Osteologists have estimated that LL11 was about 35-55 years old when she died. Her skeleton shows signs of paralysis on the left side (a condition called hemiplegia). 

 

The teeth on the left side of LL11’s jaw are less worn and have more dental calculus than those on her right, so she may have had difficulty chewing on her left side.

 

​​​Her left arm shows severe thinning and no visible muscle attachment sites, so it was likely completely paralysed. Her left leg is smaller than her right leg but the difference is not as extreme as in her arms. This suggests that LL11 managed to use her left leg when walking, which kept the bone from thinning like it did in her left arm. The leg was probably unstable though, and she may have dislocated her left knee repeatedly because of weakened or paralysed quadriceps muscles in her thigh.

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​​​​​Just as people today use mobility aids, LL11 may have used a walking stick or crutch and a leg brace to help her walk and prevent further injury. She may have braced her left leg to keep it straight and could have walked with a swinging gait. Her right hand bones have large muscle attachments and ridges, and her right shoulder shows signs of joint disease and excessive use. This suggests she would have used her right arm for everyday tasks and to hold a mobility aid. 

 

​What caused LL11’s hemiplegia? Our first clue comes from the length of the limb bones. Because her left arm and leg are 1-2cm shorter than those on her right side, we can tell that her condition started during childhood, when her bones were still growing. LL11 also has other conditions like scoliosis and compression fractures in her lower spine that might be associated with her hemiplegia. These findings can help osteologists figure out the condition she lived with. 

 

A few conditions could cause paralysis or muscle weakness in childhood, but the most likely are poliomyelitis, cerebral palsy, or a stroke. Select a possible diagnosis below to learn more.