Bones from shipwreck suggest right- or left-handedness could affect how clavicle chemistry changes with age
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A new study of human skeletal remains from the wreck of the 16th century English warship "Mary Rose" suggests that whether a person is right- versus left-handed may influence how their clavicle bone chemistry changes as they age. Dr. Sheona Shankland of Lancaster University, U.K., and colleagues present these findings in the open-access journal PLOS ONE on October 30, 2024.
The Mary Rose was part of the Tudor navy during Henry VIII's reign. On July 19, 1545, it sank while engaging French ships in the Battle of the Solent. Excavated in the late 20th century, the ship's artifacts and the crew's skeletal remains were notably well preserved, allowing for extensive research into the belongings, appearance, and health of the crew members.
Now, Dr. Shankland and colleagues contribute new insights into the biology of 12 men aged 13 to 40 who sank with the ship. This work explored how the chemistry of bone might adjust in response to physical activity and aging, so a person's bone chemistry may hold clues about their lifestyle.
