Natasha Powers

Victims and survivors: Stable isotopes used to identify migrants from the Great Irish Famine to 19th century London

Historical evidence documents mass migration from Ireland to London during the period of the Great Irish Famine of 1845-52. The rural Irish were reliant on a restricted diet based on potatoes but maize, a C(4) plant, was imported from the United States of America in 1846-47 to mitigate against Famine. In London, Irish migrants joined a population with a more varied diet. To investigate and characterize their diet, carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios were obtained from bone collagen of 119 and hair keratin of six individuals from Lukin Street cemetery, Tower Hamlets (1843-54), and bone collagen of 20 individuals from the cemetery at Kilkenny Union Workhouse in Ireland (1847-51). A comparison of the results with other contemporaneous English populations suggests that Londoners may have elevated δ(15) N compared with their contemporaries in other cities. In comparison, the Irish group have lower δ(15) N. Hair analysis combined with bone collagen allows the reconstruction of perimortem dietary changes. Three children aged 5-15 years from Kilkenny have bone collagen δ(13) C values that indicate consumption of maize (C(4)). As maize was only imported into Ireland in quantity from late 1846 and 1847, these results demonstrate relatively rapid bone collagen turnover in children and highlight the importance of age-related bone turnover rates, and the impact the age of the individual can have on studies of short-term dietary change or recent migration. Stable light isotope data in this study are consistent with the epigraphic and documentary evidence for the presence of migrants within the London cemetery.

The study of anatomy in England from 1700 to the early 20th century

The study of anatomy in England during the 18th and 19th century has become infamous for bodysnatching from graveyards to provide a sufficient supply of cadavers. However, recent discoveries have improved our understanding of how and why anatomy was studied during the enlightenment, and allow us to see the context in which dissection of the human body took place. Excavations of infirmary burial grounds and medical school cemeteries, study of hospital archives, and analysis of the content of surviving anatomical collections in medical museums enables us to re‐evaluate the field from a fresh perspective. The pathway from a death in poverty, sale of the corpse to body dealer, dissection by anatomist or medical student, and either the disposal and burial of the remains or preservation of teaching specimens that survive today in medical museums is a complex and fascinating one.

Archaeological evidence for dental innovation: an eighteenth century porcelain dental prosthesis belonging to Archbishop Arthur Richard Dillon.

During archaeological investigation by Gifford of St Pancras Old Church burial ground, on the eastern edge of Somers Town, London, in advance of construction of the new London terminus for the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, a full porcelain denture was discovered. The high quality porcelain dentures, manufactured in the late eighteenth century French style, may have been brought with their owner, Archbishop Arthur Richard Dillon, on his journey into exile. There is evidence of prolonged use, not only for cosmetic or vocal functions but also in mastication. The dentures are unique archaeological artefacts and represent a pivotal time in dental history, with the adoption of new materials and methods of manufacture. They reflect a period of significant social and economic change for the upper echelons of French society. This paper outlines the development of porcelain dentures, discusses the prosthesis, their owner, and a possible provenance.

Genetic research at a fivefold children's burial from medieval Berlin

Berlin originated from the two twin cities Berlin and Cölln, which both were founded at the beginning of the 13th century. However the real date of their foundation as well as the origin of the first settlers is still unknown. On the Berlin site the historic city center is still visible in the Nikolaiviertel, but the medieval origin of Cölln disappeared almost completely. In 2007 a large scale excavation, which comprised an area of about 1700m(2) of the historical center of the St. Peters church, recovers the remains of Cöllns first citizens and span a period of 500 years of medieval population. Here we present the first genetic analysis of a fivefold childrens burial from excavations in Berlin. The genetic data unveiled next to ancestry and eye color data also the kinship and the gender of the five individuals. Together with the archeological context the new gained information help to shed more light on the possible reasons for this burial.

Resurrection: who is it good for? The price of achievement at the London Hospital

Abstract The London Hospital, located in the heart of the East End, grew in tandem with the industrialization and increasing population of an impoverished area of the capital. It provided care and emergency facilities to employees of local industries amongst others. Archaeological excavations uncovered a forgotten burial ground for poor patients. Osteological and documentary evidence combined to reveal that many of the dead were first given to the hospital medical school for anatomical study. Human dissection no doubt contributed to scientific development within the medical profession, but the practice came with consequences that many at the time found unpalatable. Abstract Résurrection: pour qui est-ce bon? Le prix du succès à l’hôpital de Londres L’Hôpital de Londres, situé au cœur de l’East End de la capitale, s’est développé conjointement à l’industrialisation et l’augmentation de la population de l’une des zones les plus pauvres de Londres. Il fournissait les commodités de soins et d’urgences, en particulier aux employés des industries locales. Les fouilles archéologiques ont permis de mettre au jour un terrain d’inhumation pour les patients pauvres. Le croisement des indices ostéologiques et documentaires révèle que l’école médicale de l’hôpital se procurait de nombreuses dépouilles pour des études anatomiques. Les dissections humaines ont sans aucun doute contribué au développement scientifique de la profession médicale, mais cela ne fut pas sans conséquence dans la perception négative de cette pratique dérangeante. Abstract Auferstehung: für wen ist das gut? Der Preis des Fortschritts in einem Londoner Krankenhaus Das Londoner Krankenhaus, im Herzen von Londons East End gelegen, wuchs gleichzeitig mit der Industrialisierung und zunehmender Bevölkerung in einer der ärmsten Gegenden der Hauptstadt. Es bot unter anderem Angestellten der örtlichen Industrien Pflege und Rettungsmöglichkeiten. Archäologische Grabungen entdeckten einen vergessenen Friedhof für arme Patienten. Knochenkundige und Dokumentare Aussagen zusammen ergaben, dass viele der Toten erst der medizinischen Schule für anatomische Studien gegeben wurden. Menschliche Zergliederung hat sicher ohne Zweifel zur wissenschaftlichen Entwicklung der Anatomie beigetragen, aber diese Praktik hatte seine Konsequenzen, da Viele zu der Zeit das als widerlich empfanden. Abstract La resurrezione: per chi è un bene? Il prezzo dei progressi al London Hospital Il London Hospital, situato nel cuore dell’East End, crebbe di pari passo all’industrializzazione e al crescere della popolazione in un’area povera della capitale. Fra gli altri, ha fornito cure e servizi di emergenza a quanti erano impiegati nelle industrie locali. Gli scavi archeologici hanno portato alla luce un’area sepolcrale dimenticata, dove venivano sepolti i pazienti indigenti. L’uso congiunto di fonti scritte e analisi osteologiche ha messo in evidenza come alcuni dei corpi fossero stati oggetto di studio anatomico presso la scuola medica dell’ospedale prima della sepoltura. Senza dubbio la dissezione umana ha contribuito al progresso della professione medica, ma tale pratica aveva conseguenze tali da essere considerata odiosa da molte persone a quel tempo. Abstract Resucitar: ¿para quién es bueno? El precio del éxito en el Hospital de Londres El Hospital de Londres, situado en el corazón de la zona este de Londres o el East End, creció en tándem con la industrialización y el aumento de la población en una zona pobre de la capital. Proporcionó atención y cuidades de emergencia para, entre otros, los empleados de las industrias locales. Las excavaciones arqueológicas han descubierto un cementerio olvidado para los pacientes pobres. La evidencia documental y osteológica revela que muchos de los fallecidos pasaron primero por la escuela médica del hospital para su estudio anatómico. Sin duda la disección humana contribuyó al desarrollo científico dentro de la profesión médica, pero la práctica tuvo consecuencias que muchos encontraron difíciles de aceptar en aquella época.

Evidence of skeletal treponematosis from the medieval burial ground of St. Mary Spital, London, and implications for the origins of the disease in Europe

Treponematosis is a syndrome of chronic infectious diseases. There has been much debate on its origins and spread, particularly with regard to venereal syphilis, an unsightly and debilitating disease in preantibiotic populations. The osteological analysis of 5,387 individuals excavated by Museum of London Archaeology from the medieval burial ground of St. Mary Spital in London (dated c 1120-1539) provided an unprecedented opportunity to investigate the nature and prevalence of disease over a period of time. Twenty-five individuals were found with suspected treponematosis, originating from all but the earliest period of the burial ground. Descriptions of affected individuals from each period, together with supporting images, are provided. In this work, particular emphasis was given to the distribution of lesions on the skeleton and the variation in patterns by sex and over time. Little change was observed in the distribution of bony change between individuals dated to pre- and post-Columbian periods. However, a dramatic rise in the prevalence of the disease in the final period (c 1400-1539) may reflect documentary reports of a European epidemic from the late 15th century.