Title Page

Copyright Page

Contents

Preface to the Third Edition

Preface to the First Edition

Notes on Contributors

Part I Theory and Application in Studies of Past Peoples

Chapter 1 Bioarchaeological Ethics: Perspectives on the Use and Value of Human Remains in Scientific Research

Introduction

The history of beliefs about the dead

The history of research on human remains

The sources of skeletal collections

The value of human skeletal remains

Ethical responsibilities of skeletal biologists

Sources of conflict over questions of descendant rights

Resolving conflicts and finding mutually beneficial outcomes

References

Chapter 2 Forensic Anthropology: Methodology and Applications

Historical development

Relationship of forensic anthropology to skeletal biology

Theoretical issues

The Forensic Data Bank

Evidence recovery

Nonhuman versus human remains

Age at death

Sex (not gender [Walker and Cook, 1998])

Ancestry

Living stature

Facial approximation

Photographic superimposition

Time since death

Positive identification

Molecular approaches

Evidence of foul play

Future prospects

Case study

References

Chapter 3 Taphonomy and the Nature of Archaeological Assemblages

Taphonomy as Assemblage History

Mortuary Programs and the Archaeological Record

Archaeological Recovery of Human Remains

Extrinsic Factors in Bone Preservation

Intrinsic Factors in Bone Preservation: Size, Shape, Density

Preservation, Bone Density, and Children in the Bioarchaeological Record

Preservation and Paleopathology

Animal Modification of Human Bone

Documenting Assemblages: Context, Preservation, Demography, Deposition

Human Agents and Human Intentions in Bone Modification

Interpreting Taphonomy

Conclusion

References

Part II Morphological and Developmental Analyses

Chapter 4 Children in Bioarchaeology: Methods and Interpretations

Introduction

Preservation

Sex determination

Age estimation

Growth and development

Pediatric Palaeopathology

Future directions

Conclusions

Acknowledgements

References

Chapter 5 Histomorphometry of Human Cortical Bone: Applications to Age Estimation

Introduction

The Physiologic Basis for Histomorphometric Age-Estimation Techniques: Bone Modeling and Remodeling

Cortical Bone Histomorphology and Age Estimation

Effects of Intrinsic and Extrinsic Variability on Histomorphometric Age Estimates

Evaluation of Histological Age Estimation Methods

Conclusions: Future Directions and Considerations in Histological Age Estimation

References

Appendix A: Worked Examples of Two Age Estimation Methods

Appendix B: Profile of selected age-estimation methods

Chapter 6 Biomechanical Analyses of Archaeological Human Skeletons

“Wolff’s Law” And Bone Functional Adaptation

Methods for Analyzing Long-Bone Diaphyseal Structure

Evolutionary Trends in Long Bone Robusticity

Variation within Recent Human Populations

Variation within Individuals

Conclusions and Future Directions

References

Chapter 7 Incremental Structures in Teeth: Keys to Unlocking and Understanding Dental Growth and Development

Introduction

Background

Dental Anatomy and the Histology of Tooth Growth

Dental Microstructural Growth Markers

Preparing Teeth for Histological Examination

Age Estimation and Timing of Developmental Events

Noninvasive Estimates Utilizing Perikymata

Using Short-Period and Long-Period Markers

Applications and Challenges

Other Histological Approaches

Conclusions and Future Research Directions

Acknowledgements

References

Chapter 8 Dental Morphology

Introduction

A Bit of History

Fundamental Issues

Methods

Population Studies

Concluding Thoughts

References

Part III Prehistoric Health and Disease

Chapter 9 Dental Pathology

Introduction

Defects of dental development in the enamel of the tooth crown

Tooth wear: chipping and fractures

Plaque-related diseases

The place of dental palaeopathology in archaeology

Suggested scoring schemes for caries and periodontal disease

References

Chapter 10 Analysis and Interpretation of Trauma in Skeletal Remains

Introduction

Ossification of Soft Tissues

Extrinsically induced abnormal shape or contour

Skull fractures

Facial fractures

Fractures of flat and irregular bones

Long bone fractures

Blunt and sharp force trauma

Fracture healing

Interpreting the cause of injury

Acknowledgments

References

Chapter 11 Understanding Bone Aging, Loss, and Osteoporosis in the Past

Introduction

Growth, Aging and Bone Loss

Sorting out the Influences on Bone Maintenance in the Past

Unique Challenges to Diagnosis in Archaeological Populations

Future Directions: What Bone Loss in the Past Really Means

References

Chapter 12 Infectious and Metabolic Diseases: A Synergistic Relationship

Introduction

Methods of Analysis for Metabolic and Infectious Diseases

Synergistic Relationships Between Metabolic and Infectious Diseases

Conclusions

Acknowledgements

References

Chapter 13 Paleopathology: From Bones to Social Behavior

Introduction

Foundations of Paleopathology

Infering Behavior from Bones

Looking Toward the Future

References

Part IV Chemical and Genetic Analyses of Hard Tissues

Chapter 14 Stable Isotope Analysis: A Tool for Studying Past Diet, Demography, and Life History

Introduction

Basic Concepts of Stable Isotope Variation

Mass Spectrometry

Application of Stable Isotope Analysis to Selected Problems in Skeletal Biology

Residence and Migration Studies

A Day without Stable Isotopes: What has their Use Added to Our Knowledge?

Acknowledgements

References

Chapter 15 Strontium Isotopes and the Chemistry of Bones and Teeth

The Mineral Fraction of Hard Tissues

Strontium Isotopes

Applications in Biological Anthropology

References

Chapter 16 Ancient DNA Analysis of Archaeological Remains

Introduction

Methods

Case Examples

Conclusions and Future Prospects

References

Part V Quantitative Methods and Population Studies

Chapter 17 Traditional Morphometrics and Biological Distance: Methods and an Example

Background

Metric Analyses

Model-Bound and Model-Free Approaches

Assumptions of Multivariate Data

Classic Multivariate Statistical Procedures

An Example

Conclusions and Future Directions

Acknowledgments

References

Chapter 18 Paleodemography: Problems, Progress, and Potential

Introduction

Point–Counterpoint

Stories Skeletons can Tell

Skeletons as a Sample of Deaths

Measurement Concerns

Analytical Concerns

Paleodemography and Related Fields

Conclusion

Acknowledgments

References

Index

EULA