A Historical and Biological Overview of Leprosy and Typhoid in an Ancient Theban Cemetery
Author:
Maddie LaCoss ’27Co-Authors:
Faculty Mentor(s):
Dr. Stephanie Larson, Classics and Ancient Mediterranean StudiesFunding Source:
PURAbstract
As a PUR Fellow, I was given the opportunity to work closely with Dr. Stephanie Larson to create a written synthesis of the biological and historical backgrounds of leprosy and typhoid in the ancient eastern Mediterranean. My research was separated into two phases: data collection and a written interpretation. I commenced with an in-depth review of literature sources published in both major biological and archaeological publications such as the WHO, CDC, American Journal of Anthropology, and International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. I also annotated and summarized sources provided by Professor Larson to use within my work as well as in her own. Utilizing data from both biological and historical areas of scholarship, I produced reports detailing a pathological overview of leprosy and typhoid, incorporating information dating from ancient records to the modern day. I also generated an essay focusing solely on archaeological cases of leprosy reported across the globe as well as a report of genome mutations occurring in the leprosy causative agent, Mycobacterium leprae. After completion of my written analyses, I compiled all relevant sources into separate bibliographies, one for each disease, for Professor Larson’s use in her own research. My final work will be incorporated into the first volume of the final publication of the Bucknell Thebes Excavation Project, a manuscript currently in progress. My research explored the fascinating connections between science and history and effectively removed the boundary often created between the two fields, providing academics with a well-rounded understanding of the biology and history of both diseases.