A large supernumerary bone at the bregma and metopism co-occurring in the skull of an ancient Roman in Serbia
Abstract
An unusual anatomical variation was observed on a skull excavated at Lanište (Raška district, Serbia), a Roman necropolis dating back to the second half of the 4th century AD. The skull of an adult male showed a remarkably large supernumerary bone at the bregma co-occurring with a continuous persistent metopic suture. Few similar cases have been reported in scientific literature. We describe the case and discuss possible mechanisms and underlying causes, including pathological conditions.
Keywords:
Roman necropolis / metopism / bregmatic bone / 4th century ADSource:
Archives of Biological Sciences, 2013, 65, 4, 1637-1643Publisher:
- Srpsko biološko društvo, Beograd, i dr.
Funding / projects:
- Romanization, urbanization and transformation of urban centres of civil, military and residential character in Roman provinces on territory of Serbia (RS-177007)
- Urbanisation Processes and Development of Mediaeval Society (RS-177021)
DOI: 10.2298/ABS1304637R
ISSN: 0354-4664