Experience of bioarchaeological reconstruction of health status and professional specialization of inhabitants in medieval Yaroslavl (buried individual no. 2 from grave 76)

Modern studies in bioarchaeology include a comprehensive contextual examination of human remains coming from archaeological excavations. This approachcombines a traditional population approach and a causal study of the most valuable specific finds. This paper presents results of a comprehensive archaeological and anthropological study of remains of a human found during the excavations of medieval Yaroslavloccupation layers. The individual became a victim of tragic events that occurred in 1238,his body was thrown into sanitary grave No. 76. Judging by data of archaeology, morphology, paleopathology, the individual turned out to be an unusual person. In his childhoodthis person suffered a lot of hardships, which was reflected in structural changes of histeeth and bones as well as limited body length. The structure of the postcranial skeletonreflects extremely intensive left arm workload. He limped because of polyarthritis, whichaffected the joints of his left foot most. The data of X-ray fluorescence analysis demonstrate the presence of too high concentrations of copper as well as arsenic or lead in thebone tissue of his left forearm. It is taken to mean that, most likely, these anthropologicalremnants are the remains of a craftsman who worked with metals and their alloys for anumber of years, probably, a jeweler. The man was an experienced rider, which is confirmed by specific features of his skeleton