Skip to main content
Social Sci LibreTexts

12: Bioarchaeology

  1. Last updated
  2. Save as PDF
  • Page ID
    74749

    • \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    Learning Objectives

    By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

    • Explain the types of questions that can be answered by studying human skeletons from archaeological sites
    • Describe the process of studying a human skeleton
    • Explain how archaeologists determine biological sex and gender from an examination of human skeletal remains
    • Articulate how a human skeleton can record information regarding the individual’s work, stresses, and diseases during life

    • 12.1: Introduction to Bioarchaeology
      Bioarchaeology is the study of human skeletons in archaeological sites, which can answer many questions concerning human behavior and ways of life of groups that occupied a site. Bioarchaeologists have extensive training in forensics, osteology (study of bones), and archaeological field methods. They typically study bones, bone fragments, hair, and depressions left by bodies in places like Pompeii, where volcanic ash entombed residents.
    • 12.2: Activity 1 - Bioarchaeology - Burial Practices
      In this activity, you will delve into the most common examples of burial practices used by different cultures.
    • 12.3: Activity 2 - Bioarch in the News
      Bioarchaeology offers incredible insights into the past, providing an intimate portrait of the bodies and lives of past peoples. In this assignment, you have the opportunity to learn more about recent research in bioarchaeology and to select a specific case you would like to learn more about and share what you learn with your classmates.

    This page titled 12: Bioarchaeology is shared under a CC BY-NC license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Amanda Wolcott Paskey and AnnMarie Beasley Cisneros (ASCCC Open Educational Resources Initiative (OERI)) .