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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

51st Annual North American Meeting 

Los Angeles, CA           March 18-20, 2024

*The meeting will take place in hybrid format

Meeting Registration is now open! - Late Registration fees apply starting 20th February 2024.

Download or Print the Final 2024 Academic Program

Conference activities: sign up for Let's Do Lunch, Meet a Mentor and the Dental Histology Workshop!

Hotel information: The meeting will be held at the JW Marriot LA LIVE in Los Angeles, CA.  Find all the information about the hotel here.

For more detailed information, head to the Meetings Page

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.


Find more information about the latest updates and how to publish in the IJPP in our dedicated page.


Volume 44 is now in the making - Check it out!


On the IJPP website,  you will also find the fantastic collection of Special Issues, and the newly-created Volume Highlights which celebrate and promote scientific contributions influencing our field.


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

Eve Cockburn Service Award 2023

Prof. Marie Danforth

 

The Awards Committee stated that Marie has been an active member of the PPA for the last 40 years, starting as a graduate student member, and has served as Treasurer from 2009-2012, then as Vice-President from 2013-2015, organizing the two North American meetings, alongside supporting the PPA Student Group, and several PPA subcommittees. 

Marie has promoted our discipline at several other levels, ranging from university-level activities to local, regional, national, and international-level academic engagement activities. She has received numerous honors and awards including the Charles Jenkins Service Award by the Lambda Alpha National Honorary Society in Anthropology (2002), the Mentorship Award from the PPA (2014), one recognition for contributions to Undergraduate Research by the Drapeau Center for Undergraduates, the Innovation Award for Research Advocacy from the University of Southern Mississippi (2011 and 2017), and The Mississippi Humanities Council Scholar of the Year in 2013.

Marie has mentored, trained, and supported countless students that always felt inspired not only by her excellence in scholarship but by her generosity, kindness, and compassion as well.  

Visit our awards page...

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

Eve cockburn mentorship award

2nd Call For Nominations

Do you know somebody who has consistently provided support, guidance, and strong direction to undergraduates and graduates? 

The Paleopathology Association acknowledges with the Eve Cockburn Mentorship Award a senior member who has inspired us as a teacher, advisor, or counsellor. Candidates must be PPA members for at least ten years.

Find here all the information needed to nominate your candidate and send your nomination and letter of support to our Director-at-Large (Awards) 

The Award will be announced at the upcoming 51st Annual North American Meeting in Los Angeles (CA).

24th European PPA meeting

More information coming soon!

September PPA newsletter is out now!

Check it out at the Members' Only page!

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!

PPA newsletter

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

Webinar update

The recordings for the December and January webinars are now available on the Members Only Page!

Listen to Bernardo Arriaza, Mariana Fabra and Gonzalo Figueiro talk about the newest paleopathology research in South America 

and 

Ricardo Gomes, Rachel Schats and Lexi O'Donnell discuss about porous skeletal lesions!

Next Conferences

Future North American meetings: 

Baltimore (2025) 

Denver (2026)

Future European Paleopathology Association Meetings:

Leiden, Netherlands (August 21-24, 2024)

Berlin, Germany (2026)

Future PAMinSA Meetings: 

Lima, Peru (2025)

PPA webinars

We run regular webinars on topics important to paleopathology and our membership. Recordings of these events are normally available on the 'Members Only' page.

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

All recording of our 2022 PPA Webinar series are available on the 'Members Only' Page:

  • 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

RECENT BOOKS BY 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

For information or queries, contact our Communications and Publicity Liaison 

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