Modern technologies and artificial intelligence in archaeology and bioarchaeology

This paper discusses the importance of adopting and applying new technologies in scientific fields to increase the rate of progress. It emphasises the need for networking and multidisciplinary collaboration to apply technologies developed for other purposes to solve scientific or professional issues. The paper reviews modern technologies used in archaeology and bioarchaeology, including ground penetrating radar, LiDAR, drones, 3D printing, remote sensing, GIS, and portable X-ray fluorescence. It also presents modern technologies in bioarchaeology such as DNA analysis, stable isotope analysis, radiocarbon dating, microscopic analysis, CT and MRI, and proteomics. The paper introduces palaeoradiology, a branch of radiology that uses imaging technologies to examine bioarchaeological or even archaeological material, and discusses its importance in gaining knowledge about the health, lifestyle, and causes of death of past populations

Modern technologies and artificial intelligence in archaeology and bioarchaeology

This paper discusses the importance of adopting and applying new technologies in scientific fields to increase the rate of progress. It emphasises the need for networking and multidisciplinary collaboration to apply technologies developed for other purposes to solve scientific or professional issues. The paper reviews modern technologies used in archaeology and bioarchaeology, including ground penetrating radar, LiDAR, drones, 3D printing, remote sensing, GIS, and portable X-ray fluorescence. It also presents modern technologies in bioarchaeology such as DNA analysis, stable isotope analysis, radiocarbon dating, microscopic analysis, CT and MRI, and proteomics. The paper introduces palaeoradiology, a branch of radiology that uses imaging technologies to examine bioarchaeological or even archaeological material, and discusses its importance in gaining knowledge about the health, lifestyle, and causes of death of past populations

Recent Advances in Forensic Anthropological Methods and Research

Forensic anthropology, while still relatively in its infancy compared to other forensic science disciplines, adopts a wide array of methods from many disciplines for human skeletal identification in medico-legal and humanitarian contexts. The human skeleton is a dynamic tissue that can withstand the ravages of time given the right environment and may be the only remaining evidence left in a forensic case whether a week or decades old. Improved understanding of the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that modulate skeletal tissues allows researchers and practitioners to improve the accuracy and precision of identification methods ranging from establishing a biological profile such as estimating age-at-death, and population affinity, estimating time-since-death, using isotopes for geolocation of unidentified decedents, radiology for personal identification, histology to assess a live birth, to assessing traumatic injuries and so much more

TEACHING OLD CALIPERS NEW TRICKS: USING CRANIOMETRICS FOR ANCESTRY ADMIXTURE ESTIMATION VIA FUZZY MATH

Cranial measurements have been a cornerstone of physical anthropology since its formation as a discipline in the early 1900s. However, most other ancestry determination methods come with a significant epistemological issue: they differentiate individuals into discrete categories without accounting for the issue of admixture. Advances in data mining and analysis techniques can now be used to help resolve this issue through soft computing, also known as “fuzzy math”. This type of advanced computational math requires specialized knowledge in computer programming, statistics, and data analysis techniques unless one is using computer programs specially designed to run these analyses. This project compiled a database from multiple open-source craniometrics data and utilized prepared packages within the R statistical environment to find a valid soft computing method for fuzzy ancestry determination that does not require extensive knowledge in computer programming or data mining. Exploration of database demographics notes an excess of White-identified individuals, and when tested, this demographic skew impacts the ability of the given package to return valid results. The package chosen was valid using the compiled database. Exploration of causes for the invalid results, including a significant White skew in the underlying database due to accessibility of metric databases, overfitting, and the inherent issues of admixture on craniometric research, are explored, and future directions discussed

Sex Without the Head or the Hips: The Inferences Made on Bone and the Use of the Lower Body to Estimate Sex

When it comes to the sex estimation of a skeleton, the main factors contributing to which methods are used depend on which skeletal elements are present. When a skeleton is uncovered that is essentially complete, with little deterioration due to taphonomic processes, it can be easy to use morphological methods in identifying sex. These methods generally rely on the use of the skull and the pelvic gridle. However, when it comes to archaeological excavations and forensic cases, the remains that are uncovered are rarely in perfect condition and seldom complete. It has become essential within studies to identify methods revolving around the estimation of sex through a variety of skeletal remains, such as the bones of the lower body. Although the postcranial bones of the lower body can be sexed, the methods are less widely applicable since they are much more population specific than the sexually dimorphic traits of the skull and pelvis. However, more work must be done in the use of the lower body in order to standardize these methods and broaden their applicability. Through an examination of the literature and published studies, a database has been created that focuses on investigations that analyze sex methodologies from the bones of the lower body. It is through the analysis associated with this database in which themes have been uncovered that need to be addressed. These themes involve the correlation between elements, the use of univariate and multivariate analysis, the measurements taken on the bones and which show more dimorphism than others, discussions surrounding which side of the bones have been utilized and evidence of asymmetry. By utilizing metric methods and creating a database that addresses the standards and problems surrounding these methods, we have the ability to offer other options, as well as provide the opportunity to highlight the ability to identify the diversity of past peoples’ social and biological identity through a much wider selection of skeletal elements

Evaluating Cranial Nonmetric Traits in Mummies from Pachacamac, Peru: The Utility of Semi-Automated Image Segmentation in Paleoradiology

Anthropologists employ biodistance analysis to understand past population interactions and relatedness. The objectives of this thesis are twofold: to determine whether a sample of five mummies from the pilgrimage centre, Pachacamac, on the Central Coast of Peru comprised local or non-local individuals through an analysis of cranial nonmetric traits using comparative samples from the North and Central Coasts of Peru and Chile; and to test the utility of machine-learning-based image segmentation in the image analysis software, Dragonfly, to automatically segment CT scans of the mummies such that the cranial nonmetric traits are visible. Results show that while fully automated segmentation was not achieved, a semi-automated procedure was adequate for visualizing and scoring the skulls and saved time over manual segmentation methods. The sample from Pachacamac was too small to make significant inter-site comparisons, but a broader regional analysis suggests there are significant biological differences between geographical regions along the coast

Sex estimation from virtual models: exploring the potential of stereolithic 3D crania models for morphoscopic trait scoring

UNLABELLED: Modern computed tomography (CT) databases are becoming an accepted resource for the practice and development of identification methods in forensic anthropology. However, the utility of 3D models created using free and open-source visualization software such as 3D Slicer has not yet been thoroughly assessed for morphoscopic biological profiling methods where virtual methods of analysis are becoming more common. This paper presents a study that builds on the initial findings from Robles et al. (2020) to determine the feasibility of estimating sex on stereolithic (STL) 3D cranial models produced from CT scans from a modern, living UK population (n = 80) using equation 2 from the Walker's (2008) morphoscopic method. Kendall's coefficients of concordance (KCC) indicated substantial agreement using cranial features scores in an inter-observer test and a video-inter-observer test. Fleiss' Kappa scores showed moderate agreement (0.50) overall between inter-observer sex estimations, and for observer sex estimations in comparison to recorded sexes (0.56). It was found that novice users could virtually employ morphoscopic sex estimation methods effectively on STL 3D cranial models from modern individuals. This study also highlights the potential that digital databases of modern living populations can offer forensic anthropology. KEY POINTS: First example of Walker's (2008) method applied to a living UK population.Open-source software is a valuable resource for crime reconstruction approaches.Male scoring bias was observed in method application.Forensic anthropologists would benefit from virtual anthropology training to use and interpret 3D models.Digital databases offer more ethical, diverse, modern populations for future research

Sacrifice Reconsidered: Interpreting Stress From Archaeological Hair At Huaca De Los Sacrificios

The Inka Empire (A.D. 1450-1532) practiced flexible forms of statecraft that affected their periphery populations across the Andean cordillera. Lived experiences of Inka subjects differed in varied ways, which therefore requires nuanced bioarchaeological approaches. This study aims to interpret psychosocial stress through assays of cortisol in archaeological hair from sacrificed individuals recovered in the Huaca de los Sacrificios at the Chotuna-Chornancap Archaeological complex. This site is located in the Lambayeque Valley, and was used as a ritual and ceremonial complex by both the Inka and earlier Chimú states, and originally by the local Muchik. The remains analyzed here are associated with the Inka period. Utilizing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to obtain overall cortisol levels, this study examines spikes in cortisol and analyzes these data along with clinical data. These archaeological cortisol levels are also compared to cortisol data from living participants, in order to better reconstruct and infer overall stress levels in these sacrificed individuals. Cortsiol levels vary between the adults (n=2) and children (n=8) in this sample. The adult cortisol levels range well within clinical data. The cortisol data from the children appear to be representative of pubertal development rather than physiological stress

Tuberculosis in black and white : using pre-antibiotic casefiles and radiographs to explore tuberculosis in children

Tuberculosis is one of the oldest diseases still in existence today and is currently the leading cause of death by infectious disease. The understanding of tuberculosis in past populations is, however, limited by the uncertainty with which it can be diagnosed macroscopically in archaeological human remains. Musculoskeletal tuberculosis is the most visible form of the disease and it has been highlighted in historical research as being most common in children. Still, the issues associated with uncovering non-adult skeletal remains have made the study of tuberculosis in children inherently difficult. This relative dearth of information regarding musculoskeletal tuberculosis in children is further compounded historiographically. Historical literature has been dominated by pulmonary tuberculosis and since this occurs most frequently in young adults, it has been this age group that have received the greatest attention. This research aims to bring balance to the historical study of tuberculosis through the study of musculoskeletal tuberculosis in children using a collection of sanatorium records from the mid-twentieth century.As an interdisciplinary study this research presents a new methodological approach for the study of disease in the past. Using clinical radiographs and their corresponding casefiles, it demonstrates the comparative and integrative application of such records as an adjunct to macroscopic examination of skeletal lesions. This presents further scope for understanding musculoskeletal tuberculosis, in recognising the various stages of destruction and healing associated with it. Additionally, this research has created a broader view of musculoskeletal tuberculosis in children during the first half of the twentieth century. Intrinsically, it demonstrates the value of integrative research, using archival medical records and radiographs, to develop knowledge of disease experience. The impact of this lies in the continuity or fluidity of medical practice through historical and heritage-based disciplines towards further understanding past disease and its contribution towards disease eradication in the present