Living with the Plague: Life through the Lens of Material Culture and Artifacts

Kelly Lee Cooper

doi:10.21061/ph.v8i0.69

Abstract

Historical research needs to better incorporate material objects and artifacts which help shape one’s understanding of history. Written accounts do not always show the complete picture of life during the bubonic plague; in fact bones and artifacts add further chapters to Western Europe’s story of the plague. From the fourteenth to the seventeenth century, few societies in Europe escaped the devastation of the disease. As a result of plague outbreaks, social changes occurred as people attempted to cope with the epidemic. Many studies reflect how society was affected by the bubonic plague. However, no comprehensive research explores how material objects and archaeological remains reflect the social changes in Europe. Therefore, I first conducted research by delving into first-hand accounts of the period and scholarly investigation describing the significance of primary documents within the larger history of the epidemic . Next, I examined museum collections and published archaeological findings to determine the relationship between first-hand accounts and material objects, and what they reveal about social life during outbreaks of the bubonic plague. In conclusion, the material objects and archaeological finds emphatically told their own tales of life during the outbreaks, and create a better understanding of social changes during the bubonic plague.

Highlights

One of the most profound effects among the society during the years of the bubonic plague in Europe, was the constant presence of death
While records of the bubonic plague exist throughout time, such as the plague of Justinian in the sixth century Byzantine Empire and the nineteenth century outbreak in China, the disease was most influential in society between the fourteenth and the seventeenth century
Artifacts, and archaeological remains reflect social changes in Western Europe from 1348 to 1700 that occurred as a result of plague outbreaks

Summary

Introduction

One of the most profound effects among the society during the years of the bubonic plague in Europe, was the constant presence of death. During the outbreaks of the bubonic plague, burial and death became a part of everyday life and social practices in burying the dead were altered as a result.

Results

Conclusion