Palaeopathology

An evidence based account of how to recognise and diagnose pathological lesions in human remains.

Tony Waldron (Author)

9781108499583, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 10 December 2020

378 pages
26 x 18.2 x 2.1 cm, 0.94 kg

'This is a well-written and authoritative text that assumes a suitable background in relevant biomedical disciplines … The book will primarily be of interest to archaeologists, forensic anthropologists, bone specialists, and those working in or studying related fields … Recommended.' T. Brennan, CHOICE

Palaeopathology is an evidence-based guide to the principal types of pathological lesions often found in human remains and how to diagnose them. Tony Waldron presents an innovative method of arriving at a diagnosis in the skeleton by applying what he refers to as 'operational definitions'. The method ensures that those who study bones will use the same criteria for diagnosing disease, thereby enabling valid comparisons to be made between studies. Waldron's book is based on modern clinical knowledge and provides background information on the natural history of bone disease. In addition, the volume demonstrates how results from studies should be analysed, methods of determining the frequency of disease, and other types of epidemiological analysis. This edition includes new chapters on the development of palaeopathology, basic concepts, health and disease, diagnosis, and spinal pathology. Chapters on analysis and interpretation have been thoroughly revised and enlarged.

Part I. Introduction and Concepts: 1. Beginnings
2. Basic assumptions
3. Health and disease
4. Diagnosis
Part II. Pathology: 5. Osteoarthritis
6. Other joint diseases
7. Spinal pathology
8. Infectious diseases
9. Metabolic diseases
10. Trauma
11. Neoplastic diseases
12. Disorders of growth and development
13. Special pathology
14. Dental disease
Part III. Analysis: 15. Introduction to epidemiology
16. Interpretation.

Subject Areas: Anthropology [JHM], Archaeological science, methodology & techniques [HDW], Archaeological theory [HDA]