Naslov
Health Risks Associated With Medieval Urban Living – Examples from Croatia

Autori
Vyroubal, Vlasta ; Bedić, Željka ; Adamić, Anita ; Šlaus, Mario

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Sažeci sa skupova, sažetak, znanstveni

Izvornik
Arheološki pogled na srednjeveško urbanost - PROGRAM SIMPOZIJA IN POVZETKI AVTORJEV / - , 2017, 21-21

Skup
Arheološki pogled na srednjeveško urbanost

Mjesto i datum
Ljubljana, Slovenija, 16.11.2017. - 18.11.2017

Vrsta sudjelovanja
Predavanje

Vrsta recenzije
Nije recenziran

Ključne riječi
Disease ; Parasites ; Urban ; Medieval ; Zagreb ; Rijeka

Sažetak
Medieval cities were small by our standards. High population density and the hygiene (or the lack there of) of the inhabitants did not only create problems, but real health hazards. The contents of chamber pots were habitually emptied into the streets leading to polluted springs and wells. Those used to rural way of living, who were forced or tempted to move to an urban area could expect to find little improvement in the living standard of an urban environment. The typical medieval environment was a toxic mixture of filth, noise and rats, with streets filled with sewage and rubbish. All of this made urban environments a breeding ground for diseases of every kind. High concentrations of parasites and frequent epidemic diseases in urban settings affected mortality more profoundly than in rural areas. Additionally, in urban areas certain foods were difficult to obtain and impossible to store, leading to a significant absence of fruits and vegetables, and consequently elevated frequencies of illnesses associated with vitamin deficiencies and malnutrition. This research primarily deals with two large medieval urban skeletal series from Croatia (Zagreb and Rijeka), although some pathological cases from other medieval urban sites are also included. The collected archaeological and anthropological data suggest that the cemetery associated with the church of St Francis in Zagreb was a prestige cemetery used primarily by the high-class, while much of the area of Pul Vele Crikve Square in Rijeka was occupied by the municipal cemetery. Poor living conditions and diet led to numerous health problems, which afflicted both the wealthy and the poor. Diseases observed include anaemia, arthritis, tuberculosis and sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis. 21

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

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