Bioarchaeology
For week eight's lesson we discussed Bioarchaeological Approaches to the Past. I was looking forward to this discussion since I have always had a fascination with forensic science. Bioarchaeology is the study of the human biological component evident in the archaeological record. We discussed how King Richard III (not the Lion Heart) were discovered under a Leicester parking lot in England. Through an analysis of the bones and comparing skeletal injuries with known deformities and cause of death, along with DNA verification scientists were able to positively identify the remains. We discussed Osteology which is the study of bone. We discussed how the human pelvis can be used to identify the sex of the individual due to the shape of the Sciatic Notch, which is wider in females due to child birth. We also discussed how the femur is the best bone for computing stature, and weight can be calculated because dry weight is about 25-30% of live weight. We discussed Paleopathology which is the study of ancient patters of disease and disorders to identify cancer and iron deficiency anemia. Enamel Hypoplasias can be used to determine diet deficiencies and some diseases such as measles. We finished the lesson talking about Otzi the Iceman who was located in 1991 by hikers on the Italy and Austria border. He is the oldest fully preserved human body, and he was found with his clothing and equipment.
Digging up the Dead
Pearce, J. (2019, Nov 1) Digging up the Dead https://www.sapiens.org/archaeology/mortuary-archaeology/
This article discusses the morality and ethics of digging up human remains in the name of archaeology. The author is attending a mortuary archaeology field school in Poland and questions how other cultures around the world treat and handle their dead. It wasn't until the 1960's in the United States that archaeologist developed ethical guidelines and not until the 1990's where actual federal law was passed regarding Native American remains and cultural items. This has led to less invasive methods being developed to gain the archaeological knowledge without physical disruption. Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) has become a essential tool for locating lost grave sites, especially from the Holocaust where Jewish law forbids the disturbing of graves.
The key takeaway from this article is, if for some reason archaeologists must disturb human remain that the utmost respect needs to be adhered to. It boils down to perception, if you are not respectful and professional with the handling of these individuals then what is the difference between archaeology and grave robbing. As stated earlier, Jewish law prohibits the disturbing of graves, but in the 18th century the French dug up overfilled grave yards and staked the bones in catacombs under Paris. How do we know what these lost cultures beliefs and practices were? We don't, but we can be as respectful as possible.
Why This Paleolithic Burial Site Is So Strange (and So Important)
Surugue, L. (2018, February 22) Why This Paleolithic Burial Site Is So Strange (and So Important) https://www.sapiens.org/archaeology/paleolithic-burial-sunghir/
This article discusses the Sunghir burial site in Russia, just east of Moscow. It is the earliest example of European elaborate Homo sapiens burial. This site dates back to the Upper Paleolithic Era and since the 1960's at least 10 individuals have been identified. An adult male and two children were discovered adorned in elaborate mammoth tusk beads and other items. What makes the site so important is there are at least three different forms of burial all dating from around the same period. While the adorned individuals look to be buried, there were remains discoved that appear to have just been left on the ground.
I found it interesting that the individuals that were adorned with jewelry all suffered from some type of physical abnormality. Usually elaborate burial would mean someone of power or influence, not physical deformity. Professor Paul Pettitt states that elaborate burials were not normal during this time and the adorment is a ritualistic act for individuals that stood out because of how they looked or perhaps how they died.
New study reveals harsh realities of childhood in the Pre-Columbian Andes
Oyster, S. (2025, February 8) New study reveals harsh realities of childhood in the pre-Columbian Andes https://phys.org/news/2025-02-reveals-harsh-realities-childhood-pre.html
This article discusses a study that was published by Dr. Luiz Pezo-Lanfranco on child mortality at the Quebrada Chupacigarro Cemetery in the Central Andes. They found that individuals buried there from the Middle Formative to Late Formative Period (500-400 B.C.) showed a high prevalence of health-disease processes likely due to high population density, poor sanitation, and nutritional deficiencies. The cemetery is located on top of Cerro Mulato and along the Supe River. 67 exceptionally preserved human burial were discovered with 47 of those being children under the age of eight. Little is know about children of the time since the skeletons are very fragile and rarely last against time. This cemetery has provided an opportunity to examine the paleopathology of preadults in prehistoric Peru.
I found the article interesting because it covered most of the terms that we discussed in this weeks lecture. They used bone markers such as cribra orbitalia (eye-socket lesions linked with anemia), porotic hyperostosis (skull bone porosity linked with anemia), periosteal reactions (new bone formation caused by infection or inflammation, and linear enamel hypoplasia (arrested tooth growth due to periords of intense stress or trauma. All of these conditions can be linked to over population and lack of food, possible drinking contaminated water due to up river settlements, and even weather events such as El Nino.
Comments
Post a Comment