Paleopathology is the study of the evidence of trauma, disease, and congenital defects in human remains. Archaeologists, geneticists, and physical-anthropologists, conduct paleopathology studies in order to evaluate the effects of disease upon ancient populations. Often, such research is conducted to garner more information about the biological and genetic characteristics of prehistoric or ancient populations, but sometimes paleopathology involves scientifically evaluating accounts of epidemics in historical records.

The earliest form of the science of paleopathology emerged in the 1600s. erman naturalists, interested in newly discovered Egyptian mummies, carefully dissected and inspected the bones and tissues of specimen and attempted to compare the remains with contemporary cadavers. Early paleopathologists were able to identify striations and lesions on bone that indicated arthritis. In the late 1700s, scientists also cataloged distinctive marks on bone and tooth remains that...