Lives of Broken Bones: Childhood and Adolescent Fractures in Post-Medieval Dutch Communities (1650–1850 CE)

Abstract

Trauma analysis in bioarchaeology provides an understanding of lived experiences by contributing information on how aspects of individual identity, including socioeconomic status and occupation, influence the presence and consequences of fractures. Yet, few systematic studies have undertaken the analysis of fractures in children and adolescents. This thesis examines ante-mortem fractures in children and adolescents (1–20 years) from the urban centers of Arnhem, Eindhoven, Alkmaar, and Zwolle from 1650–1850 CE in the Netherlands. Assessment was carried out using macroscopic, microscopic, and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) analyses. In total, 16/55 individuals displayed evidence of fracture. Children of all ages experienced fractures in the examined collections, but there was a peak in the occurrence of fractures in those who died in the middle adolescence age category (15-17 years) followed by early adolescence (10-14 years). The increase in fractures during adolescence follows the expected pattern for modern and archaeological populations, likely resulting from engagement with new activities. Males and females experienced fractures equally, indicating both undertook activities with risk of fracture. The only clear relationship in the analysed data was the presence of vertebral compression fractures and Schmorl’s nodes in adolescents of mid- to low-socioeconomic status (p<0.05). There is a significant correlation between the occurrence of compression fractures and Schmorl’s nodes (<0.0001), suggesting they are the result of shared or similar activities. Explanations include strenuous labour, impaired bone health, or a combination of both as those in the lower classes engaged in labour for pay and apprenticeships. Findings from this investigation indicate that detailed bioarchaeological assessments of fractures in children and adolescents are likely to contribute details about their social identities and lived experiences.