Development and application of a methodology for recording animal palaeopathological data

Stephanie Vann

In recent years the impact of animal disease on human societies has had an extremely high profile, with the spread of diseases such as BSE and foot and mouth amongst animal populations, as well as the transmission of diseases such as HIV, Ebola and SARS from animal to human populations. The social and economic impact of such illnesses has been profound. Studies on the effect of animal disease in past human populations has been widely neglected however, despite the fact that the biological and socio-economic impact of disease would have been equally, if not more, severe – particularly since past societies had a much more intimate relationship with animals. Part of the reason for this is undoubtedly due to the inconsistent manner in which incidences of animal disease (palaeopathology) are collected, recorded, interpreted and diagnosed. It is the intent of my doctoral thesis to design, develop and implement a methodology to overcome these problems and enable the past impact of animal disease to be better understood.

Having completed a review of the animal and human palaeopathological literature, I am currently in the process of devising a recording methodology in the form of an Access database that could be used in conjunction with existing archaeozoological recording practices. A pilot recording form for post-cranial skeletal elements is currently being trialed (and was unveiled at the Professional Zooarchaeology Group meeting at the University of Leicester in January 2006) and can be downloaded here for use by those who are interested - of course I would welcome any feedback on your experience on describing palaeopathological lesions in this way. I am also in the process of defining the terminology that should be used in conjunction with this recording methodology and I have produced a preliminary glossary.