This article emerged as the human species collectively have been experiencing the worst global pandemic in a century. With a long view of the ecological, economic, social, and political factors that promote the emergence and spread of infectious disease, archaeologists are well positioned to examine the antecedents of the present crisis. In this article, we bring together a variety of perspectives on the issues surrounding the emergence, spread, and effects of disease in both the Americas and Afro-Eurasian contexts. Recognizing that human populations most severely impacted by COVID-19 are typically descendants of marginalized groups, we investigate pre- and postcontact disease vectors among Indigenous and Black communities in North America, outlining the systemic impacts of diseases and the conditions that exacerbate their spread. We look at how material culture both reflects and changes as a result of social transformations brought about by disease, the insights that paleopathology provides about the ancient human condition, and the impacts of ancient globalization on the spread of disease worldwide. By understanding the differential effects of past epidemics on diverse communities and contributing to more equitable sociopolitical agendas, archaeology can play a key role in helping to pursue a more just future.

中文翻译：

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在大流行期间寻找考古相关性以及之后发生的事情

这篇文章是在人类集体经历一个世纪以来最严重的全球大流行之际出现的。从长远来看，促进传染病的出现和传播的生态、经济、社会和政治因素，考古学家有能力研究当前危机的前因。在本文中，我们汇集了有关疾病在美洲和非洲-欧亚地区的出现、传播和影响问题的各种观点。认识到受 COVID-19 影响最严重的人群通常是边缘化群体的后代，我们调查了北美土著和黑人社区接触前和接触后的疾病媒介，概述了疾病的系统性影响以及加剧其传播的条件。我们着眼于物质文化如何反映并因疾病带来的社会变革而发生变化，古病理学提供的关于古代人类状况的见解，以及古代全球化对全球疾病传播的影响。通过了解过去流行病对不同社区的不同影响并促进更公平的社会政治议程，考古学可以在帮助追求更公正的未来方面发挥关键作用。