Bioarchaeology helps reconstruct past diseases by analyzing human skeletal remains and ancient biomolecules to identify evidence of pathological conditions. Here’s how it contributes to understanding ancient diseases:
- Skeletal Pathology: Bones can retain evidence of chronic infections, metabolic disorders, and trauma. Conditions like tuberculosis, syphilis, leprosy, and osteoarthritis leave distinctive marks on bones.
- Dental Analysis: Teeth preserve indicators of nutritional deficiencies (e.g., enamel hypoplasia), stress events, and infections. Dental calculus can also trap ancient DNA from pathogens.
- Ancient DNA (aDNA): Advances in aDNA analysis allow scientists to detect genetic material from ancient pathogens, confirming the presence of diseases such as the plague (Yersinia pestis) or tuberculosis (Mycobacterium tuberculosis).
- Stable Isotope Analysis: This method helps infer dietary deficiencies and overall health, which can indicate susceptibility to disease in past populations.
- Paleoparasitology: The study of ancient parasites in preserved feces, mummies, or latrine sediments helps identify infections like intestinal worms.
- Histological Analysis: Microscopic examination of bone and tissue samples can reveal cellular-level evidence of disease, such as bone remodeling due to infection or cancer.
- Cultural and Environmental Context: By combining bioarchaeological data with historical and environmental records, researchers can understand how diseases spread, their impact on societies, and human adaptations to illnesses.