Tuberculosis, a disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis, can leave lesions on the ribs and spine of individuals if left untreated for extended periods of time. Mycobacteria also leave behind a repetitive element marker named IS6110, which is detectable through DNA amplification methods.

The primary aim of this study was to generate statistical assertions on the relationship between the presence of these osteological lesions and detection of IS6110 on bioarcheological remains. Twenty-eight carefully selected scientific articles, containing 309 individual skeletal remains, were sourced in order to collect relevant osteological data for use in a Bayesian meta-analysis, the statistical method chosen to test this relationship. It was determined that the Bayesian meta-analysis did not yield a significant statistical relationship between the presence of lesions and the detection of IS6110.

We further investigated the relationships among the interment methods that individuals were laid to rest with and the likelihood of detection of IS6110. We determined that individuals whose burial conditions involved protection of some kind were statistically more likely to possess detectable amounts of IS6110 than individuals who were buried in an unprotected way and directly exposed soil. This finding contributes to our interpretation of the Bayesian-meta analysis.