The Bioarchaeology of Urbanization: The Biological, Demographic, and Social Consequences of Living in Cities (Bioarchaeology and Social Theory)

Urbanization has long been a focus of bioarchaeological research, but what is missing from the literature is an exploration of the geographic and temporal range of human biological, demographic, and sociocultural responses to this major shift in settlement pattern. Urbanization is characterized by increased population size and density, and is frequently assumed to produce negative biological effects. However, the relationship between urbanization and human “health” requires careful examination given the heterogeneity that exists within and between urban contexts. Studies of contemporary urbanization have found both positive and negative outcomes, which likely have parallels in past human societies. This volume is unique as there is no current bioarchaeological book addressing urbanization, despite various studies of urbanization having been conducted. Collectively, this volume provides a more holistic understanding of the relationships between urbanization and various aspects of human population health. The insight gained from this volume will provide not only a better understanding of urbanization in our past, but it will also have potential implications for those studying urbanization in contemporary communities. Front Matter ....Pages i-xix Introduction to the Bioarchaeology of Urbanization (Sharon N. DeWitte, Tracy K. Betsinger)....Pages 1-21 Front Matter ....Pages 23-23 Changing People, Changing Settlements? A Perspective on Urbanism from Roman Britain (Rebecca C. Redfern)....Pages 25-47 Ritual, Urbanism, and the Everyday: Mortuary Behavior in the Indus Civilization (Gwen Robbins Schug)....Pages 49-72 Urbanization and Parasitism: Archaeoparasitology of South Korea (Dong Hoon Shin, Min Seo, Sang-Yuck Shim, Jong Ha Hong, Jieun Kim)....Pages 73-89 Front Matter ....Pages 91-91 Dietary Variation in an Urbanizing City: A Temporal Analysis of Diet in Late Medieval London Using Stable Isotope Analysis (Brittany S. Walter, Sharon N. DeWitte, Tosha Dupras, Julia Beaumont)....Pages 93-117 Bioarchaeological Aspects of the Early Stage of Urbanization in Sigtuna, Sweden (Anna Kjellström)....Pages 119-145 Markets and Mycobacteria – A Comprehensive Analysis of the Infuence of Urbanization on Leprosy and Tuberculosis Prevalence in Denmark (AD 1200–1536) (K. Saige Kelmelis, Vicki R. L. Kristensen, Mette Alexandersen, Dorthe Dangvard Pedersen)....Pages 147-182 The Bioarchaeology of Urbanization in Denmark (Julia A. Gamble)....Pages 183-221 Frailty, Survivorship, and Stress in Medieval Poland: A Comparison of Urban and Rural Populations (Tracy K. Betsinger, Sharon N. DeWitte, Hedy M. Justus, Amanda M. Agnew)....Pages 223-243 Urban-Rural Differences in Respiratory Tract Infections in Medieval and Early Modern Polish Subadult Samples (Marta Krenz-Niedbała, Sylwia Łukasik)....Pages 245-272 Front Matter ....Pages 273-273 Colonial Urbanism: A Comparative Exploration of Skeletal Stress in Two Eighteenth Century North American French Colonies (Amy B. Scott, Marie Danforth, Sarah MacInnes, Nicole Hughes, Mattia Fonzo)....Pages 275-294 Eighteenth Century Urban Growth and Parasite Spread at the Fortress of Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, Canada (Mattia Fonzo, Amy B. Scott, Michael Duffy)....Pages 295-316 Exploring Patterns of Appositional Growth Amongst Urban Children (Rachel Ives, Louise Humphrey)....Pages 317-339 Childhood Morbidity and Mortality in Europe’s Industrial Era (Sarah Reedy)....Pages 341-377 Respiratory Stress at the Periphery of Industrial-Era London: Insight from Parishes Within and Outside the City (Derek A. Boyd)....Pages 379-402 Is the Pen Mightier than the Sword? Exploring Urban and Rural Health in Victorian England and Wales Using the Registrar General Reports (Gillian M. M. Crane-Kramer, Jo Buckberry)....Pages 403-433 The Nabataean Urban Experiment and Dental Disease and Childhood Stress (Megan A. Perry, Alysha J. Lieurance)....Pages 435-457 Reconstructed Weaning Ages in Urbanized Cities of Premodern Japan: Insight into the Relationship Between Employment and Fertility (Takumi Tsutaya, Yukari Kakinuma, Minoru Yoneda)....Pages 459-482 Front Matter ....Pages 483-483 What Lies Beneath Those Urban Settings? The Value of Bioarchaeology in Understanding the Complexities of Urban Health and Well-Being (Charlotte Ann Roberts)....Pages 485-510 Back Matter ....Pages 511-538 Urbanization has long been a focus of bioarchaeological research, but what is missing from the literature is an exploration of the geographic and temporal range of human biological, demographic, and sociocultural responses to this major shift in settlement pattern. Urbanization is characterized by increased population size and density, and is frequently assumed to produce negative biological effects. However, the relationship between urbanization and human ?health? requires careful examination given the heterogeneity that exists within and between urban contexts. Studies of contemporary urbanization have found both positive and negative outcomes, which likely have parallels in past human societies.0This volume is unique as there is no current bioarchaeological book addressing urbanization, despite various studies of urbanization having been conducted. Collectively, this volume provides a more holistic understanding of the relationships between urbanization and various aspects of human population health. The insight gained from this volume will provide not only a better understanding of urbanization in our past, but it will also have potential implications for those studying urbanization in contemporary communities