An extremely thorough review of diseases visible through analysis of skeletal and other preserved remains from antiquity. It gives a brief history of palaeopathology before systematically delving into the various changes observable on remains by different disease processes. There are also discussions on environmental factors, movements of peoples through time and space, diet, culture and occupation. I particularly enjoyed the concluding chapter with its reiterated call from previous editions for a universal collection of comparative material for study. This would require academics from all over the world to share their work under one umbrella, a little like Interpol or CODIS for archaeological human remains, for the benefit of future study and insight into world population health over time. This is an extremely admirable goal and one worthy of effort, but I wonder how easily academics will unite on such a project. 'Share' is not always a word heard in academia, especially in an area as competitive and poorly funded as archaeology/anthropology. It would be nice to see though.

The third edition - and I'm enjoying reading it as much as I've enjoyed reading the first and second editions! Greater scope, and full of new stuff. ( )