Diseased Ancestors

In this book the main emphasis is given to diseased people as reflected in art objects from archaic societies. The book is contrasting ancient portraits of diseased persons with modern medical images of certain illnesses. Attention will also be paid to the differences in knowledge about health conditions and therapeutic interventions. Besides some paleolithic findings and biblical sources the main emphasis will be on art objects from pre-Columbian American societies (Inca, Aztec, Olmec etc). Furthermore, easily digestible scientific speculations are presented. This book is written for a readership with interest in cultural, historic or artistic aspects of medicine

Iván L. Bonta received a medical education, followed by postgraduate training in pharmacology at the University of Budapest in Hungary and came in 1956 as a refugee to The Netherlands. He was during 22 years Professor and Chairman of Pharmacology at the Medical School of the Erasmus University Rotterdam. Having been visiting professor in Latin American countries he became fascinated in pre-Columbian statuettes which resemble the phenomenology of diseases. Specimens of his private collection of pre-Columbian figurines are shown as illustrations in this book.