Is this a type of archeologist or a type of pathologist?

June 18, 2009 11:10 AM

What does a paleopathologist actually do? I'm not looking for technical terms, but rather "a day in the life of." Is there another term for this specialty that can lead to more information about the profession?
posted by biochemist to science & nature (4 comments total)

IANAP, but as far as I can tell, it involves a lot of DNA comparisons and careful measurements/assessments of remains. They're looking for evidence of disease, which, since the subjects are dead, means looking for physical manifestations of disease-causing agents (and maybe genetic disorders?): bone irregularities are what come to mind. I can't imagine this happening outside a lab.
posted by oinopaponton at 11:51 AM on June 18

It sounds like forensic anthropology, but solely focused on ancient bones. But googling forensic anthropology would probably turn up more information.
posted by hydropsyche at 12:30 PM on June 18

Oh-- I totally forgot about the coolest application of paleopathology: identifying the Plague of Athens with Thucydides's History and ancient bones found buried below Athens as complementary sources.
posted by oinopaponton at 12:43 PM on June 18

Mrs. Yoz says: A day in the life of a paleopathologist would essentially consist of sitting in a lab and looking at bones, possibly through thin sections, X-rays, etc.

Paleopathology is a subdiscipline of osteology (or osteoarchaeology). This broader field could also include wholesale analysis of cemetary populations for commercial and academic clients or interests. Most paleopathologists tend to be academic specialists in universities, but there are very few of them, and practically no jobs. They would analyze specific cases sent to them by other universities or commercial archaeology units. There are very few people that actually do paleopathology for a living.

There is always a glut of people who want to do osteology. If you are considering doing this for a job, think very carefully. The American Association of Physical Anthropologists would have more information for this in the US, and the British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology would have more information relevant to the UK.

Mrs. Yoz knows a few things on this subject, MeMail me if you have more questions.
posted by yoz420 at 2:44 PM on June 18