Bones from Mary Rose shipwreck reveal Tudor sailors' lives and health impacts

Bones from the Mary Rose shipwreck, which sank in 1545, provide new insights into the lives of Tudor sailors and how their work affected their bone chemistry. Researchers analyzed collarbones from 12 crew members to understand aging and handedness. The study found that the crew favored their right hands, impacting the chemistry of their collarbones. This suggests that handedness influences fracture risk, as individuals often use their dominant hand to break falls, leading to clavicle injuries. The research, published in PLOS One, highlights the connection between historical occupations and modern medical insights. Future studies will focus on the spines of archers to explore how their unique motions affected their bone structure.