--- title: "Bronze Age Man May Have Died from Urinary Tract Infection" url: https://newscentral.site/bronze-age-man-may-have-died-from-urinary-tract-infection/ language: en publisher: "News Central Site" section: "Science" published: 2026-11-03T11:00:00.000Z updated: 2026-11-04T09:35:24.412Z id: 89bbc490-9deb-440e-930e-d2cf5103be1d source: "Live Science https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/5-300-year-old-kidney-stone-the-size-of-a-grape-found-in-bronze-age-mans-burial-near-black-sea" attribution: "Link to https://newscentral.site/bronze-age-man-may-have-died-from-urinary-tract-infection/ and name News Central Site when you quote or summarize this story." --- # Bronze Age Man May Have Died from Urinary Tract Infection A team of archaeologists has uncovered evidence that suggests a Bronze Age man buried near the Black Sea may have died from complications related to a long-standing urinary tract infection over 5,300 years ago. A team of archaeologists has uncovered evidence that a Bronze Age man buried near the Black Sea may have died from complications related to a long-standing urinary tract infection over 5,300 years ago. The discovery was made in an Early Bronze Age burial site in southwestern Russia's Stavropol Upland region. The excavation revealed a stone-like object consistent with a kidney or bladder stone, approximately the size of a grape. According to study lead author Natalia Berezina, an anthropologist at Lomonosov Moscow State University in Russia, the man likely suffered from a chronic urogenital infection throughout his life. The researchers found this unusual object during laboratory analysis after excavating the skeleton. The burial site was part of a kurgan cemetery, a traditional ancient steppe funeral practice that involved constructing large mounds over graves. The skeleton, estimated to be around 40 years old at the time of death, was discovered in a catacomb within the mound, along with a flint arrowhead near the man's pelvis. The tiny object, measuring about 1 centimeter in diameter, was found embedded in the Bronze Age man's pelvis. A closer examination revealed a small crack that exposed its internal structure, which resembled crystals. To determine the composition of this mysterious stone, researchers employed several advanced analytical techniques. X-ray fluorescence analysis showed that it primarily consisted of calcium and phosphorus, while X-ray powder diffraction analysis helped identify the crystal structures present within. These findings led to the discovery of whitlockite, a rare mineral associated with kidney, bladder, and prostate stones. Whitlockite is often linked to bacterial infections in the human body, suggesting that the man had a chronic infection that may have caused the stone to form. The researchers concluded that the most likely explanation for the presence of this tiny stone was a renal stone formed as a result of a chronic upper urinary tract infection. The presence of a tiny kidney stone within the Bronze Age man's body raises questions about his health and potential causes of death. The researchers suggest that chronic or recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) may have led to the formation of the stone. Chronic UTIs can cause significant changes in urine composition, making it more likely for minerals to accumulate and form stones. This process is a known risk factor for kidney stone development. The exact reasons behind the man's UTI issues remain unclear, as do their potential impact on his overall health. The location of the stone within the man's body at the time of death is also uncertain. Kidney stones can sometimes travel to the bladder, and it's possible that the stone was lodged in one of the two long tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder. If this were the case, it could have caused a range of serious complications. If the stone had obstructed the ureter, it may have led to kidney swelling, secondary infection or sepsis - all potentially fatal conditions prior to the invention of antibiotics. Alternatively, the stone's presence could be linked to other health issues, such as bacterial infections of the prostate gland or even sexually transmitted infections. The researchers' analysis suggests that the man was likely a nomad who frequently moved within his Early Bronze Age steppe society. His robust musculature indicates he led an active life, but his bones also reveal signs of degenerative joint disease in various parts of his body, including his spine, shoulders, hips, hands and feet. In addition to these health issues, the man's skeleton shows evidence of multiple healed fractures, including ones in his right shoulder, ribs and forearm, which would have caused significant pain and discomfort. The presence of a urinary tract stone, likely causing chronic urogenital infections, further highlights the painful and debilitating nature of the man's life. --- Source: [Live Science](https://www.livescience.com/archaeology/5-300-year-old-kidney-stone-the-size-of-a-grape-found-in-bronze-age-mans-burial-near-black-sea) Published by News Central Site: https://newscentral.site/bronze-age-man-may-have-died-from-urinary-tract-infection/