Leprosy has a long history as seen through historical evidence, and evidence in skeletons from archaeological sites that is several thousand years old. This section highlights the methods used to identify leprosy, reveals the bone changes of leprosy affecting the facial, hand and foot bones that are recognized by palaeopathologists, focuses on the global evidence for leprosy according to time and place, and shows how ancient DNA analysis of M. leprae is providing new insights on its origin, evolution and history.
BT - Hansen’s Disease DO - 10.1007/978-3-031-30893-2_3 LA - Eng N2 -Leprosy has a long history as seen through historical evidence, and evidence in skeletons from archaeological sites that is several thousand years old. This section highlights the methods used to identify leprosy, reveals the bone changes of leprosy affecting the facial, hand and foot bones that are recognized by palaeopathologists, focuses on the global evidence for leprosy according to time and place, and shows how ancient DNA analysis of M. leprae is providing new insights on its origin, evolution and history.
PB - Springer International Publishing PY - 2023 SE - 3 SN - 9783031308925 SP - 23 EP - 33 T2 - Hansen’s Disease TI - The Origin, Evolution and History of Leprosy Through a Palaeopathological Lens ER -