D. Diogo de Sousa Archeology Museum
A figurine from the 2nd century had characteristics that were strange to the artistic style of the time. It turned out to be an important discovery.
During archaeological excavations at Monte da Catividade, in Braga, a figurine was discovered dating from the 2nd century with intriguing facial featuresdescribes the , including exophthalmos (protruding eyes), exotropia (eye deviation) and facial asymmetry.
The mystery then raised another case of iconodiagnosisthat is, the discovery of diseases that existed in other times with the help of artistic objects.
This statue from the Ancient Roman period would have, according to what was published last December in the magazine Portuguese Anthropology, crouzon syndromea form of craniofacial dysostosis.
This genetic disease, caused by a mutation, results in premature closure of cranial sutures and facial deformities.
According to experts, the artist was quite skilled in representing the physical characteristics of the disease.
D. Diogo de Sousa Archeology Museum
Researchers also suggest that the statue may represent a priestesspossibly chosen for its physical characteristics under the influence of shamanic (spiritist) traditions that saw deformities as divine marks.
They also associated the statue, which holds a snake coiled around a staff, with goddess of healththe Roman equivalent of the Greek Hygieia, which suggests a connection to health and community protection cults in Bracara Augusta (old name of Braga).
There are other historical cases of Crouzon syndrome, but they are very rare. There are characteristics of this disease descriptions of the pharaoh Tutankhamun or from Periclesthe statesman of Athens.
These artistic representations reflect human reactions to inexplicable phenomena, explains the researcher Joseph Warkanywhich adds that Bracara Augusta is an exceptional example of the contribution of art to the history of medicine.
The statuette is in D. Diogo de Sousa Archeology Museum.
