Echoes of Privilege: A Mummified Case of DISH From 18th-Century Portugal

The mummified remains of a middle-aged adult male were discovered in the Church of Saint Joseph of the Carpenters in Lisbon, Portugal. Likely dating to the 18th century, the body was naturally mummified, richly clothed, and buried within a church—an honor typically reserved for elite individuals. Radiographic analysis revealed classic signs of Diffuse Idiopathic Skeletal Hyperostosis (DISH), a condition marked by flowing ossification along thoracic vertebrae commonly described as having a candlewax appearance. Although DISH has often been discussed in association with wealth and lifestyle factors, current evidence emphasizes its multifactorial nature, involving biological, metabolic, genetic, and possibly mechanical components. Additional findings included early osteoarthritis, dental wear, trauma, and residual Harris lines, suggesting past physiological stress during youth. The individual's preserved garments, postmortem care, and church burial reinforce interpretations of elevated social standing. However, while the presence of DISH in this individual coincides with other markers of privilege, it should not be regarded as an exclusive indicator of elite status but rather as a reflection of intersecting intrinsic and extrinsic factors influencing health. This case exemplifies how diseases like DISH can inform on health, inequality, and embodiment in historical populations. Therefore, DISH is interpreted here as both a biological condition and a culturally situated manifestation within the broader context of early modern European society.