Iron deficiency anemia can develop from a lack of iron in the diet, especially from meats, or from non-dietary factors like diseases. The Roman diet of bread, olive oil, wine and some fish could have caused anemia. Skeletal changes like cribra orbitalia on the eye orbits and porotic hyperostosis on the skull can result from the body's response to anemia and allow researchers to study the health and nutrition of past populations.

1. Anemia Nicole Geske Necropolis Session 4

2. Iron Deficiency Anemia Developed from a lack of protein, specifically from meat. The efficiency of dietary absorption of iron is influenced by the foods consumed. Iron absorption may be inhibited by: Phytates, which are present in many nuts and cereals. Plant proteins. Tannates, which are found in tea and coffee.

3. Iron Deficiency Anemia Also caused from non-dietary factors, such as low birth weights and parasites. As well as from genetic diseases, such as sickle cell anemia. Skeletal changes are usually due to severe anemia and a variety of these factors combined.

4. Prevalence in the Roman Empire In Roman populations, the diet was characterized by bread, olive oil and wine. Fish was consumed on the island. There is a possibility of seeing anemia in Roman period skeletal remains.

5. Importance Can help reconstruct health and nutrition of the population. With other markers, can help determine diet.

6. Skeletal Changes Result from the production in red blood cells in response to the anemia. Appears as tiny holes on the surface of the bone. Cribra obitalia – affecting the eye orbits. Porotic hyperostosis – generalized, affects the cranial vault.

7. Cribra Orbitalia Develops during infancy, usually fades in adulthood. Early manifestation of anemia. Thickening of the orbital roofs. Replacement of compact bone with diploic (spongy) bone.

8. Porotic Hyperostosis General syndrome to describe the pathology on the cranial vault.

9. Conclusions Signs of anemia can be seen on the skeleton. Allow us to reconstruct health and nutrition of a population.