Paléopathologie et pathocénosis anciennes : principes, méthodes, limites

In 1969, Mirko D. Grmek introduced a synchronic approach to the history of diseases by formalizing the concept of pathocenosis. After describing the elements that make up pathocenosis and its sources, including palaeopathology, the contribution of this medico-historical discipline is assessed against the principle of reality. In this context, it becomes evident that paleopathology is too closely tied to the uncertainties of essential data related to archaeology (such as the filters determining which members of society received a formal burial) and palaeodemography (like determining age at death) to fully meet the requirements of pathocenosis. However, by identifying the "morbid clouds" that dominate the osteoarchaeological nosography of a cemetery population, palaeopathology can characterize it in accordance with “palaeopathocenotic estimators”.