ANTHROP 1AA3 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Paleopathology, Putrefaction, Biological Anthropology
4 Jul 2017
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Document Summary
What is bioarchaeology: study of the human skeleton in an archaeological context. Mobility: look for patterns within and between populations. How do we look at health: palaeopathology. Study of health and disease in past populations: only those conditions that leave traces on the skeleton, patterns of illness and disease (relate to cultural aspects) Bioarchaeology: life in the past, patterns of diet, health, disease. Process of preservation: preservation is affected by: Certain soils (eg sedimentary, volcanic ash, sand) Process of decomposition: breakdown & destruction of organic tissues, autolysis. Degeneration of body tissues by digestive uids: putrefaction. Bacteria reproduce & start to consume tissues, muscles, etc. Factors affecting decomposition: most to least important, temperature, humidity, access by insects, burial & depth of burial (or immersion in water, carnivore & rodent activity, trauma, clothing. The forensic anthropologist: phd in biological anthropology, involved in research, recovery, and analysis, humans remains that are:
