JISC

‘Digitised Diseases’ will produce a web-searchable 3D record of chronic diseases that affect the skeleton using archaeological and historical exemplars from world-renowned collections housed in Bradford (Biological Anthropology Research Centre, University of Bradford) and London (Museum of London Archaeology and Royal College of Surgeons of England). These specialist collections contain specimens with pathological features from an era before effective therapy. Such a facility to observe untreated disease rarely occurs in modern clinical contexts. Beyond text books there are few training tools that can illustrate the progression of clinical conditions affecting the musculo-skeletal system to medical students, or osteologists.

The project will result in the Mass Digitisation of pathological type-specimens using textured 3D laser scans of skeletal elements, with associated clinical descriptions. These will be supported by digitised x-radiographs, and scanned historic medical drawings, accounts and photographs. In some instances pathological changes can be very localised and only certain bones or joint surfaces may be affected (e.g. gout). With other conditions the change may be more widely observed throughout the skeleton (e.g. metastatic cancer).

The traditional viewpoint is that there is no substitute for handling osteological material in training and research. Paradoxically, the skeletal elements that are most commonly studied are usually the most altered, often the most fragile, and ultimately the most prized. This project will therefore play a crucial role in conserving a resource that is otherwise under threat from handling attrition and will provide a sustainable resource which may serve as the primary record if the eventual reburial of archaeological material is required, an issue likely to increase due to practical limitations on long-term storage of large skeletal assemblages.

We will also trial innovations including the integration of 3D surface data with CT-scans of bone microstructure to produce animated cut-aways and fly-throughs where relevant to understanding the underlying bone change (e.g. osteoporosis). Together these digitised records integrated with clinical descriptions will make it easier and more effective to view, manipulate and safeguard these valuable type-specimens. Integration of this data with current clinical knowledge of the specific diseases will permit detailed understanding of the progression of the disease.