Presented by the Kent Family Speaker Series
Speaker: Dr. Sharon DeWitte, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology at the University of South Carolina
In the 14th-century, Afro-Eurasia was struck by a devastating pandemic of bubonic plague, now often called the Black Death, that killed an estimated 30-60% of some affected populations. Dr. DeWitte will discuss her bioarchaeological research, focusing on the skeletal remains of individuals who died before, during, and after the Black Death in London, England. The Black Death in England struck a population that had suffered through decades of recurrent severe famines and increasing social inequality. Dr. DeWitte’s work to date has examined demographic and health trends before and after the 14th-century Black Death in London and has revealed evidence of declines in life expectancies and, by inference, health for people before the Black Death, but improvements in health afterwards.
Dr. DeWitte will highlight future directions in medieval plague bioarchaeology, including analysis of variation in diet and the health of migrants in the context of famine and plague.
This lecture series generously supported by Julie Kent ‘18MS and Scott Kent ‘13.
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This is a hybrid-style event. You can attend in person on UCF’s main campus at MSB 360 or you can participate virtually via Zoom. Registration is required to receive further information to join the talk. Thank you for your understanding.
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