The importance of pathophysiology to the understanding of functional limitations in the bioarchaeology of care approach.

ABSTRACT

This article presents a partial bioarchaeology of care case study of a mummified adult female with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from late historic period United States. It examines likely clinical and functional impacts of disease and corresponding need for provision of care, stopping short of Stage 4 Interpretation/analysis. The case study illustrates and argues for the importance of an interdisciplinary research team for achieving a comprehensive understanding of disability and care. The article highlights the necessity of knowledge of pathophysiology for identifying the potential interventions (supports) dictated by the associated functional limitations. inter alia, this case is a powerful illustration of the way analysis of preserved soft tissue can provide insights into disease and likely care that are inaccessible using skeletal analysis alone. The article represents an interesting contribution to the theory and methodology of both the bioarchaeology of care approach and mummy studies.