Summary:
Anthropos India Foundation organized a distinguished guest lecture titled ‘Paleopathology at the Beginning of Agriculture: Issues of Adaptation, Cultural Progress: Indian Scenario’ which was delivered by Prof. Subhash R. Walimbe. The lecture by Prof. Subhash R. Walimbe, a retired faculty member of Deccan College Post-Graduate and Research Institute, Pune, is a leading expert in human skeletal biology and bioarchaeology, provided insightful information on the impact of early agriculture on human health, adaptation, and cultural progress in the Indian scenario. The discussion covered the archaeological periods from the Mesolithic to the Iron Age (10,000 BC – 100 BC), exploring the transition from hunter-gatherer lifestyle to settled agricultural societies.
Oster biography:
He began his lecture with a discussion of the Oster biography, which means reading life histories written on bones. He also highlighted the skeleton and burial remains of ancient sites such as Mehrgarh, Inamgaon, etc to comprehend the life history of the ancient population.
Time:
As per the lecture titled, he started with the period from 10,000 BC to 100 BC. All the Mesolithic- Hunter-Gatherer Population, Bronz Age- Harappan Urban Dwellers, Early Agro- Pastoral Neolithic Chalcolithic Population, and the Iron Age Megalithic Builders in ancient human habitation were present between 10000 BC to 100 BC at the Indian subcontinent.
Origin of Agriculture: A Major Milestone in human cultural Evolution history:
The lecture explored the origin of agriculture in the Indian Subcontinent, focusing on how it was a defining moment of human evolution history. This shift led to settled lifestyles, surplus food production, and population growth.
Demographic Observation of Early Agro-Pastoral Populations:
Prof. Walimbe in this section discussed, how transition came in early agricultural communities i.e. population growth and settlement patterns. He talked about the increase in permanent settlement contributed to changes in health and social structure.
Change to Agriculture and its Impact on Health:
In this section, Prof. Walimbe covered, how the shift to agriculture had significant consequences on human health such as Dental issues, Skeletal stress indicators, and others, etc.
Understanding Pathology and Paleopathology:
Prof. Walimbe introduced the concepts of pathology (the study of diseases) and paleopathology (the study of ancient diseases through skeletal remains). He categorized major pathological lesions and anomalies observed in early populations.
Indigenous Health Knowledge Base:
In this section, he discussed how ancient Indian societies developed medical knowledge to combat health challenges.
Medical Text of Proto-Historic and Early Historic Period;
He gave reference to ancient texts and highlighted the emergence of medical knowledge in texts such as the Atharvaveda, Sushruta Samhita, and Ayurveda. These ancient medical texts provided insights into early medical practices and treatments.
Coming to Archaeology: Awareness of Health in the Indus Valley Civilization:
Prof. Walimbe provided archaeological evidence, showing how the Indus Valley civilization had an advanced understanding of health and hygiene. Evidence from the archaeological sites suggests knowledge of sanitation and disease prevention.
The lecture provided insight into how agriculture shaped human health and society, using interdisciplinary research spanning archaeology, anthropology, and medical sciences. The lecture took place via Zoom online where 52 people participated with high enthusiasm and on YouTube Live 28 people joined. Attendees were from institutes all over India like IIT Gandhinagar, JNU, University of Delhi, Punjab University, Utkal University, Pondicherry University, Deccan College, West Bengal State University, Northeastern Hill University, etc. These were students, research scholars, and professors.
