ANT334H5 Chapter Notes - Chapter 1: Forensic Anthropology, Osteology, Paleontology
Document Summary
Human osteology: the study of human bones. The context can be ancient and purely paleontological, as with the pliocene pre-cultural hominids of africa. The context can be relatively recent, part of an archaeological record. Archaeologists concentrate on cultural residues of former human occupations, but they stand to gain a great deal of valuable information from the skeletal remains of the ancient inhabitants. Bioarchaeology: is a recently new way to refer to the study of human remains from archaeological contexts. The skeleton forms the framework for the both, whereas the teeth form a direct interface between the organism and its environment. Morphology: the form and structure of an object. Since the bones and teeth of the skeleton are resistant to many kinds of decay, they often form the most lasting record of an individual"s existence. The goal of forensic osteology often involves identification of an unknown individual. Individuation: the process of personally identifying the remains of the recently dead individual.
