Caring for the sick in a medieval rural community: A study based on paleopathological and archaeological data from Medieval Rus'

Objective: This research seeks to identify the way the sick were treated in the 14th-15th centuries АD in a rural community located close to the medieval urban centre of Suzdal in central medieval Russia MATERIALS: Skeletons of 26 humans were examined from the cemetery associated with the rural settlement of Mikhali 3/Mininskoe (central Russia) (14th-15th centuries A.D.) METHODS: Archaeological study, paleodemographic analysis, description of physiological stress markers, stature reconstruction, X-ray, 3D scan.

Results: The remains comprised of 11 children, 11 adult females and 4 adult males. Numerous stress markers, as well as indicators of chronic disease and low levels of sexual dimorphism were noted suggesting a hard life and low social position. However, about 20% of adults lived to more than 40 years old and the archaeological artifacts - markers of prosperity -suggests high living standards of the majority of the inhabitants.

Conclusions: Among the possible explanations of the paradox of poor health but ample access to resources is well-developed supportive care practice within the community.

Significance: A combination of bioarchaeological and archaeological studies of a medieval settlement and cemetery of Mikhali 3 offers information about medieval attitude towards the sick.

Limitations: Few sites had been analyzed using a complex approach.

Suggestions for further research: Combination of bioarchaeological and archaeological sources for estimation of life quality of medieval communities and clarification of their meaning of 'life quality'.