ABSTRACT
The Black Death, the first outbreak of medieval plague that spread across Western Asia, the Middle East, North Africa and Europe between AD 1346 and 1352, was one of the most devastating recorded catastrophes in human history. This widespread epidemic caused dramatic losses, surpassing those of any subsequent large-scale disaster. This chapter provides some reflections about the future directions that could be taken to expand our understanding of the dynamics of plague epidemics. By examining skeletons, anthropologists can assess the ages at which the people died, their sex and whether they experienced diseases or physiological stress, as well as certain aspects of their diet and physical activities. Bioarchaeological research also holds the potential to provide information on the pre-existing health of plague victims, as evidenced by skeletal lesions related to physiological stress or diseases.
