Disease and Healing in the Indus Civilisation

Contents

Introduction

Chapter One: The Indus Civilisation

Chronology

Pre-Harappan Phase

Early Harappan (or Pre-Urban) Phase

Mature (or Urban) Harappan Phase

Late Harappan (or Post-Urban) Phase

Climate

Chapter Two: Health and Population

Introduction

Disease, Parasites and Sedentism

Nutrition

Migration

Urbanisation

Women

Children

Health and the Late Harappan Phase

Climate change, health, disease and migration in the Late Harappan Phase

Chapter Three: Disease and Trauma

Childbirth

Congenital and Other Deformities

Infections and Infectious Diseases: an overview

Zoonotic Diseases and Diseases of Agriculture

Tuberculosis

Infections

Tetanus

Leprosy (Hansen’s Disease)

Other Diseases of Urbanisation

Smallpox

Rabies

Ophthalmic Diseases

Metabolic and Nutritional Disease

Environmental Disorders and Famine

Neoplastic Disease

Malaria

Traumatic Injuries

Osteoarthritis and other Degenerative Diseases of Bone

Dental Disease

Conclusion

Chapter Four: Diseases Of Occupation

Physical Stress

Craft Specialisation

Textile Workers

Jute

Metal Workers

Bead Makers

Seal Carvers

Sewer Cleaners

Builders, Carpenters and Bricklayers

Herders

Other Occupations

Chapter Five: Public Health and Sanitation

Water Supply

The Great Bath of Mohenjo-daro

Domestic Bathing and Toilet Facilities

Urban Drainage and Sewage

Other Sites

Discharge

Chapter Six: Healing and Medicine

Healing and Religion

Medical Practice

Dentistry

Medical and Surgical Instruments and Equipment

The Materia Medica

Chapter Seven: Epilogue

Bibliography

About the Author

Professor Robert Arnott is a Fellow of Green Templeton College in the University of Oxford. An archaeologist who specialises in ancient disease and medicine, he is the author or editor of five books and over seventy, mostly single-authored, papers. In recent years, his interest has turned to South Asia, where he frequently travels for his work in modern rural health, and to the study of health, disease and medicine in the Indus Civilisation, 2600-1900 BC and its relationship with the Eastern Mediterranean in prehistory. He is a Fellow of the Royal Asiatic Society.

Reviews

'The monograph is well written and illustrated, with tables and figures. The subject has been extensively researched, as evidenced by the comprehensive reference list and footnotes. The book is attractively presented, a delight to read, and is a serious and scholarly tome. The author has made an outstanding contribution to knowledge of this ancient civilisation.' – Arpan K. Banerjee (2024): Hektoen International