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PALEOPATHOLOGY

ASSOCIATION

FOUNDED IN 1974



Paleopathology (or palaeopathology) is defined as the study of ancient diseases in humans and animals recovered from archeological sites. It is a key  contributor to the field of bioarcheology that precisely integrates a biocultural approach to reconstruct past  lived experiences.

Today, the PPA is a global community composed of researchers and students with a background in anthropology, archaeology, medicine, biology, and zoology. Membership is open to all who are interested and dedicated to sharing information, ideas and resources that help us understand health and disease in the past. 

As our motto states: the dead teach the living.

Upcoming events

  • No upcoming events

The IJPP Supplement is OUT!

Abstracts for contributions presented at the Paleopathology Association Meetings in 2023 (Reno, Nevada and Cochabamba, Bolivia)

Read it HERE

Award Winners

Congratulations to this the Winners of the European PPA Conference Presentation Prizes:


Cockburn Student Award

Best podium presentation: Maia Casna

A study into the impact of tobacco consumption on the respiratory health of two Dutch skeletal samples (1600-1829 CE)


Best Poster Presentation: Mathilde Sehested Thormann

Respiratory health along the Lowe Nubian Nile Valley: a prevalence study on chronic maxillary sinusitis between 4-2nd millennium BCE and its correlation to dental disease.


IJPP Early Career Conference Award

Dr Anna Barrett-Davis

An 'index of oro-dental disease': a holistic method for understanding the impacts of different risk factors on oral health in archaeological populations.


Don't forget to enter for a PPA conference prize in Baltimore 2025 (members only)

Next Conferences

Future North American meetings: 

Baltimore (March 10-12, 2025) 

Denver (March 16-18, 2026)

Future European Paleopathology Association Meetings:

Berlin, Germany (2026)

Future PAMinSA Meetings: 

Santiago, Chile (August 4-8, 2025)

More information is provided HERE

CALL FOR PAPERS

Paleopathology: The next 50 years
 Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the  Association

Guest Editors, Jane Buikstra and Anne Grauer, cordially invite scholars across many disciplines to contribute to a Special Issue of the International Journal of Paleopathology.

This Special Issue is intended to highlight innovative work that is forward-looking, deeply contextualized, scientifically rigorous, imaginative, and thought-provoking.

Check out the Guidelines and Processes

Open for new submissions from April 2024-April 2025 

Scholars seeking support for crafting a manuscript in the English language are warmly welcome to reach out to Drs. Buikstra (buikstra@asu.edu) or Grauer (agrauer@luc.edu).

Eve cockburn mentorship award

    Dr David Hunt

For over two decades, David Hunt held the role of Biological Anthropology Collections Manager at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Natural History (NMHM), overseeing the Terry Collection and other well-studied skeletal collections. In this position, Dr. Hunt guided hundreds of undergraduates, graduates, young professionals and peers through the steps of their research.

His attention was the same, whether you were a new intern just learning skeletal biology, or an established professional studying for ABFA board certification. He is always encouraging: gently asking questions, eagerly helping with a differential diagnosis, and consistently providing resources for better data collection and analysis.

Additionally, we all know and love Dr. Hunt as a jovial member of the PPA who has enthusiastically supported countless PPA workshops, driving as far as Atlanta, Chicago, Cleveland, and New Orleans (just to name a few meetings) in order to provide the best examples of pathological conditions. At these meetings he can be found taking multiple students out for lunch or limping through a sea of posters to offer his support to a student project.

In short, the research and education of hundreds of individuals has been touched by David Hunt's encouragement, assistance, and support. He quietly retired from the Smithsonian in 2021, but continues to be an influential presence in our field. 

Kristine Pearlstein

__

Dear Paleopathology Association Community,

I am humbled to be considered part of a list of extraordinary mentors present in the Eve Cockburn Mentorship Award. This list holds such esteemed members of the paleopathology scientific community.  It is overwhelming to be linked with people whom I saw as my mentors during my professional development.  Eve Cockburn was a highly respected figure and a fine lady. I was fortunate to know Professor Cockburn and had the privilege to spend time with her at PPA meetings in the past.   

I am sorry that I was not able to attend the meetings this year to have been able to celebrate this award with you all.  This is certainly unexpected, and with gratitude, is a cherished recognition.     

Respectfully, Dave Hunt

Student group

The PPA Student Group (SG) is open to all student members of the PPA. 

 Learn More

VOlume highlights

The VH for Volumes 43 and 44 of the IJPP have now been selected!

CONGRATULATIONS to SIMON MAYS and JO APPLEBY for their superb contributions!

Check the IJPP page for more information

Both papers are OPEN ACCESS and are freely available to all readers.

Visit our awards page...

for information on how to be considered for the Jane E. Buikstra Early Career Award 2023

RECENT BOOKS BY MEMBERS

International Journal of Paleopathology

The International Journal of Paleopathology carves out a dedicated academic space for communication, collaborations and cutting-edge research in paleopathology - human and non-human. The journal seeks to encourage research and foster interdisciplinary communication.


Find more information about the latest updates and how to publish in the IJPP in our dedicated page.


Volume 45 is now in the making - Check it out!


On the IJPP website,  you will also find the fantastic collection of Special Issues, and the newly-created Volume Highlights which celebrate and promote scientific contributions influencing our field.


REMEMBER! Members of the Paleopathology Association receive free online access to the IJPP.

PPA webinars

We run regular webinars on topics important to paleopathology and our membership. Recordings of these events are normally available on the 'Members Only' page.

Taster! Watch one of our PPA webinars on Colonialism and Bioarchaeology

All recording of our 2022 PPA Webinar series are available on the 'Members Only' Page:

  • Paleopathology and Climate Change
  • On the Edge: Emerging scholarship of Paleopathology and Marginalization
  • Cancer as an ancient disease: past and implications to the present
  • Rare diseases: Good words make good science
  • From paleopathological diagnosis to the biocultural approach: The contribution of hospital archives
  • Non-adult paleopathology: current understandings and debates

PPA newsletter

MARCH NEWSLETTER OUT NOW!

Check it out at the Member's only page!

The Paleopathology Newsletter (PPNL) is issued quarterly. Subscription to the PPNL is a PPA member benefit.

Learn More 

Did you enjoyed the conference?

Were you inspired by what you saw?

Do you want to be part of our phenomenal community?

Join us!

PPA Members have access to our Newsletters, webinars, abstracts, awards, conference information and access to the International Journal of Paleopathology!

Check our range of membership levels and choose what's best for you!

Nomenclature

The need for a consensus and accuracy in the use of descriptive terms in palaeopathology has been a longstanding concern of the PPA. Learn more about adopting appropriate terms in all communications and publications.

Read More Here

For information or queries, contact our Communications and Publicity Liaison 

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