Theoretical and Methodological Issues in Paleopathology

Recommended Prerequisites

Knowledge of human anatomy and analysis of the biological profile in human skeletons.

Teaching Methods

Powerpoint and videos, laboratory prcatices and papers discussions.

Learning Outcomes

This course aims to discuss the current problems underlying paleopathological analysis resulting from the limitations of retrospective diagnoses and the difficult assessment of the environmental and bioculltural conditions in which the individuals lived / died. To provide knowledge about methodological and technological developments in the area of paleopathology / bioarcheology.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

1. Limitation and the role of silent diseases in the paleopathological record. The osteological paradox.

2. Methodologies for the registration of osteoarthritis, enthesial changes, cribras, nasal trauma, ostecondrite dissecants, rickets, among others. Practical application.

3. Learning to interpret imagiological, histological, paleoimmunology, proteomics and paleoparasitological analyzes.

4. Laboratory practices with optical and scanning electron microscopy and x-ray fluorescence.

5. Discussion on the challenges and the future of paleopathology / bioarcheology.

Head Lecturer(s)

Ana Luísa da Conceição dos Santos

Assessment Methods

Assessment
Resolution Problems: 25.0%
Laboratory work or Field work: 25.0%
Synthesis work: 50.0%

Bibliography

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

Carwford, S.,Hadley, D. M., Shepperd, G. 2018. The Oxford handbook of the archaeology of childhood. Oxford University Press.

Ferreira, L. F.; Reinhard, K. Araújo, A. 2018. Fundamentos da Paleoparasitologia. Rio de Janeiro. FioCruz.

Katzenberg, MA; Grauer, A. 2018. Biological Anthropology of the Human Skeleton. Wiley.

Roberts, CA. 2019. Human Remains in Archaeology: a Handbook. CBA Practical Handbook.

Robben, ACGM. 2018. A Companion to the Anthropology of Death. Wiley.