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Stress, Sex, and Death: Health and Survival in the Context of Medieval Famine and Plague presented by Dr. Sharon DeWitte

February 19, 2025 @ 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm MST

Eaton Humanities Room 250
Pleasant Street 1610
Boulder, CO 80302 United States


AIA Society: Boulder

In the 14th-century, Afro-Eurasia was struck by a devastating pandemic of bubonic plague, now often called the Black Death, that killed an estimated 30-60% of some affected populations. Dr. DeWitte will discuss her bioarchaeological research, focusing on the skeletal remains of people who died before, during, and after the Black Death in London, England. This work aims to clarify the biosocial factors that shaped vulnerability to historical plague mortality and deepen the temporal scope of understanding of the syndemic interactions that shape epidemic disease experiences and outcomes. Analysis of demographic trends before and after the Black Death in London has revealed evidence of declines in life expectancies and, by inference, health for people before the Black Death, but improvements in health afterwards. Examination of patterns of skeletal indicators of stress reveal differences between males and females, which might reflect variation in sensitivity to stressors or differences in dietary resources in the aftermath of the Black Death. Dr. DeWitte will highlight future directions in medieval plague bioarchaeology, including analyses of the potential effects of migration on population-level patterns of health in the context of famine and plague.

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Details

Date:
February 19, 2025
Time:
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm MST
Event Category:
Website:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeZObAcE89V2Os9qBQtGcCJRBuFsKqspOi06GxhkgQk9PcRDA/viewform

Contact

Sarah James

Venue

Eaton Humanities Room 250
Pleasant Street 1610
Boulder, CO 80302 United States
+ Google Map
Phone
3034920252
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