Nonhuman Animal Paleopathology—Are We so Different?

Abstract This chapter provides a comparative perspective on the paleopathology of humans and non-human animals. It begins by considering the challenges of zooarcheological paleopathology, describing the difficulties associated with the nature of the archeological record and issues that are linked to disciplinary practices. A summary of the research questions that have been addressed within zooarcheological paleopathology provides a jumping off point for consideration of areas of departure and commonality. Areas of departure are highlighted at three different scales (lesion, individual, and population) and include: physiological, environmental, and behavioural differences; taxonomic variability in pathogenesis; questions asked about the material; recording practices; and interpretative challenges. Areas of commonality focus upon the interpretative benefits of a better understanding of the interconnectivity between people, animals, pathogens, and their environments, in the past as well as in terms of methods and interpretative approaches. The chapter concludes by championing the benefit of a comparative paleopathological approach, particularly in the study of the evolutionary history of disease.