title: Substance and materiality? The archaeology of Talensi medicine shrines and medicinal practices.
abstract: Talensi materia medica is varied, encompassing plant, mineral, and animal substances. Healing, medicines, and medicinal practices and knowledge can be shrine-based and linked with ritual practices. This is explored utilising ethnographic data and from an archaeological perspective with reference to future possibilities for research both on Talensi medicine and, by implication, more generally through considering the archaeology of Talensi medicine preparation, use, storage, spread, and disposal. It is suggested that configuring the archaeology of medicine shrines and practices more broadly in terms of health would increase archaeological visibility and research potential.
authors.affiliation: Archaeology, School of Arts, Histories, and Cultures, University of Manchester, UK. Tim.Insoll@manchester.ac.uk
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Insoll
mesh_terms: D001106:Archaeology; D002562:Ceremonial Behavior; D005260:Female; D005869:Ghana; D049691:History, Medieval; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016488:Medicine, African Traditional; D010946:Plants, Medicinal; D012068:Religion and Medicine