Testing the Digital Atlas of Ancient Rare Diseases (DAARD) using a new case of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease from Early Byzantine (500–700 CE) Olympia, Greece

A new case of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease (LCPD) from Early Byzantine Olympia, Greece (500–700 CE), provides the first documented instance of this rare condition in Greece. The discovery was facilitated by the Digital Atlas of Ancient Rare Diseases (DAARD), which helped diagnose and contextualize the case alongside 42 other archaeological LCPD cases, predominantly from Europe. The individual, likely a male aged 30–40 years, exhibited bilateral hip joint pathology consistent with LCPD, without additional skeletal abnormalities. DAARD's database revealed a trend toward male prevalence and unilateral hip involvement in ancient cases. This study demonstrates the potential of DAARD to advance research beyond isolated case studies, offering broader insights into the historical patterns of rare diseases. Future expansion of the database could further enhance its utility for paleopathological analysis.

Ahlbrecht, Y., Pilz, O., & Gresky, J. (2024). Testing the Digital Atlas of Ancient Rare Diseases (DAARD) using a new case of Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease from Early Byzantine (500–700 CE) Olympia, Greece. International Journal of Paleopathology, 46, 62–73. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpp.2024.07.002