Communities of the living, communities of the dead: hospitals in medieval social life
Paper by Martin Huggon
Given at Surrey Historic Environment Research Framework (SHERF) 2023 conference on November 25, 2023
Abstract: This paper discussed the nature of medical practice and care in the medieval hospitals of England and Wales, and in particular set out the way that archaeology can help us understand how these sites approached health and treatment. The main focus of these sites was less on medical intervention and surgery and more on the physical manifestation of treatment through environment, living conditions, and a religious life. Using a range of sites, the evidence for the intended creation of these physically and spiritually healing spaces is explored, as will how well the results matched this intent. This paper concludes with a discussion on the nature of communities for the living and the dead in these hospitals, in particular how we can see burial at these sites as part of their curative role.
Martin Huggon is a Lecturer in Archaeology and Heritage at Bishop Grosseteste University, where he focuses on the archaeology of later medieval religion, in particular monasteries, hospitals, friaries, and nunneries.
Communities of the living, communities of the dead: hospitals in medieval social life
Paper by Martin Huggon
Given at Surrey Historic Environment Research Framework (SHERF) 2023 conference on November 25, 2023
Abstract: This paper discussed the nature of medical practice and care in the medieval hospitals of England and Wales, and in particular set out the way that archaeology can help us understand how these sites approached health and treatment. The main focus of these sites was less on medical intervention and surgery and more on the physical manifestation of treatment through environment, living conditions, and a religious life. Using a range of sites, the evidence for the intended creation of these physically and spiritually healing spaces is explored, as will how well the results matched this intent. This paper concludes with a discussion on the nature of communities for the living and the dead in these hospitals, in particular how we can see burial at these sites as part of their curative role.
Martin Huggon is a Lecturer in Archaeology and Heritage at Bishop Grosseteste University, where he focuses on the archaeology of later medieval religion, in particular monasteries, hospitals, friaries, and nunneries.
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