Book contents
- The Bioarchaeology of Cardiovascular Disease
- Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology
- The Bioarchaeology of Cardiovascular Disease
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Contributors
- Foreword
- Acknowledgements
- 1 The Bioarchaeology of Cardiovascular Disease
- 2 Exploring the Sources of Indirect Evidence for Cardiovascular Disease in Bioarchaeology
- Part I Evidence from Mummified Tissues
- 3 Atherosclerosis, Mummies and Histological Analysis
- 4 Computed Tomography Evidence of Atherosclerosis in Ancient Mummies
- 5 The Genetic Background of Atherosclerosis in Ancient Mummies
- 6 Cardiovascular Disease in Nile Valley Mummies
- 7 Atherosclerosis among the Elites
- Part II Cardiovascular Diseases Associated with Human Skeletal Remains
- Part III Contemporary Perspectives
- Index
- References
5 - The Genetic Background of Atherosclerosis in Ancient Mummies
from Part I - Evidence from Mummified Tissues
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 March 2023
- The Bioarchaeology of Cardiovascular Disease
- Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology
- The Bioarchaeology of Cardiovascular Disease
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Contributors
- Foreword
- Acknowledgements
- 1 The Bioarchaeology of Cardiovascular Disease
- 2 Exploring the Sources of Indirect Evidence for Cardiovascular Disease in Bioarchaeology
- Part I Evidence from Mummified Tissues
- 3 Atherosclerosis, Mummies and Histological Analysis
- 4 Computed Tomography Evidence of Atherosclerosis in Ancient Mummies
- 5 The Genetic Background of Atherosclerosis in Ancient Mummies
- 6 Cardiovascular Disease in Nile Valley Mummies
- 7 Atherosclerosis among the Elites
- Part II Cardiovascular Diseases Associated with Human Skeletal Remains
- Part III Contemporary Perspectives
- Index
- References
Summary
This chapter aims to outline current knowledge concerning the genetic background of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and its study in ancient human remains. This is demonstrated by the application of a palaeogenetic analysis to the mummy of the Tyrolean Iceman, who presented with both arterial calcifications and a strong genetic predisposition for heart disease. Further discussion highlights how the study of ancient humans can provide new insights into the genetic background of CVD and its intersection with risk factors related to lifestyle.
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- Information
- The Bioarchaeology of Cardiovascular Disease , pp. 81 - 97Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2023