Advances in Human Palaeopathology

by Editor: Ron Pinhasi (University College Cork); Co-Editor: Simon Mays (English Heritage)

• ISBN13: 9780470724170
• ISBN10: 047072417X
• Format: eBook
• Copyright: 2008-04-01
• Publisher: Wiley

Summary

This volume presents a truly integrated methodological and biocultural approach to the expanding discipline of human palaeopathology. The book provides researchers and practitioners with a comprehensive guide to the main methods and techniques that are currently available for studying diseases and related conditions from human skeletal remains. It also describes the ways in which these methods can be applied to the reconstruction of health and disease in the past.The first part of the book deals with the survival of palaeopathological evidence and provides an up-to-date account of some of the latest techniques for studying disease in ancient remains. These include imaging techniques, such as radiography and CT scanning, and biochemical and histological analyses. Part two discusses the diagnosis and interpretation of particular classes of disease. The emphasis here is on what can be learnt by taking a biocultural or holistic approach to the study of disease frequencies at a population level.Combines theoretical, methodological and diagnostic aspects with key biocultural approaches.Includes overviews of the latest applicable techniques from molecular biology, biochemistry, histopathology and medical imaging.Written by an international team of experts.This book is an invaluable resource for biological anthropologists and archaeologists who study health and disease in past populations. It is also of interest to medical researchers dealing with epidemiological, diagnostic and pathophysiological aspects of diseases, who need a perspective upon the ways in which particular diseases affected earlier generations.Praise from the reviews:"The strengths of the book are numerous, but I am especially impressed with the clarity of presentation... I strongly recommend the book, and plan on using it in my classes as assigned reading to emphasize the very complex nature of diagnosis and its essential role of providing baseline information for interpreting health profiles of ancient populations." THE QUARTERLY REVIEW OF BIOLOGY"It may be asked if we really need yet another book on paleopathology, especially because there are many acclaimed sources available. In this case, the answer must be a resounding ''Yes!''...Visually and textually, this volume is of exceptional value for guiding future generations of paleopathologists." AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL ANTHROPOLOGY"Pinhasi and Mays have produced an excellent, balanced compilation that reflects what is currently happening in paleopathology research and that nicely addresses paleopathology as both discipline and tool, highlighting technical advanced and schooling us on how disease manifests in the human skeleton. This is valuable resource that students and professionals interested in human paloepathology should consider adding to their libraries." AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY

Table of Contents

Preface

Analytical Approaches In Palaeopathology

The chemical and microbial degradation of bones and teeth

How representative are human skeletal assemblages for population analysis?

pidemiological approaches in palaeopathology

Macroscopic analysis and data collection in palaeopathology

Radiography and allied techniques in the palaeopathology of skeletal remains

CT-scanning and 3D-visualisation of mummies and bog bodies

Histological studies on ancient bone

Molecular palaeopathology of human infectious disease

Databases

Diagnosis And Interpretation Of Disease In Human Remains

Differential diagnosis of skeletal lesions in infectious disease

Metabolic bone disease

Tumours and tumour-like processes

Advances in the palaeopathology of teeth and jaws

Trauma

Congenital Anomalies

Growth in past archaeological populations

Index

Table of Contents provided by Publisher. All Rights Reserved.