Climate, Environment and Malaria during the Prehistory of Mainland Greece
Interpretations of osteological remains from mainland Greece during the 1960-1980s led to the suggestion that the most virulent form of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, was prevalent between the Mesolithic and Late Bronze Age (c. 8700 cal. BC-1100 cal. BC). Although disregarded over the past decade, the theory has regained support in recent years from osteological, epidemiological, environmental and DNA studies. However, the presence of this strain of malaria in prehistoric Greece remains controversial. This thesis evaluates 1) the palaeoclimatic conditions of the Aegean between the Mesolithic and Late Bronze Age and 2) the palaeoenvironmental conditions of three archaeological settlements, with the aim of ascertaining whether the climatic and environmental conditions were as conducive for P. falciparum and the mosquito vectors as the osteological evidence suggested. Equal consideration is given to the so-called âlesser strainsâ of malaria, P. vivax and P. malariae, the significance of which is considered to have been underestimated in previous studies.
Morgan-Forster, Antonia H.
DF Greece ; GF Human ecology. Anthropogeography ; CC Archaeology ; RZ Other systems of medicine ; QR355 Virology ; CB History of civilization ; C Auxiliary sciences of history (General)
Climate, Environment and Malaria during the Prehistory of Mainland Greece. Interpretations of osteological remains from mainland Greece during the 1960-1980s led to the suggestion that the most virulent form of malaria, Plasmodium falciparum, was prevalent between the Mesolithic and Late Bronze Age (c. 8700 cal. BC-1100 cal. BC). Although disregarded over the past decade, the theory has regained support in recent years from osteological, epidemiological, environmental and DNA studies. However, the presence of this strain of malaria in prehistoric Greece remains controversial. This thesis evaluates 1) the palaeoclimatic conditions of the Aegean between the Mesolithic and Late Bronze Age and 2) the palaeoenvironmental conditions of three archaeological settlements, with the aim of ascertaining whether the climatic and environmental conditions were as conducive for P. falciparum and the mosquito vectors as the osteological evidence suggested. Equal consideration is given to the so-called âlesser strainsâ of malaria, P. vivax and P. malariae, the significance of which is considered to have been underestimated in previous studies.
climate_environment malaria prehistory mainland_greece interpretations osteological remains mainland_greece lead suggestion virulent form malaria prevalent mesolithic late_bronze_age cal cal although disregard theory regain support osteological epidemiological environmental dna study however presence strain malaria prehistoric greece remain controversial evaluates palaeoclimatic condition aegean palaeoenvironmental condition archaeological settlement aim_ascertain whether climatic environmental_condition conducive vector osteological_evidence suggest equal consideration_give so_called lesser strain malaria significance consider underestimated previous_study