What Medieval Bones Reveal

Tuberculosis and leprosy left skeletal traces – but not distinct burial patterns

March 27, 2026
2 min

The Pathologist

Share

An examination of skeletal remains from medieval Danish cemeteries reveals a strong correlation between burial locations and social status rather than the presence of infectious diseases like leprosy and tuberculosis. The analysis of 939 adult skeletons from various sites (1050-1536 AD) found no significant differentiation in burial practices based on disease status. While leprosy patients were largely absent from urban cemeteries, tuberculosis cases were dispersed across both urban and rural settings, suggesting that social hierarchies influenced burial placement more than health conditions.