The Ethnoarchaeology of COVID-19: A Viral Snapshot

Summary

This is a poster submission presented at the 2021 annual meeting of the Society for Historical Archaeology.

Ethnoarchaeological methods of data collection and analysis can provide insights into the ways in which people are adapting and responding to the shifting rules, requirements, and regulations established for public safety during the Covid-19 era (March 2020-present). Students in an experiential learning class (ANTH 4970) at Western Michigan University (WMU) in July and August 2020 conducted research to examine various aspects of past and current pandemics in historical and anthropological perspectives. Under Professor Nassaney’s direction, they used participant observation, structured interviews, surveys, online sources, and publicly-accessible data sets to provide a viral snapshot of lived experiences in southwest Michigan and beyond. Here we report on our findings to document: 1) human responses to the virus; 2) forms of compliance and resistance to regulations; and 3) consequences for vulnerable populations.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• 2021 SHA Poster Submissions   •
• Society for Historical Archaeology 2021

Keywords

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology