The Archaeology of Disease - Softcover

Roberts, Charlotte A.; Manchester, Keith

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0750914831 ISBN 13: 9780750914833

Publisher: Sutton Publishing Ltd, 2007

Synopsis

This text shows how scientific and archaeological techniques can be used to identify the common illnesses and injuries from which humans suffered in antiquity. Charlotte Roberts and Keith Manchester study evidence gleaned from written records and works of art as well as from ancient human remains, and they combine a clinical interpretation of prevalent diseases with a graphic description of thier social, economic, and cultural consequences. This edition includes case studies from around the world and gives an account of the rapid technical advances that have dramatically increased our knowledge of illness in the distant past. The book offers a picture of ancient disease and trauma by combining the results of scientific research with information gathered from documents, from other areas of archaeology, and from art and ethnography. Chapters focus on trauma, tumours, arthritis, and congenital, infectious, dental and metabolic diseases. The authors provide a context for clinical knowledge about specific ailments and accidents by considering ancient demography, basic bone biology, funerary practices, and prehistoric medicine.

About this title

Review:

"As close to perfection as a book can come. . . . The Archaeology of Disease is highly recommended to all who are interested in the history of diseases and their scientific investigation. The clear, precise, and elaborate description and interpretation of paleopathological observations the world over, from many different time periods, provide excellent insight into life and death hundreds to thousands of years ago."--Andreas G. Nerlich, JAMA, September 20, 2006

"Well structured, clearly written, and extremely accurate from both a historical and scientific point of view."--The Lancet (reviewing a previous edition)

"A concise, informative, and very readable introduction to the field of paleopathology."--Journal of the History of Medicine (reviewing a previous edition)

"Details how skeletal discoveries at archaeological sites reveal much about illnesses in earlier eras and how they were treated. Dead men do tell tales."--Anneli Rufus, East Bay Express.com, 25 January 2006

"This is a fabulous book. It is stocked full of useful data, is well organized, and devoid of most of the pseudoscience that plagues this area of study. It covers the entire field in a practical, no-nonsense style. If you are interested in ancient disease, then this is the "bible," the finest text to date."--Journal of the American Association of Forensic Dentists

About the Author:

Charlotte Roberts is lecturer in biological anthropology in the Department of Archaeology at the University of Durham. Keith Manchester was formerly visiting lecturer in the Department of Archaeological Sciences at the University of Bradford and a general medical practitioner in Bradford.

About this edition

• Publisher: Sutton Publishing Ltd
• Publication date: 2007
• ISBN 10: 0750914831
• ISBN 13: 9780750914833
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 256