Cliodynamica by Peter Turchin

Two Millennia of European History Written on Bones

The European History of Health Project has assembled a massive anthropometric database, analyzing over 15,119 skeletons from more than a hundred archaeological sites across Europe. By digitizing bone measurements, the initiative creates a longitudinal record spanning two millennia, enabling continent‑wide studies of physical development. The blog focuses on stature as a key health indicator, illustrating how average height reflects nutrition, disease burden and socioeconomic conditions. Future posts will explore additional insights derived from the skeletal data.