Senem Turan OZDEMIR, Ilker ERCAN, Juan Alberto Sanchis GIMENO, Ibrahim SAHIN, Zejun XU, Ece Ercan STANCZAK, Arda UZUNOGLU
Van Medical Journal - 2026;33(4):479-486
Introduction: This study aimed to apply geometric morphometry to test the hypothesis that there are differences in glenoid cavity shape between late medieval soldiers of the Byzantine Empire (13th century) and present subjects who lived in the same area. Methods: A total of 54 scapulae were investigated: 21 belonged to Byzantine soldiers excavated in Nicaea (İznik) and 33 to the modern period. Six landmarks were defined on the ventral view of the glenoid cavity. Shape comparisons were performed using Procrustes analysis, and cluster analysis was used to classify the glenoid cavities. Results: No significant difference was observed in the mean shapes of the right scapular glenoid cavity between the Byzantine and present periods (p=0.723). However, the mean shapes of the left glenoid cavity were found to differ according to period (p=0.003). In cluster analysis, the distribution of periods did not differ for the right side (p=0.689), whereas a marginally significant difference was observed for the left side (p=0.078). Conclusion: There is no difference in glenoid cavity shape between modern humans and Byzantine soldiers on the right side, but there is a difference on the left side, which may be related to the use of heavy weapons such as shields.
