High-Resolution Peripheral Quantitative Computed Tomography (HR-pQCT) as a new Method for Human Osteoarcheology

Abstract

In (pre)historic human bones, analysis of bone density and microstructure may be useful for anthropological research to assess skeletal health as well as physical fitness and handedness. Physical strain between arms and legs can be compared. HR-pQCT may provide information on such parameters, but has not yet been used in (pre)historic bones without soft tissue and bone marrow. Three macroscopically intact skeletons of young persons who died ca. 120–200 years ago at an age of approximately 20 years could be identified in the medico-historical anatomical collection in Marburg/Germany. Distal radii und tibiae were measured using HR-pQCT (XtremeCT, Scanco Medical) and analyzed with the standard evaluation script used for patients in clinical routine. We analyzed the quality of the images of the bones in comparison to two healthy living person of the same age group and investigated for which quantitative parameters plausible results could be calculated. The quality of the images was completely comparable between the historical bones and those of young living persons. Calculation of trabecular number, cortical thickness and cortical bone density revealed plausible results comparable to young living persons (77.5±26.9% vs. 84.4±28.3% of sex-related mean for persons 20–29 years old; n.s. [pooled data]). Calculation of trabecular bone volume / tissue volume and trabecular thickness, however, revealed unplausible results (−29.1±24.1% vs. 104.9±11.7; p<0.001). In conclusion, HR-pQCT generates images of historical bones in good quality. Calculation of trabecular number, cortical thickness, and cortical bone density reveals plausible results, whereas this is not the case for trabecular bone volume/tissue volume and trabecular thickness. This can be explained by the calculation method for these bone parameters, which is affected by the absence of soft tissue and bone marrow.

Zusammenfassung

Die Analyse der Knochendichte und -mikrostruktur (prä)historischer menschlicher Knochen kann Informationen zu Knochengesundheit, körperlicher Fitness, Belastung und Händigkeit erbringen. Die Eignung der HR-pQCT zur Untersuchung von (prä)historischen Knochen ohne Knochenmark und Weichteile wird hier fallbasiert untersucht. Drei makroskopisch intakte Skelette junger Personen, die vor ca. 120–200 Jahren im Alter von etwa 20 Jahren verstarben, wurden in der medizinhistorischen Sammlung in Marburg identifiziert. Distale Radii und Tibiae wurden mittels HR-pQCT (XtremeCT, Scanco Medical) unter Verwendung der Standardsoftware vermessen. Die Qualität der Bilder der Knochen wurde mit derjenigen zweier gesunder Personen gleichen Alters verglichen, es wurde geprüft, zu welchen quantitativen Parametern plausible Ergebnisse berechnet werden konnten. Die Qualität der Bildgebung zeigte sich vergleichbar. Die Berechnung der Parameter “trabecular number”, “cortical thickness” und “cortical bone density” ergab plausible Ergebnisse (77,5±26,9% vs. 84,4±28,3% des geschlechtsbezogenen Mittelwertes [20–29 Jahre; zusammengefasste Daten]). Unplausible Befunde ergaben sich für “trabecular bone volume / tissue volume” und “trabecular thickness” (−29,1±24,1% vs. 104,9±11,7; p<0,001). HR-pQCT erzeugt Bilder historischer Knochen in guter Qualität und ermöglicht die Berechnung der Parameter “trabecular number”, “cortical thickness” und “cortical bone density”. Dies ist nicht der Fall für “trabecular bone volume / tissue volume” und “trabecular thickness”, zu erklären durch das Fehlen von Weichteilen und Knochenmark.

Keywords

osteoarcheology - bone density - computed tomography - bone structure - Imaging

Schlüsselwörter

Osteoarchäologie - Knochendichte - Computertomographie - Knochenstruktur - Bildgebung

Publication History

Received: 23 August 2025

Accepted: 15 September 2025

Article published online:
23 October 2025

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