Affiliated Lecturer in Biological Anthropology, University of Cambridge
BACKGROUND
Trained as a paleopathologist, palaeoparasitologist, physical anthropologist, medical historian, and children's orthopaedic surgeon.
President of the Paleopathology Association 2015-2017 (worldwide organisation for the study of ancient diseases).
Editorial Board Member of the International Journal of Paleopathology. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, and PostMedieval: a Journal of Medieval Cultural Studies.
Founding Editor of the Cambridge Studies in Human Bioarchaeology and Osteoarchaeology book series, to be published by Cambridge University Press.
TEACHING
I teach a course on Human Evolution and Health. This explores how disease has shaped the way humans have evolved, and also how diseases have evolved to exploit humans. After considering the different techniques available to investigate health in past populations, we discuss the biological and genetic impact of disease upon natural selection. The cultural consequences of ill health will also be explored, including the social and religious interpretation of why people became ill, coping strategies by past civilizations to live with diseases significant in their societies, and attempts to heal the sick.
RESEARCH INTEREST
The interaction between humans and parasites throughout evolution.
Disease and health in the crusades to the medieval Middle East.
CURRENT PROJECTS
Parasites in Past Civilizations and their Impact Upon Health.
Health in the Crusades: Epidemics, Malnutrition, and the Medieval Physician.
Anatomical Dissection, Autopsy, and Pathology Museums in Britain from 1700.
The Health of King Richard III of England.
Filthy habits: medieval monks were more likely to have worms than ordinary people
Aug 21, 2022 17:29 pm UTC| Insights & Views
In the middle ages, monks, nuns, and friars had it relatively easy. They lived quiet lives within friaries and monastic complexes, reading manuscripts, praying, and tending to gardens in which they grew their own food....
Fashion for pointy shoes unleashed a wave of bunions in medieval England
Jun 14, 2021 04:36 am UTC| Life
The 14th century saw the arrival of an abundance of new styles of dress and footwear in Europe, coming in a wide range of fabrics and colours. Among these new fashion trends were poulaines rather eccentric-looking...
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