Bioarchaeology: An Introduction to the Archaeology and Anthropology of the Dead

Bioarchaeology provides an accessible introduction to the history and general theory of human remains in context from an archaeological and anthropological perspective, as well as their recovery and laboratory treatment.

Since the first edition, there have been new developments in several areas and this volume provides readers with updated coverage of this fast moving field. Updates include information on new methodological approaches such as modelling approaches for reconstructing infant breastfeeding and weaning and childhood diet from serial samples of tooth dentin as well as new approaches to paleodemography, biological sex estimation, ancient DNA, new forensic anthropology methods, and new archaeological data from newly reported sites. Through numerous case studies the book explores how the ways a society deals with their dead can reveal a great deal about that society, including its religious, political, economic, and social organizations. It details recovery methods and how, once recovered, human remains can be analyzed to reveal details about the funerary system of the subject society and inform on a variety of other issues, such as health, demography, disease, workloads, mobility, sex and gender, and migration. The book concludes with contemporary applications, highlighting how bioarchaeological techniques can be used in contemporary forensic settings and in investigations of genocide and war crimes.

Theories, principles, and scientific techniques are set out in a comprehensive and understandable fashion making this book an excellent introduction to bioarchaeology for students of archaeology at undergraduate and graduate levels.