Osteology For The Archaeologist

This comparative analysis aids the fieldworker in identifying fossil proboscidean bones from early man sites. It also describes the skulls, mandibles, and posteranial skeletons of forty families of birds frequently found in archaeological excavations in the United States.

This advanced textbook provides the reader with an up-to-date account of recent developments and future potential in the study of human skeletons from both an archaeological and forensic context. It is well-illustrated, comprehensive in its coverage and is divided into six sections for ease of reference, encompassing such areas as palaeodemography, juvenile health and growth, disease and trauma, normal skeletal variation, biochemical and microscopic analyses and facial reconstruction. Each chapter is written by a recognised specialist in the field, and includes in-depth discussion of the reliability of methods, with appropriate references, and current and future research directions. It is essential reading for all students undertaking osteology as part of their studies and will also prove a valuable reference for forensic scientists, both in the field and the laboratory.

Introduction. Bone Biology. Anatomical Terminology. Skull. Dentition. Hyoid and Vertebrae. Thorax: Sternum and Ribs. Shoulder Girdle: Clavicle and Scapula. Arm: Humerus, Radius, Ulna. Hand: Carpals, Metacarpals, and Phalanges. Pelvic Girdle: Sacrum, Coccyx, and Os Coxae. Leg: Femur, Patella, Tibia, and Fibula. Foot: Tarsals, Metatarsals, and Phalanges. Recovery, Preparation, and Curation of Skeletal Remains. Analysis and Reporting of Skeletal Remains. Ethics in Osteology. Assessment of Age, Sex, Stature, Ancestry, and Identity. Osteological and Dental Pathology. Postmortem Skeletal Modification. The Biology of Skeletal Populations: Discrete Traits, Distance, Diet, Disease, and Demography. Molecular Osteology. Forensic Case Study: Homicide: "We Have the Witnesses but No Body." Forensic Case Study: Child Abuse, The Skeletal Perspective. Archaeological Case Study: Anasazi Remains from Cottonwood Canyon. Paleontological Case Study: The Pit of the Bones. Paleontological Case Study: Australopitheus Mandible from Maka, Ethiopia. Appendix: Photographic Methods and Provenance. Glossary. Bibliography. Index.

Most archaeologists and bioarchaeologists receive little or no training in the recognition of skeletal remains of fetuses, infants, and children. Yet many research sites may contain such materials. Without a framework for identifying the bones or the excavation techniques suited to their recovery, archaeologists may often overlook subadult skeletal remains or even confuse them with animal bones. The Osteology of Infants and Children fills the need for a field and lab manual on this important topic and provides a supplemental textbook for human osteology courses. Focusing on juvenile skeletons, their recovery and identification, and siding in both field and lab settings, the volume provides basic descriptions and careful illustrations of each skeletal element at varying stages of development, along with sections on differentiation from other bones and siding tips. The book offers detailed treatment of the skull and teeth, including the cranial vault and facial bones, and examines the infracranial skeleton: vertebrae, pelvis, chest, shoulders, arms, hands, legs, and feet. A quick reference guide explains age estimation and identification templates. The illustrations are enhanced by photographs from two recent archaeology projects in Egypt, at Abydos and Dakhleh Oasis. The extensive collection of fetal and child remains from these sites provides new reference material unavailable in previous publications, making this manual an unparalleled resource in the field of physical anthropology.

Human Osteology A Laboratory and Field Manual is the classic manual of the human skeleton by preeminent forensic anthropologist and founder of the Human Body Farm, Dr. William M. Bass. It describes all 206 bones of the human adult body. This publication remains a favorite reference and text for identifying human skeletal remains and for providing estimations of age, sex, stature or height, and race. A library and personal bookshelf must for those in the fields of archaeology, bioanthropology, physical anthropology, human osteology and human anatomy, and forensic science. This affordable text is used at colleges and universities throughout the world. Special Publication No. 2 of the Missouri Archaeological Society. Contains 203 illustrations and 64 tables, appendices, references, and index (xviii + 366 pp).