Chemical Analysis of Prehistoric Human Bone from Five Temporally Distinct Populations in Southern Ontario

Chemical Analysis of Prehistoric Human Bone from Five Temporally Distinct Populations in Southern Ontario
Author: Mary Anne Katzenberg
Publisher: University of Ottawa Press
Total Pages: 166
Release: 1984-01-01
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 1772821225

Human and animal bones from four prehistoric and protohistoric Woodland sites in southern Ontario were analysed for a number of chemical elements using x-ray fluorescence spectrometry. The trace element strontium was the principal element of interest. Quantitative data were also obtained for zirconium, yttrium and rubidium. A subset of human and animal bones was analysed for calcium, phosphorus, silicon, aluminum, iron, manganese, titanium, magnesium and potassium. Soil samples from each site were analysed for all of the aforementioned elements.

Prehistoric Human Bone

Prehistoric Human Bone
Author: Joseph B. Lambert
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 332
Release: 2013-04-09
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 3662028948

Locked up within human bone are tantalizing clues concerning the diets consumed by ancient peoples. On the one hand the amounts of certain elementsin bone (strontium, zinc) serve as measures of protein, fiber, and calcium intake. On the other hand, the ratios of carbon isotopes and of nitrogen isotopes provide information on questions of fish vs. meat, herbivore vs. carnivore, or (for animals) browser (shrubs) vs. grazer (grasses). Such information can provide a window on many aspects of prehistoric cultures and can supplement the nonskeletal archaeological record. In addition to these two approaches, the biochemical record in bone from protein and nucleic acids such as DNA serves as a source of nondietary information such as genetic relationships. This volume treats all three subjects.: elemental, isotopic, and biochemical. The foremost experts in the areas provide fundamental descriptions of the techniques, express their concerns over the limitations of the methods, and describe recent applications to archaeological studies.

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

Handbook of Paleoanthropology

Handbook of Paleoanthropology
Author: Winfried Henke
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 2057
Release: 2007-05-10
Genre: Science
ISBN: 3540324747

This 3-volume handbook brings together contributions by the world ́s leading specialists that reflect the broad spectrum of modern palaeoanthropology, thus presenting an indispensable resource for professionals and students alike. Vol. 1 reviews principles, methods, and approaches, recounting recent advances and state-of-the-art knowledge in phylogenetic analysis, palaeoecology and evolutionary theory and philosophy. Vol. 2 examines primate origins, evolution, behaviour, and adaptive variety, emphasizing integration of fossil data with contemporary knowledge of the behaviour and ecology of living primates in natural environments. Vol. 3 deals with fossil and molecular evidence for the evolution of Homo sapiens and its fossil relatives.

Ortner's Identification of Pathological Conditions in Human Skeletal Remains

Ortner's Identification of Pathological Conditions in Human Skeletal Remains
Author: Jane E. Buikstra
Publisher: Academic Press
Total Pages: 859
Release: 2019-01-29
Genre: Law
ISBN: 0128099011

Ortner's Identification of Pathological Conditions in Human Skeletal Remains, Third Edition, provides an integrated and comprehensive treatment of the pathological conditions that affect the human skeleton. As ancient skeletal remains can reveal a treasure trove of information to the modern orthopedist, pathologist, forensic anthropologist, and radiologist, this book presents a timely resource. Beautifully illustrated with over 1,100 photographs and drawings, it provides an essential text and material on bone pathology, thus helping improve the diagnostic ability of those interested in human dry bone pathology. - Presents a comprehensive review of the skeletal diseases encountered in archaeological human remains - Includes more than 1100 photographs and line drawings illustrating skeletal diseases, including both microscopic and gross features - Based on extensive research on skeletal paleopathology in many countries - Reviews important theoretical issues on how to interpret evidence of skeletal disease in archaeological human populations

Biogeochemical Approaches to Paleodietary Analysis

Biogeochemical Approaches to Paleodietary Analysis
Author: Stanley H. Ambrose
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 284
Release: 2006-04-18
Genre: Social Science
ISBN: 0306471949

The study of human diet brings together reseachers from diverse backgrounds ranging from modern human nutrition and biochemistry to the geochemistry of fossilized bones and teeth. The contributions to this volume grow out of the Fourth Advanced Seminar on Paleodiet and provide a forum for scholars with common interests to discuss the latest advances and interpretations and chart future directions for paleodietry research.

Stable Isotopes in Ecological Research

Stable Isotopes in Ecological Research
Author: P.W. Rundel
Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media
Total Pages: 536
Release: 2012-12-06
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1461234980

The analysis of stable isotope ratios represents one of the most exciting new technical advances in environmental sciences. In this book, leading experts offer the first survey of applications of stable isotope analysis to ecological research. Central topics are - plant physiology studies - food webs and animal metabolism - biogeochemical fluxes. Extensive coverage is given to natural isotopes of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and strontium in both terrestrial and marine ecosystems. Ecologists of diverse research interests, as well as agronomists, anthropologists, and geochemists will value this overview for its wealth of information on theoretical background, experimental approaches, and technical design of studies utilizing stable isotope ratios.

Bones of the Maya

Bones of the Maya
Author: Stephen L. Whittington
Publisher: University of Alabama Press
Total Pages: 307
Release: 2006-08-20
Genre: History
ISBN: 0817353763

Includes an indexed bibliography of the first 150 years of Maya osteology. This volume pulls together a spectrum of bioarchaeologists that reveal remarkable data on Maya genetic relationship, demography, and diseases.

Paleoethnobotany, Third Edition

Paleoethnobotany, Third Edition
Author: Deborah M Pearsall
Publisher: Left Coast Press
Total Pages: 514
Release: 2015-09
Genre: Science
ISBN: 1611322995

This new edition of the definitive work on doing paleoethnobotany brings the book up to date by incorporating new methods and examples of research, while preserving the overall organization and approach of the book to facilitate its use as a textbook. In addition to updates on the comprehensive discussions of macroremains, pollen, and phytoliths, this edition includes a chapter on starch analysis, the newest tool in the paleoethnobotanist's research kit. Other highlights include updated case studies; expanded discussions of deposition and preservation of archaeobotanical remains; updated historical overviews; new and updated techniques and approaches, including insights from experimental and ethnoarchaeological studies; and a current listing of electronic resources. Extensively illustrated, this will be the standard work on paleoethnobotany for a generation.