Spina Bifida Sacralis Occulta from Ancient Greek Sicily (Pozzanghera Necropolis, Leontinoi, 6th–4th Century BC): Anatomical, Anthropological and Ethnomedical Considerations on the Insular Presentation of this Congenital Anomaly

Sebastiano Melintenda; Elena Varotto; Eleonora Pappalardo; Lorenzo Guzzardi; Veronica Papa; Dario Palermo; Francesco M. Galassi

doi:10.18778/1898-6773.86.2.02

Authors

Sebastiano Melintenda FAPAB Research Center, Avola (SR), Sicily, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2696-293X
Elena Varotto FAPAB Research Center, Avola (SR), Sicily, Italy; Archaeology, College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA, Australia; Department of Humanities (DISUM), University of Catania, Catania, Sicily, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6637-9402
Eleonora Pappalardo Department of Educational Sciences (DISFOR), University of Catania, Catania, Sicily, Italy
Lorenzo Guzzardi Parco Archeologico di Leontinoi, Lentini, Siracusa, Sicily, Italy
Veronica Papa FAPAB Research Center, Avola (SR), Sicily, Italy; Department of Motor Sciences and Wellness, School of Science, Engineering and Health, University of Naples “Parthenope”, Naples, Italy https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9995-1097
Dario Palermo Department of Educational Sciences (DISFOR), University of Catania, Catania, Sicily, Italy
Francesco M. Galassi Department of Anthropology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Łódź, Łódź, Poland https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8902-3142

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18778/1898-6773.86.2.02

Keywords:

anatomy, congenital anomaly, palaeopathology, Sicily, spina bifida occulta, vertebral column

Abstract

In this article a case of spina bifida sacralis occulta (SBSO) from the Pozzanghera necropolis of the ancient Greek colony of Leontinoi (Sicily) and archaeologically dated to the 6th–4th century BC is morphologically analysed and discussed. An ethnomedical excursus on the knowledge and impact of this condition in Sicilian history is offered. Although SBO is one of the most frequent congenital anomalies in the global palaeopathological record, a comprehensive literature search did not yield results for the history of Sicily before Christ, hence this case enriches existing knowledge on the historical presentation of this vertebral congenital anomaly in this region.

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