• CulturedLout@lemmy.ca
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    1 year ago

    They were probably eunuchs. Castration causes a delay in the fusion of the long bones in the legs, so they just keep growing.

    • adam_y@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      It’s not just leg bones though, is it?

      The size of that hand in his shoulder.

      Castration is an interesting theory, but it looks closer to a growth hormone cause. That said, there are around 3000 people alive today that are as tall without any such cause.

      • CulturedLout@lemmy.ca
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        1 year ago

        It could be natural for sure. The castration theory was just a possibility, considering the date and their profession.