Bodies and Lives in Ancient America : Health Before Columbus

Bodies and Lives in Ancient America offers 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, Bodies and Lives in Ancient America is an accessible introduction to the state of health across prehistoric North America. Bodies And Lives In Ancient America Offers 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 Provides Students With A Wealth Of Information On Health And Other Aspects Of Life That Leave Changes On The Skeletal System. Rich Case Studies Throughout Demonstrates 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 These 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, Bodies And Lives In Ancient America Is An Accessible Introduction To The State Of Health Across Prehistoric North America. -- From Back Cover. 1. Ancient Bodies, Ancient Lives -- From Bones To Bodies Using Social Theory -- Conceptualizing The Work That Bioarchaeologists Do -- Bioarchaeology In The U.s. Today -- Social Bodies And Lives, Then And Now -- Cultural Sketches Of Core Areas In The U.s. -- Plan Of The Book -- Note To Students And Instructors -- To Sum Up -- 2. Biocultural Perspectives On Health And Disease -- Paleopathology And The Biocultural Nature Of Disease -- Components Of Bioarchaeological Research Projects -- Indicators Of Disease And Trauma On Bone And Teeth -- To Sum Up -- 3. Pregnancy And Birth In Ancient America -- Background And Some Things To Consider -- Vignettes -- To Sum Up -- 4. Growing Up In Ancient America -- Background And Some Things To Consider -- Vignettes -- To Sum Up -- 5. Adult Life In Ancient America -- Background And Some Things To Consider -- Vignettes -- To Sum Up -- 6. Growing Old In Ancient America -- Background And Some Things To Consider -- Vignettes -- To Sum Up -- 7. Life Histories And The Arc Of Time -- The Past Does Not Need Us, But The Future Does -- Uniquely American History Lessons From Ancient Health -- To Sum Up. Debra L. Martin And Anna J. Osterholtz. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Cuerpos y Vidas en la América Antigua ofrece una visión general de lo que era vivir y morir en toda América del Norte antes del contacto europeo. Usando un enfoque de historia de vida único, el libro se mueve desde el embarazo y el nacimiento hasta la senescencia. Basándose en datos biológicos recogidos de restos humanos; así como, datos culturales y ambientales derivados de investigaciones arqueológicas, los autores proporcionan a los estudiantes una gran cantidad de información sobre la salud y otros aspectos de la vida que dejan cambios en el sistema esquelético. Los estudios de caso enriquecidos demuestran la variabilidad temporal, cultural y ambiental del continente antes de la época colonial. Los autores también examinan cómo los diferentes grupos se enfrentan a una variedad de desafíos en sus vidas, incluyendo el cambio climático y la violencia, y los efectos que éstos tenían sobre su salud. El libro concluye considerando la relevancia de lo que los huesos antiguos revelan para la gente de hoy. -- Nota del editor