Medicine Through TimePre-history

What was Prehistoric Medicine capable of doing?

• Make a list of some of the equipment that modern doctors use to diagnose or treat medical conditions.

• Prehistoric man could NOT treat certain conditions. For example…

• However, prehistoric man could and did perform some medical procedures.

Prehistoric Procedure

• Setting of Bones, Fractures and Dislocations

Prehistoric Procedure

• Treating Burns

Prehistoric Procedure

• Delivering Babies

Prehistoric Procedure

• Trephining

Prehistoric Procedure

• Trephining

Problems with Studying Prehistoric Medicine

• Archaeology and Examination of Artefacts• Compare with existing prehistoric societies

– Aboriginal societies

•No written Evidence•How can we overcome this problem?

Archaeology and Artefacts

Excavation Techniques

Nomadic lifestyleWarriors/huntersKilled away from

Tribe/group

PrehistoricBurial Traditions

Skeletons not always helpful

Problems withArchaeology

Cave Drawing

Medical Equipment used by Aboriginal Peoples

The Role of Shamans or Medicine Men in providing medical care

• Headaches and diseases were blamed on…

• A shaman was the person who…

• Charms were worn to…

Nomadic Lifestyle

• Could be Surprisingly Healthy– Fit and Active lifestyle– Eat fresh food– Little Pollution or Dirt

• Move to new camps

– Low Population Density• Germs

– Little exposure to animals

All change with the Agricultural Revolution

• When humans settled down to grow crops and raise animals their health began to get worse. Can you list why this may have been the case?

Isbister Case Study

• 3,000 BC Prehistoric site found on Orkney.

• Pages 8 - 10

Isbister Case StudyStatement True/False Evidence to support your decision

Osteoarthritis was very common

Women lived longer than men.

Skeletons provide a good source of evidence

Dental health was good

Australian Aborigines are a good source of evidence

Natural remedies were used to treat illnesses

There was no surgical treatment

Bones from tombs are a good source of evidence

Belief systems were not relevant to medicine

Glossary Words

• Trephining

• Abscess

• Osteo-arthiritis

• Ulcer

• Anti-Septic

• Anti-Biotic

• Remedy

Activity

• Questions 1 to 3 on the bottom of page 13.