Eastern Roman Mounted Archers and Extraordinary Medico-Surgical Interventions at Paliokastro in Thasos Island during the ProtoByzantine Period: The Historical and Medical History Records and the Archaeo-Anthropological Evidence

Cover
Title Page
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Contents
List of Figures and Tables
	Figure 1.  Thasos island in a regional map of the Eastern Roman Empire, rendering by Argie Agelarakis.
	Figure 2. Map of Thasos island, with the location of its capital city Limenas, its villages and settlements, and the location of Paliokastro (see arrow) in the region of Rachoni village, rendering by Argie Agelarakis.
	Figure 3. Seaward view of Rachoni region and location of Paliokastro site.
	Figure 4. Field of view just above the olive groves of Rachoni village, at a lower elevation than the site of Paliokastro.
	Figure 5. Uncovering the slab stones from the graves within the naiskos’ floor.
	Figure 6. The four graves within the naiskos’ floor.
	Figure 7. North, long, wall of grave No. 2.
	Figure 8. Pessokranon, decorative architectural component of naiskos.
	Figure 9. Thasos archaeological Museum laboratory; Adelphi student assistants during the skeletal analysis.
	Table 1. Basic archaeological proveniences and demographic profile of Paliokastro population sample.
	Figure 10. Anthropological remains in situ.
	Figure 11. Sample case on dental anthropology.
	Figure 12. Colles fracture healed, palaeopathological manifestations, and matters of skeletal preservation.
	Figure 13. Anterior view of bilateral tibial diaphyseal healed fractures.
	Figure 14. Length of tibial callus on its anterior crest.
	Figure 15. X-ray imaging of bilateral healed tibial fractures with corresponding loci of the skeletal samples.
	Figure 16. X-ray imaging of bilateral healed tibial fractures focusing on the right tibial callus formation.
	Figure 17. Degrees of bilateral tibial diaphyseal posterior angulation on the sagittal plane.
	Figure 18. Active, in the healing process, and healed periosteal tibial diaphyseal reactions.
	Figure 19. Fibular diaphysis showing manifestations of infectious complications.
	Figure 20. Bilateral fibular diaphyseal infectious complications, with healed fracture locus (red arrows).
	Figure 21. Map of the northern Aegean shores and mainland regional to Thasos island [Excerpt from Weigel, C., (1720), Descriptio Orbis Antique, XLIV Tabulis, Graeciae Septentrionalis Pars, Nuremberg]: (1) Thasos island, (2) Ulpia Topirus (Topirus), (3) An
	Figure 22. Ectocranial left latero-posterior view of cranial component showing surgical intervention.
	Figure 23. Ectocranial view of palaeopathological specimen: a) red arrow points to orifice on the mastoid process, and b) surgical preparation dimensions peripheral to trephination.
	Figure 24. Cranial palaeopathological specimen with dimensions of two ectocranial loci showing surgical interventions.
	Figure 25. Cranial palaeopathological specimen showing surgical interventions, with dimensions of trephined locus.
	Figure 26. X-ray imaging of cranial palaeopathological specimen with samples of relevant identifiers.
	Figure 27. Close up endocranial view of cranial palaeopathological specimen.
	Figure 28. Right frontal bone fragment showing palaeopathological changes within the orbital roof.
Introduction
The archaeological site, finds, relative dating, project overview
The anthropological record and aspects of burial practices
Analysis of Anthropological Material
	Dental Anthropology
	Reconstructions of ante mortem kinetics indicative of habitual/occupational tasks
	Palaeopathology of trauma cases and the footprint of an experienced physician-surgeon
	Precedents in early Greek, and Roman medical history for the treatment on limb fractures
	Palaeopathological assessments of infectious complications
	About the physician-surgeon, the Ιητρείον, and the context of Paliokastro
Taphonomy and Skeletal Preservation
Paliokastro (the old fort) and the aim for the prosopography of its female and male riders
Historical references on the Roman army and the ProtoByzantine mounted archer/lancer
Mounted archers of Paliokastro
Reflections on archery, and the type and capacity of bows and arrows used by the Roman mounted archer in battle versus these of the ‘barbarian’ enemies
Historical references on Roman enemies and their invasions in the region of Thasos: Antae, Avars, Bulgars, Huns, Sclaveni, Kutrigurs
Historical references on barbarian raids and their consequences in Thrace and Macedonia
Towards a chronology of events for the harassment of Thasos by enemy incursions
Archaeological evidence of catastrophic events in Thasos during the ProtoByzantine period
Aiming towards concluding remarks on the ProtoByzantine ‘Paliokastrétes’
The case study of the Wounded Caballarius’ head/neck pathology, the ways of the cranial surgery and trephination, and few palaeopathological reflections
Acknowledgements