La necrópolis de Uceda: bioantropología de una población mudéjar

Resum

The study of ancient necropolises allows an approach to the knowledge of the populations of the past, their structure and composition, customs and trades, as well as being a valuable witness of health and illness in them. This doctoral thesis studies the Mudejar necropolis of Uceda (Guadalajara), dated between the 13th and 14th centuries. The remains of 122 individuals were recovered, with a moderate level of preservation. The population is notable for the greater presence of young adults, 44.26% of the total. Other demographic data such as sex and size were analysed and compared with other Medieval populations with similar characteristics. Genetic analysis of nine of the bodies indicates their probable European origin. Among the variables analysed, epicondylar width is shown to be the variable with the greatest capacity to discriminate sex. A study of the skeletal indices is carried out, with the most representative values in the postcranium. A fundamental part of the work is the palaeopathological analysis, which has highlighted pathologies of congenital, circulatory, haematological, articular, neoplastic, infectious or traumatic origin, highlighting cases such as Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, a case of epiphysiolysis, a case of plastic deformation of the forearm, as well as various congenital diseases reflecting the existing endogamy in this Mudejar minority group of the medieval population of Uceda.