Infectious Diseases Now· 2026Q2
Meningeal inflammation (Serpens endocrania) and intrathoracic chronic disease in 1st century A.D. Roman Near-East (Qumran): From paleopathology to clinical practice
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- 2026year
Short summary
Seven cases (13.46%) of Serpens endocrania, a condition linked to chronic respiratory disease, were found in 52 individuals from 1st century AD Qumran, a higher prevalence than in other ancient populations.
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Key points
- Seven cases of Serpens endocrania were identified in a sample of 52 individuals from ancient Qumran.
- The prevalence of Serpens endocrania was 13.46%, which is higher than observed in other ancient populations.
- Serpens endocrania is associated with chronic respiratory diseases, particularly tuberculosis.
- Silicosis or silico-tuberculosis due to silica dust inhalation is proposed as a possible cause for the high prevalence.
AI-generated from the title and abstract; the full text is not read.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Characterized by serpentine vascular impressions on the endocranial surface, Serpens endocrania is closely associated with chronic respiratory diseases, particularly tuberculosis. MATERIAL/METHOD: Located on the Dead Sea shores, the archaeological site of Qumran is classically associated with the Essenes, a Jewish religious community (1st century B.C. to 68 CE). Among 1200 burials, excavations in the cemetery uncovered the remains of 52 individuals. RESULTS: Among these 52 remains, we report seven cases of Serpens endocrania (i.e. 13.46% of the small sample), which is higher than that detected in other studies of ancient populations. DISCUSSION: We discuss the possible causes of such an unusually high proportion in ancient skeletal populations: exposure to infections (tuberculosis, and/or environmental factors). We propose silicosis (and/or silico-tuberculosis) as a possible differential diagnosis, taking into consideration the desert environment and, more specifically, prolonged inhalation of quartz/silica dust particles inducing chronic pulmonary inflammation and promoting additional infections.
The authors' abstract, as published at the source. Infectious Diseases Now, 2026 · DOI ↗
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