Network-Led Session features at EAA 2024

The Bioarchaeology Respiratory Network recently held a session at the European Association of Archaeologists Annual Conference in Rome. Run by Network Members Maia Casna, Bruno M. Magalhães, and Anna Davies-Barrett, "In the same breath: (Bio)Archaeological Approaches to Respiratory Diseases" intended to address current respiratory-related research being undertaken in archaeology.

The session turned out to be a huge success, with great attendance and engagement! Our nine taks addressed all manner of topics, including methods in the diagnosis of tuberculosis, critical assessment of our current methods for diagnosing sinusitis, the impacts of pollution and climate change on respiratory health, and epidemiological modelling approaches for understanding respiratory disease in the past:

A SLOW DEATH: INVESTIGATING ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTANT EXPOSURE AND

ITS INFLUENCE ON HEALTH IN ROMANO-BRITISH TO POST-MEDIEVAL ENGLISH

POPULATIONS.

Paige Falco

REEVALUATING MAXILLARY SINUSITIS DIAGNOSIS IN PALEOPATHOLOGY: INSIGHTS

FROM SKELETONIZED INDIVIDUALS AND CLINICAL STUDIES

Bruno M. Magalhaes

INVESTIGATING SINUSITIS PREVALENCE AMONG SEXES IN THREE SOCIOECONOMIC

GROUPS IN THE POST-MEDIEVAL NETHERLANDS: A SEX-STRATIFIED ANALYSIS

Maia Casna

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE PREVALENCE OF RIB LESIONS IN SCOTLAND AND

IRELAND THROUGH THE MEDIEVAL CLIMATE TRANSITION.

Irmine Roshem

TUBERCULOSIS IN THE PAST – FROM SKELETAL DATA TO PALEOEPIDEMIOLOGICAL

ANALYSIS

Dorthe Pedersen

A GLIMPSE INTO THE SPATIO-TEMPORAL DISTRIBUTION OF TUBERCULOSIS IN THE

1ST–5TH-CENTURY-CE CARPATHIAN BASIN – HOW DIAGNOSTICS DEVELOPMENT

CAN EXPAND KNOWLEDGE

Olga Spekker

METAL DETECTING: BIOMOLECULAR INVESTIGATIONS OF TRANSYLVANIAN

CHILDREN WITH S(CU)RVY

Kori Filipek

BREATHING TIME: A LONGUE-DURÉE MULTIDISCIPLINARY STUDY OF RESPIRATORY

ILLNESSES AND AIRBORNE DISEASES (RIAD) IN SWITZERLAND (16TH – 21ST

CENTURY CE)

Tobias Hofstetter

EXPLORING THE HEALTH BURDEN OF SMOKING-RELATED RESPIRATORY DISEASE IN

THE PAST

Anna Davies-Barrett

We'd like to thank all our speakers for taking part!

Session Abstract:

According to the World Health Organization, respiratory disorders (e.g., sinus, ear, or pulmonary infections) are currently among the greatest contributors to the global burden of disease and constitute one of the most recurring causes of impairment and death. The aetiologies of these conditions vary greatly and range from environmental conditions (e.g., climate change, poor air quality) to cultural factors, such as tobacco and alcohol consumption, occupational hazards, diet, and more. Because of their prevalence today, many archaeological studies have recently begun to address the impact that respiratory infections may have had on the well-being of past populations. However, the intricate aetiology of most respiratory disorders often makes it difficult to interpret results in past populations and, to date, there are only few, limited guidelines on how to assess their prevalence.

The goal of this session is to provide valuable insights into the intricate nature of respiratory diseases and their study in archaeological and/or historical populations, utilizing diverse research methodologies and approaches produced from both bioarchaeological and clinical studies. By generating discussion on respiratory diseases and exploring the intricate connections between these diseases and human environments, our goal is to contribute to the current archaeological comprehension of respiratory infections and to create a platform for future research endeavours.

We welcome both papers and posters that:

· Analyse patterns of prevalence and distribution of respiratory diseases among ancient populations through different (bio)archaeological methods.

· Explore the methodologies employed in diagnosing respiratory diseases in archaeological remains, showcasing innovative techniques and/or technologies.

As we collectively investigate patterns of prevalence, distribution, and innovative diagnostic techniques, we not only enrich our understanding of the human past but also lay the foundation for more comprehensive research in the future.