Paleopathology of Human Populations

Recommended Prerequisites

The student should have knowledge on human anatomy and biological profile analysis in human skeletons.

Teaching Methods

Presentation of the theoretical framework followed by observation and description of practical cases.

Learning Outcomes

To provide tools for research, description and interpretation of pathological lesions in skeletons from identified collections and from prehistoric and historic excavations.

Develop a critical understanding of the available evidence, using a biocultural approach, to the reconstruction of health and diseases of past human populations.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Human paleopathology: primary and secondary evidence.

2. Theoretical context and practical observation of pathology: infectious, traumatic, congenital, metabolic, endocrine, neoplastic, degenerative  joint, among others conditions. Observationa and record of entheseal changes.

3. Indicators of stress:  linear hypoplasia of dental enamel, orbitalia cribra, porotic hyperostosis and Harris lines.

4.The taphonomy and the pseudopathology.

Head Lecturer(s)

Ana Luísa da Conceição dos Santos

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Other: 10.0%
Synthesis work: 40.0%
Frequency: 50.0%

Bibliography

Brickley M., Ives R. 2008. The Bioarchaeology of Metabolic Bone Disease. Amsterdam, Elsevier/Academic Press.

Buikstra, J. (Eds.) 2019. Ortner's identification of pathologica conditions in humana skeletal remais, Elsevier

Burt, N.; Semple, D.; Waterhouse, K.; Lovell, N. 2013. Identification and interpretation of joint diseases in PP and Forensic Anthropology. Springfield, Charles C. Thomas Pub.

Suby, J. 2015. A saúde dos nossos antepassados. Coimbra, Imprensa da Universidade de Coimbra.