A tale of two cities: A comparison of urban and rural trauma in Medieval Denmark

Objective: This study explores the differences in frequency and type of trauma found in two Medieval cemeteries in Denmark, as well as the cultural and community implications of those differences. Materials: We examined 235 skeletons from the cemetery at Tjaerby (rural) and 170 skeletons from the cemetery at Randers (urban) for trauma from the Medieval period in Denmark, 1050 to 1536 CE. Methods: Trauma was assessed through macroscopic examination and odds ratio and relative risk assessments were run to assess the difference in trauma. Results: There was no significant difference in the presence of trauma between the rural and urban cemeteries or between males and females. There were some significant differences in relative risk for trauma between the two cemeteries. Conclusions: The division and variation in trauma between the two cemeteries is most likely related to differences in economy and occupation. Significance: There are relatively few studies that examine the difference in inherent risk of trauma between rural and urban Medieval communities, especially in Denmark. This research also adds to the growing body of literature in paleopathology that uses epidemiology to explore the parallels between patterns of trauma and community lifeways. Limitations: The cemeteries are approximately 5 km distance from each other so similarities in the sample could be a result of location. Suggestions for further research: A wider sample of Medieval cemeteries in Denmark needs be added to this analysis to provide a more complete picture of trauma patterns during this time period.