The analysis of human remains in osteoarchaeology involves a detailed clinical examination under strong lighting conducted by an archaeologist with expertise in osteology. Dental instruments such as explorers and mirrors facilitate better tooth viewing, the examination takes place in bright lighting. Scientists can obtain more information on past health conditions and physical damage through planned X-ray imaging using 2D and 3D technology. The research approach keeps ancient artifacts safe while allowing scientists to examine inaccessible body areas without causing damage. Computed tomography (CT) scans were first used as diagnostic tools by the medical community in 1971. Over time, their applications expanded to include the assessment of medical disorders and identifying indications of trauma.
The likelihood of overlapping structures is avoided by CT images, which are three-dimensional in contrast to conventional radiographic imaging. Professionals with specific training must analyze diagnostic CT scans for medical interpretation because these tools provide an essential understanding of the evidence.Â
Archaeological investigations took place in the Varnhem Abbey located in Skara Municipality, Västergötland County, Sweden, in 2005. The Christian community Varnhem operates as the oldest recognized Christian settlement found on Swedish territory. Research teams conducted current tests on the burial grounds to identify genetic links from the Viking Age period. Varnhem preserves botanical finds remarkably due to their mineral components which ensure high preservation quality.
Out of the 171 samples, 15 dental sets were selected for CT scanning. Two primary criteria were used by the researcher (CB) to select the sample based on convenience: the condition of the skull and the suitability of the teeth for the size of the CT scanner. Teeth that did not meet these criteria were excluded from the study. The archaeological study had previously included estimates from the bone specialist (MV) on the age and sex of the individuals. The final research group consisted of 15 subjects. According to medical experts, the age range of the deceased was between 24 and 60 years old.
The CT scan was obtained on the Optima™ CT660 machine from GE Healthcare, Sweden. The scan used helical mode to acquire the skull area while employing slice thicknesses of 0.625 mm between each slice. A field area of 160 mm was explored utilizing an 80 kV voltage level together with a 50-mA current parameter. The stored images were transferred to a medical imaging system through the standard medical format known as DICOM.
Lost Teeth: All subjects, except for two (297, 64), had lost teeth after death (PM), ranging from 1 to 22 teeth. Some teeth were not available for CT imaging because they were not retained within the alveoli. Six subjects had ante-mortem (AM) tooth loss, ranging from 1 to 32 teeth. One subject was totally edentulous (64), and another subject had an edentulous maxilla (181).
Periodontal Disease: Two-thirds of the cohort (10/15) in the study displayed periodontal disease symptoms through horizontal bone loss combined with vertical defects as well as furcation involvement, primarily affecting molars with some anterior teeth also impacted.
Periapical Inflammatory Disease: Radiographic evidence of periapical inflammatory disease was observed in 80% (12/15). Some lesions communicated with the oral cavity or maxillary sinus in some cases, and subject 12 had one cyst-like lesion.
Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Abnormalities: Over half of the cohort (8/15) exhibited TMJ abnormalities, including osteophytes, periosteal bone reactions, bone destruction, and flattening of the condyle.
Other Findings: Pathological conditions included carious lesions (27%), retained roots (233), alveolar bone destruction (181, 218), alveolar crest resorption (126), and chronic sinusitis (20%). Anatomical anomalies included a three-rooted premolar (204) and tori palatini (12). PM fractures and bone debris on CT imaging made some cases unidentifiable.
The preliminary study examined Swedish Viking settlement remains through CT scans bone analysis and visual inspection to discover potential health conditions during the early Christian period. Limited by its small participant number, this study demonstrates that CT scanning techniques provide essential non-invasive information that enhances other analysis methods in archaeology. Additional studies with comparable materials should be conducted to improve knowledge about this methodology.
References: Bertilsson C, Borg E, Vretemark M, et al. Findings from computed tomography examinations of Viking age skulls. BDJ Open. 2025;11:18. doi:10.1038/s41405-025-00309-9
