HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS REGISTER		Author Keyword(s) Vol Page [Advanced]

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a response Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this link to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Add article to my folders Download to citation manager Request Permissions Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Metcalfe, N. H Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Metcalfe, N. H

A description of the methods used to obtain information on ancient disease and medicine and of how the evidence has survived

Correspondence to:
Dr Neil H Metcalfe, 4 Philadelphia Terrace, South Bank, York YO23 1DH, UK; neilmetcalfe{at}doctors.org.uk

This paper summarises the common modalities that are available for researching ancient medicine and disease as well as explaining how some of these sources have survived to modern day. These are explained under the three broad headings of palaeopathology, artefacts, and texts. The descriptions use a variety of examples from ancient societies including in the Bronze Age, Babylonia and Assyria, ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, and ancient Rome to help explain these modalities. In addition, a review of the advantages and disadvantages of using these tools is included to help current and future historians in stimulating future research in this fascinating area.

Keywords: artefacts; history of ancient medicine; history of medicine; palaeopathology; texts