Palaeopathology in Mortuary Art: The Sepulchre of San Pedro de Osma in the Cathedral of Burgo de Osma, Thirteenth Century, Soria, Spain.

Artistic disciplines have become a source of knowledge in health and disease throughout history. There are pathological alterations present in many paintings and sculptures, but bas and high relief are scarce when talking about pathology in art. We performed a palaeopathological analysis of the individuals represented in the sarcophagus of Saint Pedro de Osma, Soria, Spain. It has long been believed that this religious man performed, during his lifetime, a series of miraculous healings. On the one side of the tomb there are 12 figures of disabled people. From the signs present, an attempt has been made to establish a differential diagnosis of the diseases represented. This paper provides insights on the diseases of the popular classes in Middle-ages in Central Spain. The representation of diseases in art, although lacking the accuracy of that found in human remains, could be useful for expanding our knowledge of pathologies.