Bodies and lives in ancient America : health before Columbus / Debra L. Martin and Anna J. Osterholtz.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Martin, Debra L. (Professor of Biological Anthropology), author.

Osterholtz, Anna J., author.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Indians of North America--Anthropometry.

Indians of North America.

Indians of North America--Health and hygiene--History.

Paleopathology--North America.

Paleopathology.

Human remains (Archaeology)--North America.

Human remains (Archaeology).

Indians of North America--Health and hygiene.

History.

North America.

Genre:

History.

Physical Description:

viii, 166 pages ; 24 cm

Place of Publication:

Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY : Routledge, 2016.

Summary:

Bodies and Lives in Ancient Americaoffers a broad overview of what it was like to live and die throughout North America before European contact. Using a unique life history approach, the book moves from pregnancy and birth through to senescence. Drawing on biological data gathered from human remains, as well as cultural and environmental data derived from archaeological investigations, the authors provide students with a wealth of information on health and other aspects of life that leave changes on the skeletal system. Rich case studies throughout demonstrate the temporal, cultural and environmental variability across the continent prior to colonial times. The authors also examine how different groups faced a variety of challenges in their lives, including climate change and violence, and the effects this had on their health. The book concludes by considering the relevance of what ancient bones reveal for people today. Written in an engaging style, with complex paleopathology data synthesized and clearly presented, Bodiesand Lives in Ancient America is an accessible introduction to the state of health across prehistoric North America. data synthesized and clearly presented, Bodiesand Lives in Ancient America is an accessible introduction to the state of health across prehistoric North America.

Contents:

1 Ancient bodies, ancient lives 1

From bones to bodies using social theory 2

Conceptualizing the work that bioarchaeologists do 5

Bio archaeology in the U.S. today 7

Social bodies and lives, then and now 12

Cultural sketches of core areas in the U.S. 14

Plan of the book 25

Note to students and instructors 28

To sum up 28

References 29

2 Biocultural perspectives on health and disease 33

Paleopathology and the biocultural nature of disease 33

Components of bio archaeological research projects 40

Indicators of disease and trauma on bone and teeth 49

To sum up 66

References 68

3 Pregnancy and birth in ancient America 74

Background and some things to consider 77

Vignettes 82

To sum up 89

References 90

4 Growing up in ancient America 93

Background and some things to consider 95

Vignettes 97

To sum up 109

References 110

5 Adult life in ancient America 114

Background and some things to consider 114

Vignettes 118

To sum up 135

References 136

6 Growing old in ancient America 141

Background and some things to consider 143

Vignettes 144

To sum up 149

References 150

7 Life histories and the are of time 153

The past does not need us, but the future does 154

Uniquely American history lessons from ancient health 157

To sum up 158

References 159.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN:

9781138902879

113890287X

9781138904286

1138904287

OCLC:

921821671