Chapter 8 Flashcards
What is bioarchaeology?
The study of human remains
Can we determine animal from human remains?
Yes, it is easy to distinguish between human and faunal remains
How can we determine the minimum number of individuals present in a burial?
In cases of fragmentary multiple burials or cremations, the minimum number of individuals can be assessed from the part of the body that is most abundant. Even small fragments may include diagnostic features by which human beings can be recognized.
What are the samples we have to work with in bioarchaeology? (Bones)
Preserves well in non acidic dry conditions. In primary burials(the remains are left where they were buried) the bones are articulated where in secondary burials( the remains are moved from one location to another) the bones are not articulated.
Sex: The bones are good for determining sex by the sexual dimorphism of the skull and the pelvis. It is difficult to determine the sex of child remains
Age: can be determined by bone but the exact age cannot be determined. Age can also be determined by how much the Epiphyses are fused, the femur, clavicle, and the skull.
Height: can also be determined by the length of the long bones like the femur, tibia, Ulna, Humerus.
Disease and trauma: can be determined by the bones.
Broken bones- healed or not
Labor: is identified in the bones. The activities that are repeated over time affect the bones.
Diet: Malnutrition and poor diet affect the bones development and integrity. This can be detected by x-rays and carbon nitrogen isotopes.
Social Status: body modifications that affect the bones
What are the samples we have to work with in bioarchaeology? (Teeth)
Survives well in archaeological records because of the hard enamel
Age: the best indicator of age, through teeth eruption and tooth wear. The tooth enamel growth lines help determine age as well.
Diet: you can determine what a person eats by their teeth. Looking at the teeth’s development, decay, and wear.
Social Status: teeth modifications
Relatability: some traits are genetic, so through dental morphology you can determine relatability
Migration: through strontium and oxygen isotopes it can be determine where someone was born or moved to.
What are the samples we have to work with in bioarchaeology? (Soft Tissue)
Preserves well in... Very dry climate Very wet climate Very cold climate Embalming and mummification
What else can you see from soft tissue?
Disease and trauma:
X-rays
CT Scans
MRIs
Body decorations:
Tattoos
Piercings
Sex:
Primary characteristics
Secondary characteristics
Facial reconstruction
Relatability:
aDNA
Blood Groups
