Erika Gal

About the Author

Erika Gal is a distinguished archaeologist and author whose work bridges the ancient world with modern scientific inquiry, particularly in the realm of animal health and history. With a PhD in archaeology from the University of Cambridge, she has spent over two decades excavating sites across Europe and the Middle East, uncovering the hidden stories of human-animal interactions through the lens of disease and domestication. Her groundbreaking book, Shuffling Nags, Lame Ducks: The Archaeology of Animal Disease, meticulously explores how veterinary pathologies in ancient remains reveal insights into early agricultural societies, blending rigorous fieldwork with compelling narrative. Gal's research has been featured in prestigious journals like Nature and Antiquity, and she continues to lecture internationally on the intersections of archaeology, biology, and environmental history, advocating for a deeper understanding of our shared past with animals.