Syphilis in Osteological Research

This presentation entails an overview of treponemal infectious diseases with a particular focus on syphilis and its manifestation in skeletal remains. Special focus will be paid to the skeletal responses related to syphilis as discussed in a plethora of osteological research and publication on infectious disease. As both intrinsic and extrinsic factors affect the skeletal response and lived experience involved in contracting syphilis, a sociocultural and historical perspective is presented. Due to the stigma associated with syphilis, in both past and present populations, there has been considerable debate over the origins of this infectious disease. This presentation will conclude with describing the three main hypotheses that have been proposed for the origin of syphilis in osteological research