Module 2

R.W Schufeldt

R.W Schufeldt

First described paleopathology in the footnotes of his work on trauma on bird bones. Unimportant because he was racist and kept naked photos of young women

B. O’connor

A lesser known early physician and paleopathologist, compared to J.F Esper. Gave proof of fused bones in a human spine. Important because he was a real scientist, providing descriptions and interpretations in his work

J.L Angels 4 scopes of paleopathology

• Importance of semiology

• Relationship between health state and past society

• Relationship between demography and health

• Study of growth and nutrition

J.A Bergonié

First to use radiology to heal

M.A Ruffer

Defines paleopathology after R.W Shufeldt as “science of disease which can be
demonstrated in human and animal remain from ancient time”

E.A Hooton

Has the first study at a populational level, linked chronology and frequency variation of disease(paleoepidemiological approach)

W. Röntgen

discovered X-rays and received the first nobel prize in physics

A.M Cormack and G. Hounsfield

invented the tomography

Paleoepidemiology

Study of ancient diseases in past populations to understand health patterns and causes of illnesses.

Integrative paleopathology

study of pathological context in the past, including health, society and environment. A study that is multi-disciplinary, encompassing human and animal remains.

Disease in paleopathology

an interruption, cessation or disorder of body functions, characterized usually by signs and symptoms or consistent anatomical alterations

Criteria of a “scientific” discipline

• observation of facts

• systematisation

• objectivity

• reproducibility

• refutability

Semiology

signs

etiology

causes

Difference between primary and secondary sources when no bones in paleopathology

Recording forms

image of a skeleton that can be filled in to detail different elements examined in the field

Paleoimaging

methods producing images in an archaeological context

Paleohistology

Analysis of histological traces of pathological process on ancient bones remains

paleomicrobiology

Molecular detection of pathogens in ancient biological material

Paleoparasitology

an indirect source, finding parasites in remains such as textiles, soils, burials, mummies.

how did WW2 shape paleopathology

increase in:

• interest of history

• demographical and epidemiological concepts

• clinical knowledge and practices

New archaeology concepts applied to paleopathology

• going from the individual level to the populational level: transition from disease to health state

• multi-disciplinarily: emphasis on the context around the pathology or population

limits in paleopathology

• need for “superb” familiarity with bone/preserved tissue, as well as many other disciplines →requires many researchers

• assumption in paleopathology that pathogens do not change how they affect with humans→pathologies more flexible than this

• populations not remaining constant over time

Actualism

The comparison of past biological processes with present-day processes to understand ancient diseases.

skills of archaeology in paleopathology

importance of care for osteological remains, including:

• record forms

• safer excavation

• recording lots of information

skills of Bio anthropologist in paleopathology

understanding of:

• normal anatomical variations between human populations and during growth and aging

• a biological profile

• the conservation state

Skills of a pathologist in paleopathology

• osteological tissue process

• recognizing signs and translate them into syndromes

• nosology of diseases

• prevent-pseudo pathology

• historical understanding of human-pathogen cohabitation

How will transdisciplinary practices help future problems

• information about how disease worked in past can inform modern public health initiatives

• understanding pathologies in the past can inform evolution of modern pathologies

• can help preserve endangered species

excavating

on field process that needs a bioarcheologist and use of non-aggressive tools. “bag it, tag it, take elevation and measure”

Recording

on field process of making pictures, filing out recording forms, assessing disposition of every bone and artifact, the type of burial and MNI

Individual analysis

In lab process of examining the individual through imaging, histology, biological profile, lesions, syndromes and nosography

Radiography

radiation of excited molecules creates a 2d image. Is used in paleopathology to make an age at death estimation or assessment of pathological conditions

tomography

gets multiple slices of one volume

includes:

• CT scan-used for mummies

• Micro-CT- for higher precision

• MRIs

MRI

magnet that excites the hydrogen atoms, helpful for retrospective diagnosis

3D imaging

provides volume in its imaging. Used in paleopatholgy to:

• Virtually unwrap mummies

• create 3D impression

• Quantify lesions

• Microstructure modification

• Analysis of imprint of pathological non-conserved tissue

  
  

Global vision

In lab process:

• frequency of expression

  • Raw prevalence

  • adjusted prevalence

  • by groups of nosology

• frequency in the population

  • geography

  • cultural groups

  • chronology

Problems using paleohistology

• thin sections

• taphonomical alterations

• fossilized bones

• difficulties to see lack of mineralisation

Problems with paleomicrobiology

• short and incomplete sequences

• chemical modifications

• PCR inhibitor

• high risk of contamination

natural mummies

Occurs in:

• frozen

• peat bog

• anaerobic or dry environments

Embalmed mummies

• gives insight into funerary treatment

• better conserved

• usually someone who has achieved something

3 phases of decay

1. enzyme release: cells release destructive enzymes, liquifying body tissue. reaction rate can depend on temperature and pH

2. bacteria release: gut bacteria begin invading other tissue

3. entomological arrival: the smell of step 2 attracts insects based on geography and season

Iconographical sources

Visual sources like illustrations and artistic renderings that can aid in understanding ancient diseases and their treatments.

Medico-historical production

Reproductions of real-life anatomical figures or wax statues used to study ancient diseases.

Artistical iconography

Cave drawings or artistic representations that may not always clearly indicate diseases due to their abstract nature.