Albinism in the Ancient Mediterranean World

The discovery of DNA in the 20th century and recent biomedical research into the human genome in Southern Africa have shed much light on the diagnostic, epidemiological, and sociological aspects of albinism. Less attention has been given to the historical evidence for the condition and its religious...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal for the study of religion
Main Author: Hilton, John L. 1952- (Author)
Format: Electronic Article
Language:English
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Published: ASRSA 2021
In: Journal for the study of religion
Standardized Subjects / Keyword chains:B Mediterranean area / Antiquity / Albinos and albinism / Holiness
IxTheo Classification:AD Sociology of religion; religious policy
AG Religious life; material religion
BE Greco-Roman religions
ZA Social sciences
Further subjects:B Albinism
B Ancient Mediterranean
B Conception
B Astral cults
B Sacrifice
B the sacred
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Description
Summary:The discovery of DNA in the 20th century and recent biomedical research into the human genome in Southern Africa have shed much light on the diagnostic, epidemiological, and sociological aspects of albinism. Less attention has been given to the historical evidence for the condition and its religious context, especially in the ancient Mediterranean World. This article assembles the meagre evidence for albinism in antiquity and investigates to what extent it was treated as "sacred".
ISSN:2413-3027
Contains:Enthalten in: Journal for the study of religion
Persistent identifiers:DOI: 10.17159/2413-3027/2021/v34n1a1