The Archaeology of Human Bones

The Archaeology of Human Bones
Author: Simon Mays
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 417
Release: 2002-06-01
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1134687923

The aim of this book is to provide an introduction to what can be learnt from the scientific study of human skeletal remains from archaeological sites.

Human Remains in Archaeology

Human Remains in Archaeology
Author: Charlotte A. Roberts
Publisher: CBA Practical Handbooks
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2018
Genre: Archaeology
ISBN: 9781909990036

This revised and updated 2nd edition of Professor Charlotte Robert's best-selling Practical Handbook provides the very latest guidance on all aspects of the recovery, handling and study of human remains. Professon Roberts is one of the UK's leading experts in bioarchaeology, and is internationally renowned in the field. It begins by asking why we should study human remains, and the ethical issues surrounding their recovery, analysis, curation and display, along with consideration of the current legal requirements for the excavation of such remains in the UK. How people were laid to rest at death is considered, as well as the effect of various factors on their preservation, including the environment. Further chapters give practical advice on the excavation, processing and conservation of human remains, and the recording of data such as age at death, sex, height, and pathological lesions. The author then discusses recent technological advances in the study of human remains, such as stable isotope and ancient DNA analyses. This book, with its extensive bibliography, is essential and fascinating reading for all practitioners and students of bioarchaeology and burial archaeology and is accessible for anyone with an interest in the study of human remains.

The Archaeology of Cremation

The Archaeology of Cremation
Author: Tim Thompson
Publisher: Oxbow Books
Total Pages: 257
Release: 2015-03-31
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1782978496

Human societies have disposed of their dead in a variety of ways. However, while considerable attention has been paid to bodies that were buried, comparatively little work has been devoted to understanding the nature of cremated remains, despite their visibility through time. It has been argued that this is the result of decades of misunderstanding regarding the potential information that this material holds, combined with properties that make burned bone inherently difficult to analyse. As such, there is a considerable body of knowledge on the concepts and practices of inhumation yet our understanding of cremation ritual and practice is by comparison, woefully inadequate. This timely volume therefore draws together the inventive methodology that has been developed for this material and combines it with a fuller interpretation of the archaeological funerary context. It demonstrates how an innovative methodology, when applied to a challenging material, can produce new and exciting interpretations of archaeological sites and funerary contexts. The reader is introduced to the nature of burned human remains and the destructive effect that fire can have on the body. Subsequent chapters describe important cremation practices and sites from around the world and from the Neolithic period to the modern day. By emphasising the need for a robust methodology combined with a nuanced interpretation, it is possible to begin to appreciate the significance and wide-spread adoption of this practice of dealing with the dead.

The Routledge Handbook of Archaeological Human Remains and Legislation

The Routledge Handbook of Archaeological Human Remains and Legislation
Author: Nicholas Marquez-Grant
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Total Pages: 786
Release: 2011-03-21
Genre: Law
ISBN: 1136879560

Methodologies and legislative frameworks regarding the archaeological excavation, retrieval, analysis, curation and potential reburial of human skeletal remains differ throughout the world. As work forces have become increasingly mobile and international research collaborations are steadily increasing, the need for a more comprehensive understanding of different national research traditions, methodologies and legislative structures within the academic and commercial sector of physical anthropology has arisen. The Routledge Handbook of Archaeological Human Remains and Legislation provides comprehensive information on the excavation of archaeological human remains and the law through 62 individual country contributions from Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, South America and Australasia. More specifically, the volume discusses the following: What is the current situation (including a brief history) of physical anthropology in the country? What happens on discovering human remains (who is notified, etc.)? What is the current legislation regarding the excavation of archaeological human skeletal remains? Is a license needed to excavate human remains? Is there any specific legislation regarding excavation in churchyards? Any specific legislation regarding war graves? Are physical anthropologists involved in the excavation process? Where is the cut-off point between forensic and archaeological human remains (e.g. 100 years, 50 years, 25 years...)? Can human remains be transported abroad for research purposes? What methods of anthropological analysis are mostly used in the country? Are there any methods created in that country which are population-specific? Are there particular ethical issues that need to be considered when excavating human remains, such as religious groups or tribal groups? In addition, an overview of landmark anthropological studies and important collections are provided where appropriate. The entries are contained by an introductory chapter by the editors which establish the objectives and structure of the book, setting it within a wider archaeological framework, and a conclusion which explores the current European and world-wide trends and perspectives in the study of archaeological human remains. The Routledge Handbook of Archaeological Human Remains and Legislation makes a timely, much-needed contribution to the field of physical anthropology and is unique as it combines information on the excavation of human remains and the legislation that guides it, alongside information on the current state of physical anthropology across several continents. It is an indispensible tool for archaeologists involved in the excavation of human remains around the world.

Forensic Recovery of Human Remains

Forensic Recovery of Human Remains
Author: Tosha L. Dupras
Publisher: CRC Press
Total Pages: 253
Release: 2005-08-23
Genre: Law
ISBN: 1420037943

An essential reference for both forensic experts and non-experts alike, Forensic Recovery of Human Remains: Archaeological Approaches is a comprehensive guide that focuses on the practical aspects of excavating and recovering human remains, along with any associated evidence, from crime scenes. It highlights the protocols and techniques that ar

The Analysis of Burned Human Remains

The Analysis of Burned Human Remains
Author: Christopher W. Schmidt
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 313
Release: 2011-10-10
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 008055928X

This unique reference provides a primary source for osteologists and the medical/legal community for the understanding of burned bone remains in forensic or archaeological contexts. It describes in detail the changes in human bone and soft tissues as a body burns at both the chemical and gross levels and provides an overview of the current procedures in burned bone study. Case studies in forensic and archaeological settings aid those interested in the analysis of burned human bodies, from death scene investigators, to biological anthropologists looking at the recent or ancient dead. - Includes the diagnostic patterning of color changes that give insight to the severity of burning, the positioning of the body, and presence (or absence) of soft tissues during the burning event - Chapters on bones and teeth give step-by-step recommendations for how to study and recognize burned hard tissues

Human Remains

Human Remains
Author: Margaret Clegg
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Total Pages: 185
Release: 2020-03-12
Genre: Art
ISBN: 1107098386

Highlights the importance of best practice in dealing with human remains, and discusses the key ethical and legal issues.

The Social Archaeology of Funerary Remains

The Social Archaeology of Funerary Remains
Author: Rebecca Gowland
Publisher: Oxbow Books
Total Pages: 329
Release: 2009-04-06
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1782972706

Human bones form the most direct link to understanding how people lived in the past, who they were and where they came from. The interpretative value of human skeletal remains (within their burial context) in terms of past social identity and organisation is awesome, but was, for many years, underexploited by archaeologists. The nineteen papers in this edited volume are an attempt to redress this by marrying the cultural aspects of burial with the anthropology of the deceased.

Found! Human Remains

Found! Human Remains
Author: Mark Skinner
Publisher: Burnaby, B.C. : Archaeology Press, Simon Fraser University
Total Pages: 192
Release: 1983-01-01
Genre: Anthropometry
ISBN: 9780864910356

Bioarchaeology

Bioarchaeology
Author: Debra L. Martin
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 277
Release: 2013-03-15
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1461463785

Bioarchaeology is the analysis of human remains within an interpretative framework that includes contextual information. This comprehensive and much-needed manual provides both a starting point and a reference for archaeologists, bioarchaeologists and others working in this integrative field. The authors cover a range of bioarchaeological methods and theory including: Ethical issues involved in dealing with human remains Theoretical approaches in bioarchaeology Techniques in taphonomy and bone analysis Lab and forensic techniques for skeletal analysis Best practices for excavation techniques Special applications in bioarchaeology With case studies from bioarchaeological research, the authors integrate theoretical and methodological discussion with a wide range of field studies from different geographic areas, time periods, and data types, to demonstrate the full scope of this important field of study.