The Australian National University

Graduate Student, Archaeology and Anthropology

PhD Candidate

School of Archaeology and Anthropology

Thesis Title: Health and disease in a 12th-17th century Norwegian population: the effects of climate on past population health

About

Very few studies have focused specifically on the effects of cold temperature on disease loads and health in past populations. Cold climate and temperature variables in the environment play an important role in disease maintenance and survival. The role played by cold temperatures in ameliorating disease loads in the past has not yet been systematically addressed or assessed on an archaeological sample, with some notable exceptions.

The impact of the LIA on infectious disease loads and health amongst European populations has been postulated upon previously. Some scholars have argued that the deterioration of climate in Europe correlates to an increased incidence of disease and death among human populations. They assert that this resulted from the direct impacts of cold on human health and frequency and types of infectious disease as well as the social and environmental adaptations related to temperature change.

This project aims to analyse levels and types of infectious disease and health in the sample excavated from the 12th-17th century Library Site (St. Olav’s Church) in Trondheim, Norway within the context of climate, environmental and economic change.
A number of other factors can have a major influence on disease loads and health, such as sanitation and demographic changes. There is also a link between climate change and the success of agriculture and thus, the potential for food restrictions which could adversely affect health. The influence of these factors, along with climate and climate change form an important contextual basis for discussions of Trondheim health and disease.