Patterns of infectious disease in ancient Brazilian groups: The role of different environments and demographic parameters

Abstract

In the last 200ka, humans have explored and adapted to a changing world. Environmental challenges faced by humans today, like emergent pathogens and overpopulation, are not that different from the ones in the past. This article aims to discuss the patterns of disease observed in ancient human populations from southeastern and southern Brazil (hunter-gatherer groups associated to riverine and coastal shellmounds and agriculturalists associated to the Tupiguarani archaeological Tradition). The role of new pathogens and high demographic density will be discussed, as well as the interpretations regarding the frequencies of chronic infectious diseases that affect bones. We will also present the importance of understanding patterns of health and disease in past human populations in order to address present day scenarios related to climate change, vulnerable populations, and disease. Warning: This article discusses and presents images of ancient human remains. While we acknowledge that this can be a sensitive topic, we would like to stress the importance of studying and generating knowledge about past human populations which otherwise would be completely unknown and forgotten.