The Bioarchaeology of Metabolic Bone Disease

The Bioarchaeology of Metabolic Bone Disease, Second Edition is a comprehensive source dedicated to better understanding this group of conditions that have significant consequences for health in both past and present communities on a global scale. This edition presents an updated introduction to the biology and metabolism of mineralised tissues that are fundamental to understanding the expression of the metabolic bone diseases in skeletal remains. The extensive advances in understanding of these conditions in both bioarchaeological and biomedical work are brought together for the reader. Dedicated chapters focussing on each disease emphasise the integration of up-to-date clinical background with the biological basis of disease progression to give guidance on identification. New chapters covering anaemia and approaches to recognising the co-occurrence of pathological conditions have been included, reflecting recent advances in research. Boxes highlighting significant issues, use of information from sources such as texts and nonhuman primates, and theoretical approaches are included in the text. Each chapter closes with 'Core Concepts' that summarise key information. The final chapter reviews current challenges in bioarchaeology and provides directions for future research. This is a must-have resource for users at all career stages interested in integrating information on the metabolic bone diseases into bioarchaeological projects. - Covers deficiencies of vitamin C and D, osteoporosis (age-related and secondary), Paget's disease of bone, anaemia and approaches to disease co-occurrence - Contains clear and user-friendly guidance for macroscopic, radiological and microscopic diagnoses - Highlights current inquiries and debates in biological anthropology, bioarchaeology, palaeopathology, medical history and clinical/biomedical research - Extensive figures, most new or updated, provide invaluable information on biological processes and lesion expression through diagrams and photographs

Megan B. Brickley is currently Professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in the Bioarchaeology of Human Disease at the Department of Anthropology, McMaster University, Canada. Her primary research interests are use of paleopathology in bioarchaeology, and interdisciplinary research on past human health and disease. She has served as past-Chair of the British Association of Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology and an Associate Editor of American Journal of Physical Anthropology. Currently she is an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Paleopathology and the President Elect of the Paleopathology Association. Her publications include two co-authored and six edited books and eighty journal papers and book chapters.