Special Exhibition at Yeungnam University Reveals Diseases from 1500-Year-Old Human Bones...

Yeungnam University (President Choi Oechul) is holding a special exhibition titled "Diseases of Ancient People Seen Through Human Bones," which explains the pathological features found in the bones of ancient people who lived in Gyeongsan.

Hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and organized by the Korean University Museum Association, this special exhibition is part of the "2023 University Museum Promotion Support Project" being promoted by the Yeungnam University Museum. The exhibition is open for viewing on weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from the 4th of this month until November 30th in the special exhibition hall on the 2nd floor of the Yeungnam University Museum. It is closed on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays.

Special Exhibition "Diseases of Ancient People Seen Through Human Bones" held at Yeungnam University Museum.

The Yeungnam University Museum has been leading excavations and investigations of the Imdang-dong and Joyoung-dong burial mounds in Gyeongsan since 1982. Through these excavations, more than 259 ancient human skeletons of Gyeongsan people were secured from the Imdang site.

This exhibition introduces the findings related to diseases of ancient people found in the skeletons, based on the biological (morphological) anthropological analysis conducted mainly during the "Apdokguk Cultural Heritage Research and Utilization Project" Season 1 period (2019?2023).

Humans experience various ailments throughout their lives, ranging from minor abrasions to colds, fractures, and sometimes life-threatening serious diseases. Some of these diseases leave traces on the bones.

From the Imdang skeletons, it is possible to identify the causes, patterns, and presence of diseases. Diseases occurring during growth and development, as well as degenerative joint diseases appearing in adulthood, can be confirmed. Additionally, dental diseases such as cavities and tooth loss, as well as signs of healed fractures, can be observed. Various other diseases can also be explored through the exhibition.

A representative from Yeungnam University stated, "From the bones of people who lived about 1,500 years ago at the Imdang site of Apdokguk in Gyeongsan, we can learn what kinds of diseases they suffered from. Traces of nutritional deficiencies, chronic back pain, and cavities are all evident in the bones."

Lee Eun-jung, director of the Yeungnam University Museum, said, "The Imdang site is considered one of the important sites in Korean archaeology, having produced numerous research achievements through more than 20 excavations over 40 years since the first excavation by Yeungnam University Museum in 1982. This exhibition offers a great opportunity to confirm the diseases of ancient Gyeongsan people and to glimpse their way of life through the traces found in the Imdang skeletons."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.