A Bioarchaeology of Purposeful Pain

Abstract

Philosopher and politician Jeremy Bentham once observed that humans tend to seek pleasure and avoid pain. We examine those who run counter to the norm, exploring self-induced pain to demonstrate that while such individuals are often viewed as “exotic,” the pervasiveness of pain-inducing practices are more normative than expected. Thus, the study of pain requires a holistic approach – crossing cultures, disciplines, and time – and is especially suited to anthropological study. We discuss contributions from various subfields to explore the reasons for and meaning of purposeful pain, using the time depth of bioarchaeology and the sophistication of social theory. Using paleopathological, sociocultural, medical, and neuroanthropological methods, we examine the varied ways purposeful pain is experienced, and its lasting effects. Biologically, pain acts as an adaptive mechanism to prevent harm to an individual, but how it is defined, expressed, and borne is dictated by cultural convention. This chapter explores various theoretical approaches, from embodiment and practice theory to structural violence. We borrow from Foucault, Durkheim, Whitehead, and others to investigate gender, power, marginalization, liminality, identity, and agency. We then discuss changing definitions of pain, as greater emphasis on psychological and cultural effects has been recognized. Individuality of the pain experience is also assessed as affected by past experiences, gender, age, neuroanatomy, and emotional state. Real and semantic differences between pain and suffering are outlined as well. We conclude with an overview of each chapter in the volume and their points of interconnectedness, emphasizing the importance of an integrative anthropological approach to studying quality of life issues among the living and the dead.