D. H. SHIN – Notes and Reflections

ISEMPH 2024 Durham, UK (August 7)

"ONE PALEOPATHOLOGY of South Korea and East Asia"

Current Project-1

In history, human disease has not been merely a subject of medical concern, but has also been profoundly shaped by environmental and socio-economic conditions. Over the past several decades, I have conducted scientific research on the history of disease in East Asia through the medical examination of skeletal remains and mummies excavated from archaeological sites. My research is now moving toward a new horizon by systematically reviewing historical literature from the Joseon Dynasty and actively integrating it into the interpretation of archaeological and anthropological findings. This interdisciplinary approach is expected to provide valuable new perspectives and suggest productive directions for future research on Joseon-period tombs, human skeletal remains, and mummies.

Current Project-3

East Asian countries have historically developed through long-standing and extensive interactions and mutual influences. Based on the findings accumulated to date, major developments—such as the adoption of agriculture, the spread of Bronze Age culture, and the formation of early states—can be understood within a broader framework involving population movements and the transmission of domestic animals across East Asia. Archaeological evidence clearly indicates that populations, livestock, and elements of ancient culture originating from major centers of civilization in Asia moved through the Korean Peninsula and eventually reached the Japanese archipelago. Despite this growing body of evidence, however, many aspects of these processes remain insufficiently understood.

Current Project-4

Over the past 25 years, I have conducted research on mummies in South Korea. The results of these studies have been disseminated through academic articles and books and shared widely within the scholarly community. Nevertheless, many important questions concerning East Asian mummies remain unresolved. Much is still unknown about how these mummies were historically formed, how they have been preserved over time, and how they were perceived and treated by contemporary societies. My current work therefore seeks to explore the cultural dimensions of East Asian mummies through a critical review of existing historical scholarship, with particular attention to surviving documentary sources alongside data obtained through our own investigations. Through this project, I hope to provide the academic community with new perspectives on the history and cultural significance of East Asian mummies.