Analysis of periosteal lesions from commingled human remains at the Xagħra Circle hypogeum reveals the first case of probable scurvy from Neolithic Malta

Objectives Palaeopathological analysis is key for characterising population health at the individual level and across large assemblages but rarely exploited to unite remains of disarticulated individuals. This study explores potential identification through differential diagnosis periosteal lesions in a commingled deposit, both ascertain number individuals represented provide diagnosis. Materials Methods The late Neolithic Xagħra Circle hypogeum on Gozo contains more than 800 individuals, most which were transformed collective assemblage. Across excavated population, pathological observations are strikingly low. In one specific 1 × 1-m area single stratigraphic context, fragmented cranial post-cranial non-adult bones identified that displayed new bone formation. To aid diagnosis, macroscopic analysis, taphonomic micro-computed tomography (μCT) imaging integrated. Results approach, when combined with osteobiographical analyses, reveals elements likely derive from individual, young child, who presents probable case scurvy. micronutrient co-morbidities explored, without further microscopic it cannot be determined if this also experienced iron-deficiency anaemia and/or rickets. Discussion context Mediterranean Europe later prehistory, reported cases scurvy currently low often reveal periods environmental instability resource insufficiency. Our finding 3rd millennium BC Malta contributes developing picture an increasingly unstable palaeoenvironment declining time, although may indicate poor childhood within broader context.