The Archaeology of Disease - 4th Edition by Charlotte A Roberts & Mary E Lewis & Jacalyn Duffin & Keith Manchester (Paperback)

About the Book

"This book shows how the latest analytical techniques can be used to identify the common illnesses and injuries from which humans suffered in antiquity. The authors combine the results of scientific research with information gathered from documents and art, relevant archaeological evidence, and ethnographic studies"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

This revised fourth edition of The Archaeology of Disease focuses on reconstructing the origin, evolution, and history of disease as seen mainly through human skeletons from archaeological sites. In addition, this edition addresses new concepts in medicine and explores the challenges faced by individuals and populations, including their children.

Integrating conceptual frameworks from bioarchaeology, medical history, and clinical health, the authors take a long view of disease over thousands of years to examine how frequencies of disease have changed over time in relation to epidemiological transitions. They further investigate the risk of disease in populations at specific time periods and geographic locations. As a result, they provide a better understanding of the impact of health problems on our ancestors and present ethical considerations for palaeopathologists around the world when working with human remains using both archaeological and historical evidence.

About the Author

Charlotte A. Roberts is a bioarchaeologist and Professor Emerita of Archaeology at the Department of Archaeology, Durham University.

Mary E. Lewis is Professor of Bioarchaeology in the Department of Archaeology, University of Reading.

Jacalyn Duffin is a hematologist and Hannah Professor Emerita of the History of Medicine at Queen's University.

Keith Manchester is a retired practicing clinician and Honorary Professor of Palaeopathology in the Biological Anthropology Research Centre at the University of Bradford.