Principles of Biological ID

Question 1

Practical steps for resolving commingled assemblages

Answer 1

1. Sort bone/tooth from other debris
2. Sort human from non-human
3. Inventory bones by type or side
4. Examine morphology
5. Can age/sex/ethnicity be determined?
6. Consistency of size, length, robusticity, rugosity, joint surface congruence.
7. Other information: bone colour, surface preservation, density, fragment fit
8. Evidence of duplication

Question 2

Quantification method considerations

Answer 2

MNI
> Skeletal elements must not overlap
> Avoid counting the same individuals twice
> Take the greatest number of skeletons as the estimate.
> Underestimates significantly until the large majority of remains are recovered

MLNI
> Can overestimate individuals
> Generally more accurate in large mixed assemblages

Question 3

Unacceptable practices when dealing with commingling

Answer 3

> Combining based on proximity alone
Not preserving contextual information
Assuming MNI represents actual number
Naive utilization of DNA data
Failing to document sorting process
Using unscientific procedures to sort