A Cross-Disciplinary Study of Facial Asymmetry in a Pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican Sculpture
Background/Historical Perspective
Facial asymmetry has been recognized and represented in Mesoamerican and South American pre-Hispanic cultures.
Summary
This study aims to describe and contextualize an ancient pre-Hispanic stone face carving from the Early Postclassic Period (1200–1500 AD) discovered during excavations for the construction of what is now the National Rehabilitation Institute in Mexico City. The remarkable facial asymmetry of the artifact, suggesting facial paralysis, is a focal point for an interdisciplinary study combining bioarchaeology, anthropology, paleopathology, and rheumatology.
Conclusions
Although most causes of facial paralysis are idiopathic and pre-Hispanic Mesoamerican populations may have had a higher incidence of infections that could be the leading triggering cause, the potential connection between facial paralysis and rheumatic diseases in pre-Hispanic or pre-Columbian contexts is still a topic of ongoing investigation. This task remains highly relevant for rheumatologists who have traced the history and evolution of rheumatic diseases.
Future Research
To understand the potential causes of disabilities in ancient societies, a comprehensive, holistic, and transdisciplinary approach is needed, including evidence-based reviews to analyze the relationship between facial paralysis and rheumatic diseases.
