses, while approaches such as standardisation of methods and the use of clinical knowledge in the field of biological anthropology will contribute to a better understanding of spinal arthropathies in both past and present populations.