Human Osteology: In Archaeology and Forensic Science

by Edited by Margaret Cox , Simon Mays

• ISBN13: 9780521691468
• ISBN10: 052169146X
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2000-01-04
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press

Summary

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.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Author biographies

Preface

1. Studies on skeletal and dental variation: a view across two centuries Don Brothwell

Section I. Juvenile Health, Growth and Development: Introduction

2. Development and ageing of the juvenile skeleton Louise Scheuer and Sue Black

3. Growth studies of past populations: an overview and an example Louise Humphrey

4. Non-adult palaeopathology: current status and future potential Mary Lewis

Section II. Palaeodemography: Introduction

5. Ageing adults from the skeleton Margaret Cox

6. Ageing from the dentition David Whittaker

7. Problems and prospects in palaeodemography Andrew Chamberlain

8. Sex determination in skeletal remains Simon Mays and Margaret Cox

9. Assessment of parturition Margaret Cox

Section III. Disease in the Past: Introduction

10. Infectious disease in biocultural perspective: past, present and future work in Britain Charlotte Roberts

11. The palaeopathology of joint disease Juliet Rogers

12. The diagnosis of metabolic disease in archaeological bone Megan Brickley

13. Congenital conditions and neoplastic disease in British palaeopathology Trevor Anderson

14. Dental health in British antiquity Chrissie Freeth

15. Chemical methods in palaeopathology Angela Gernaey and David Minnikin

16. An introduction to palaeohistopathology Lynne Bell and Kim Piper

Section IV. Human Variation: Introduction

17. Biodistance studies using craniometric variation in British archaeological skeletal material Simon Mays

18. Skeletal non-metric traits and the assessment of inter- and intra- population diversity: past problems and future potential Andrew Tyrrell

19. Skeletal indicators of handedness James Steele

20. Forensic and archaeological reconstruction of the human face upon the skull Richard Neave

Section V. Assaults on the Skeleton: Introduction

21. Trauma in biocultural perspective: past, present and future work in Britain Charlotte Roberts

22. Evidence for weapon-related trauma in British archaeological samples Anthea Boylston

23. Bone adaptation and its relationship to physical activity in the past Christopher Knü

sel

24. The analysis of cremated bone Jacqueline McKinley

Section VI. Microscopic, Biochemical and Analytical Approaches: Introduction

25. New directions in the analysis of stable isotopes in excavated bones and teeth Simon Mays

26. The chemical degradation of bone Christina Nielsen-Marsh, Angela Gernaey, Gordon Turner-Walker, Robert Hedges, Alistair Pike and Matthew Collins

27. Ancient DNA applications in human osteoarchaeology: achievements, problems and potential Keri Brown

28. Analysing human skeletal data John Robb

29. Forensic osteology in the United Kingdom Sue Black

Index.