Pollen, infectious disease and the Black Death with Adam Izdebski
Episode 93 - June 10, 2022
Adam Izdebski (Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History) joins the Infectious Historians to discuss his work at the frontier between pollen and disease, and in particular in light of his recent work analyzing pollen from the time of the Black Death. The conversation begins with an introduction to palynology (pollen analysis) and its limitations. Adam discusses fieldwork as well as a few examples for what pollen can offer us before turning to his research and what his large meta-analysis of pollen sites across Europe found about the Black Death. Adam also touches upon the potential of interdisciplinary work as well as his outreach initiatives, including his project of getting involved with policymaking.
Further Reading
- Izdebski, A., Guzowski, P., Poniat, R. et al. Palaeoecological data indicates land-use changes across Europe linked to spatial heterogeneity in mortality during the Black Death pandemic. Nat Ecol Evol 6, 297–306 (2022).
- Izdebski A., Masi A., Newfield T., The Black Death was not as widespread or catastrophic as long thought – new study, The Conversation Feb 10, 2022.
- Izdebski A. et al. On the use of palynological data in economic history: New methods and an application to agricultural output in Central Europe, 0–2000 AD, Explorations in Economic History, 2016, vol. 59, issue C, 17-39.
- Hamilton, R., Wolfhagen, J., Amano, N. et al. Non-uniform tropical forest responses to the ‘Columbian Exchange’ in the Neotropics and Asia-Pacific. Nat Ecol Evol 5, 1174–1184 (2021).
- The International Panel on Environmental History & Policy.
- Two-minute sediment Coring video
Our Guest
Adam Izdebski
Research Group Leader, Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History
