Tuberculosis phenomenon in Ancient Anatolian societies

Throughout human history, many infectious diseases caused by microorganisms have been seen in the world, another of which is tuberculosis. Mycobacterium tuberculosis basili has led to tuberculosis infection, leading to many people getting sick and dying throughout history. Tuberculosis, an infectious disease, has reached the present day by increasing the rate of its spread over every passing period since people settled in the Neolithic period. Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacillus is most commonly transmitted to humans through the respiratory tract and spreads more easily in public living environments due to its ability to hang in the air. Although the main factor of the disease is tuberculosis bacillus, the way of life of individuals can cause the appearance of the disease. As a result of weakening of the immune system caused by poor feeding conditions, war, bad weather runs, prolonged exposure to humidity, etc., the disease occurs more easily .Tuberculosis bacillus. in some cases it can be hidden in the body for many years and can cause disease years later. Paleopathology is of great importance in the study of the lifestyles of individuals living in past societies. Paleopathological and paleoepidemiological studies are needed to determine the development levels of societies and to analyze the lifestyles of individuals living in society.When we look at the literature in our country and in the world, it is understood that paleopathological studies on tuberculosis are not yet at the desired level. The studies carried out in anatolian geography, which has hosted many societies, are very important in terms of examining past societies, being able to compare with the present, identifying differences and contributing to history. In this context, it is thought that our study is very important for better examination of the living conditions of societies and a better understanding of tuberculosis disease. In this study, individuals excavated in archaeological and anthropological excavations in the past years were examined and paleodemographic data taken from the relevant literatures were processed and aggregated. As a result of the study, it was observed that individuals have Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection due to poor living conditions and some individuals may die due to this infection. In this context, traces of Tuberculosis infection were found in 1 in the Büyük Saray Eskicezaevi Society, 2 in the Hakkari Erken Demir Çağı Society, 2 in the Kadikalesi Society, 2 in the Karagunduz Society, 2 in the Konstantin and Helena Kilisesi Society, 1 in the Nif Olympus Society, 3 in the Tasmasor Society and 1 in the Van Kalesi Society.