[Comparative studies on the frequency of occurrence of degenerative spinal changes in neolithic, medieval and modern man].

105 judgeable spinal columns of neolithic cultures and 11 skeletons from the 11th and 12th century were examined for the presence spondylotic and spondylarthrotic changes of the spinal column taking into consideration the intensity and frequency of affection. With nearly the same affection per individual the frequency of affection in the neolithic population showed significantly lower values with relatively more frequent changes of the cervical vertebral column of the males and greater changes of the lumbar vertebral column in females. The neolithic and medieval group possess a different dependence on age. Apart from this, the medieval group shows an anticipation of the appearance of degenerative changes by about ten years compared with examinations from modern times. The reasons of these differences are discussed.