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PALEOPATHOLOGY

ASSOCIATION

FOUNDED IN 1974


Paleopathology (or palaeopathology) is defined as the study of ancient diseases in humans and animals recovered from archeological sites. It is a key  contributor to the field of bioarcheology that precisely integrates a biocultural approach to reconstruct past  lived experiences.

Today, the PPA is a global community composed of researchers and students with a background in anthropology, archaeology, medicine, biology, and zoology. Membership is open to all who are interested and dedicated to sharing information, ideas and resources that help us understand health and disease in the past. 

As our motto states: the dead teach the living.

Upcoming events

  • No upcoming events

PPA Service Award

Dr Nivien Speith

Dr Nivien Speith has been awarded the Paleopathology Service Award in recognition of her steadfast service and amazing contribution to the Association as Newsletter Editor and Board Member for 9 years from 2013 to 2022.

Nivien brought her combination of high energy, good judgement, and remarkable organizational abilities to her editorship role.  Her “can do” attitude was (and is) coupled with a graciousness that comes naturally, making her a real asset to the PPA. All of her letters from the Editor were friendly and cheerful, providing an uplifting and unwavering voice of the organization. As Editor, Nivien had an incredible work capacity, ensuring that the Newsletter was always informative, providing an important link between the organization and senior members, early career members, student members, and the public. 

Nivien also made important contributions to our executive meetings and was fantastic at establishing a great collegiate network, providing valuable advice on who to talk to or contact in matters regarding the Board or publications. During her term as our Newsletter Editor, Nivien set the standard in the pride she took to always ensure each newsletter was as good as it could possibly be.

PPA newsletter

The MARCH Newsletter is out now!

Read it HERE

Check out all of the issues on the Member's only page!

The Paleopathology Newsletter (PPNL) is issued quarterly. Subscription to the PPNL is a PPA member benefit.

Learn More 

Student group

The PPA Student Group (SG) is open to all student members of the PPA. 

 Learn More

The IJPP Supplement is in progress!

Abstracts for contributions presented at the Paleopathology Association Meetings in 2024 and 2025 (Los Angeles, Leiden and Baltimore) are in production.

Celebrating 50 years: International Journal of Paleopathology Award Winner : Haagen Klaus

Congratulations to Haagen Klaus winner of the award that celebrates the article that has most advanced the study of Paleopathology since the launch of our Journal in in 2011:

 Klaus, H. 2017. Paleopathological rigor and differential diagnosis: Case studies involving terminology, description, and diagnostic frameworks for scurvy in skeletal remains. IJPP 19: 106-110.


Consider publishing your best paleopathology research here too!

BOOKS BY PPA MEMBERS

Nomenclature

The need for a consensus and accuracy in the use of descriptive terms in palaeopathology has been a longstanding concern of the PPA. Learn more about adopting appropriate terms in all communications and publications.

Read More Here

International Journal of Paleopathology

The International Journal of Paleopathology carves out a dedicated academic space for communication, collaborations and cutting-edge research in paleopathology - human and non-human. The journal seeks to encourage research and foster interdisciplinary communication. Visit our dedicated page for the fantastic collection of Special Issues, and the newly-created Volume Highlights  .


Volume 49 is now in the making - Check it out!


REMEMBER! Members of the Paleopathology Association receive free online access to the IJPP.

Future Conferences

Future North American meetings: 

Denver (March 16-18, 2026)

Future European Paleopathology Association Meetings:

Berlin, Germany (2026)

Evora, Portugal (2028)

Future PAMinSA Meetings: 

Santiago, Chile (postponed)

Award winners

Congratulations to the Winners of the North American PPA Conference Presentation Prizes:


Cockburn Student Award

Best podium presentation: Isobel Grimley

We are all formed in frailty and error: childhood health and development in early medieval England and the Isle of Man


Best Poster Presentation: Margot Serra (runner up)

Life and death by the sea: paleopathological insights from an early preceramic individual from the Paracas Peninsula, Peru 


IJPP Early Career Conference Award

Dr Jenna Dittmar

Osseus changes associated with hallux valgus deformity: a cadaveric study.

VOlume highlights

The Highlighted papers for Volume 46 and 47 of the IJPP have now been selected!

CONGRATULATIONS to Miksha Harripershad, Charlotte Theye, Alison Ridel, and Leandi Liebenberg (vol 46) and Christine Jones (vol 47) for their superb contributions!

Check the IJPP page for more information

These papers are OPEN ACCESS and are freely available to all readers.

What a find!

This is the original design for the Palaeopathology Association logo created by Patrick Horn in 1974! Can you spot the difference?



Welcome to the Board Dr barbara veselka!

Barbara has recently been elected as our new  Communications and Publicity Liaison helping us promote the work of the Association and our Members. Welcome Barbara!

Become a member!

Did you enjoyed the conference?

Were you inspired by what you saw?

Do you want to be part of our phenomenal community?

Join us!

PPA Members have access to our Newsletters, webinars, abstracts, awards, conference information and access to the International Journal of Paleopathology!

Check our range of membership levels and choose what's best for you!

Call for Papers

Paleopathology: The next 50 years
 Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the  Association

Check out the Guidelines and Processes

Open for new submissions from April 2024-April 2025 

See more information HERE

Visit our awards page...

for information on how to be considered for the Jane E. Buikstra Early Career Award 2023

Free Paleopathology Webinars!

We run regular webinars on topics important to paleopathology and our membership. Attendance to the live event is free to all. Recordings of these events are  available on the 'Members Only' page.

Taster! Watch one of our PPA webinars on Colonialism and Bioarchaeology

All recording of our whole PPA Webinar series are available on the 'Members Only' Page:

  • Paleopathology and Climate Change
  • On the Edge: Emerging scholarship of Paleopathology and Marginalization
  • Cancer as an ancient disease: past and implications to the present
  • Rare diseases: Good words make good science
  • From paleopathological diagnosis to the biocultural approach: The contribution of hospital archives
  • Non-adult paleopathology: current understandings and debates.

For information or queries, contact our Communications and Publicity Liaison 

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