Why do we lose bone mass? Social and temporal dynamics of a silent disease. (2025-2029)

This project aims to address why modern human bones are weak and lose mass easily. By applying a first-ever social and evolutionary framework alongside classic microscopy and state-of-the-art particle accelerator methods to ancient and modern skeletons from England and Australia, this project aims to assess how fundamental cell mechanisms that build and destroy bone have responded to social changes over the last millennium. Expected outcomes include identifying interdisciplinary theories about how social hierarchies influence bone quality. Future benefits include aiding in the assessment of how social disadvantage and evolution affect the incidence of bone diseases, critical for developing wellbeing strategies in Australia and beyond.