The embodied poor: health, care, and survival in early modern Dutch institutions

Introduction In our modern world, the Netherlands is known as one of the leading countries in communal health and social support, with health insurance for all, long-term care, disability and unemployment benefits as well as housing assistance. What are the origins of such a support system? And, if said system existed in the past, does this social response to communal health impact bioarchaeological interpretations? Methods This article will address these questions by combining historical documentation of various forms of social welfare that were available in the early modern period (1600–1850 CE) in the Netherlands and bioarchaeological evidence for severe pathological conditions and longevity. Variation between rural and urban contexts, socioeconomic differentiation, as well as sex differences within and between communities were examined. Results Our results indicate that rural individuals exhibited more frequent pathological conditions, however, they also lived longer than their urban counterparts. Discussion Rural social support was more community-based, which may have been more effective than urban centers that practiced more institutionalized support. Additionally, those of low socioeconomic status were not living as long as their middle-high status counterparts. Our findings suggest that forms of social support and care should be considered, when possible, in bioarcheological studies as they can have a direct impact on health, longevity, as well as quality of life.