214 research outputs found
The presence of african individuals in punic populations from the Island of Ibiza (Spain): contributions from physical anthropology
Caries correction factors applied to a Punic (6th - 2nd BC) population from Ibiza (Spain)
Caries correction factors were applied to a Punic (6th-2nd century BC) rural sample from the island of Ibiza (Spain). Data obtained on dental caries and ante-mortem tooth loss provided a corrected rate of 12.8% of teeth with caries. This result, in conjunction with other sources of information such as stable isotope analysis and documentary evidence, indicated a diet based on terrestrial protein (mainly carbohydrates) and a low component of marine protein. The paper suggests further research avenues and promotes the use of caries correction factors in archaeological populations
Physical anthropology in Europe and beyond
Methodologies and legislative frameworks regarding the excavation, retrieval, analysis, curation and potential reburial of human skeletal remains different throughout Europe. As work forces within Europe and beyond have become increasingly mobile and international research collaborations are steadily increasing, the need for a more comprehensive understanding of different national research traditions, methodologies and legislative structures within the academic and commercial sector of physical anthropology has arisen. Establishing how human osteoarchaeology is practiced and dealt with throughout Europe and beyond will promote sharing knowledge between countries and form the basis for pan-European exchanges and discussions on the best practice. The current paper focuses on an ongoing project entitled ‘Physical Anthropology and Legislation: European Perspectives and Beyond’ and provides insight into some of the results obtained so far
Forty years of ‘Archaeology for children’
The last 40 years have seen an increase in outreach activities, many primarily targeted to children, in archaeology. This outreach has benefited both the discipline of archaeology as well as public education. Several projects have pioneered the development of ‘archaeology for children’ in recent decades and have narrowed the gap between heritage and the public.An overview of these developments is presented in this paper. Particular reference is made to the work undertaken in schools and museums, by associations and archaeological companies, as well as the promotion of archaeology through the media. Examples are drawn especially from the United Kingdom and Spain
Islamic funerary archaeology in Catalonia and the province of Castellón. A state of affairs
El presente trabajo ofrece una síntesis de los conocimientos
arqueológicos e históricos sobre el poblamiento
andalusí mediante un inventario de hallazgos
funerarios en Cataluña, con la provincia de Castellón
como referente de comparación. Se presentan nuevos
datos relativos a hallazgos aún inéditos de los yacimientos
de Plà de Almatà (Balaguer) y la Vall d’Uixó
(Castellón). Cataluña formaba parte de la Frontera
Superior de al-Andalus, por lo que desarrolló unas
características de poblamiento diferentes al resto
del šarq al-Andalus, representado por la provincia
de Castellón. Para investigar estas características, la
arqueología funeraria y la antropología física aportan
herramientas de gran utilidad. Aunque los aspectos
tafonómicos y las oportunidades de excavación han
influenciado el registro funerario disponible, los procesos
históricos no deben desvincularse. Para este
trabajo, se ha realizado un inventario exhaustivo y un
análisis de los datos disponibles de estas regiones con
el objetivo de interpretar el registro disponible y ofrecer
una síntesis útil para las investigaciones futuras.This paper presents a review of the archaeological
and historical knowledge on Andalusian settlement
in Catalonia as obtained through the funerary record.
A comparison is also made with the province of Castellón.
This study also contains new data regarding
the cemetery of Plà de Almatà (Balaguer) and cemeteries
from Vall d’Uixó (Castellón). Catalonia was part
of the Upper Frontier of al-Andalus, and as such its
settlement patterns were different to the rest of Šarq
al-Andalus, represented by the province of Catellón.
Funerary archaeology and physical anthropology
provide useful and unique tools to study these features
and patterns. Although taphonomic aspects
of skeletal preservation and the amount of excavation
activity have influenced the available funerary
record, historical processes cannot be overlooked.
For this current study, an exhaustive review of the
literature and available data from these regions has
been undertaken with the aim of providing a broader
interpretation of the period and recommendations
for future research
Redefining forensic anthropology in the 21st century and its role in mass fatality investigations
http://www.eurjanat.com/web/all-issues.phpDefinitions of forensic anthropology have reflected the evolution of the discipline over the
past 20 years. A commonly accepted definition is currently “the application of the science of
physical or biological anthropology to the legal process” (e.g. see ABFA, 2018), although this
has now expanded to include human rights cases, as part of what some have called
‘Humanitarian Forensic Action’ or ‘Forensic Humanitarianism’ (Guyomarc´h, and Congram,
2015; Cordner and Tidball-Binz, 2017; Moon, 2013; Parra et al. 2020). More recently,
historical cases involving the recovery, identification and repatriation of casualties from the
First and Second world wars and subsequent conflicts, have also been categorised as forensic
anthropology (Loe et al., 2014, Cox et al., 2016, Emanovsky and Belcher, 2012). The
expansion of the definition in these contexts recognises the need for the anthropologist to
conform to the standards required by forensic genetic laboratories. He or she is required to
work closely with DNA scientists and be cognisant of forensic protocols relating to chain of
custody, integrity of evidence and how to minimise the risks of cross contamination and
misidentifications
Using nutrient foramina to differentiate human from non-human long bone fragments in bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology
Long bone shaft fragments can be found isolated in archaeological and forensic contexts, such as in mass fatality incidents. When diagnostic morphological landmarks are not visible, the assessment of a human or non-human origin of a bone fragment can be challenging. Further methods need to be developed. In long bones, the presence of a nutrient foramen on fragments that do not show any diagnostic landmarks can make the assessment of the origin of the bone still possible.
In this paper, human long bones were compared to those of the following species: chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus), duck (Cairina moschata), sheep (Ovis aries), pig (Sus scrofa domesticus), and deer (fallow deer, Dama dama, and roe deer, Capreolus capreolus).
Macroscopic evaluation of location, direction and appearance, and micro-CT scanning in order to measure angle and shape of canal entrance, were applied in this study to differentiate human from non-human nutrient foramina on long bone shafts.
Observations regarding the location and direction of nutrient foramina were proven to be different between human and non-human bones; however, these two features might not be exploitable in cases of highly fragmented bones. The foramina appearance was the most reliable for the origin identification, although the shape of the canal entrance and its angle at the cortical bone, obtained from micro-CT scans, were also useful parameters. For a correct identification of a fragment, one parameter may not be enough and it is advisable to employ as many features as possible.
This research demonstrates that nutrient foramina have potential as a reliable bone feature for the distinction between human and non-human fragmented and incomplete long bones
The application of dual energy X-ray soil screening in forensic archaeology
The need to forensically search soil for small artefacts at a burial site or traces of evidence in a deposition site is a common task shared by investigators and forensic archaeologists. In forensic casework, the importance of finding small pieces of evidence, such as personal effects or ballistic fragments, cannot be overstated as it can assist in the positive identification of the deceased, give an insight into the manner and cause of death, and identify any perpetrators. The soil search methods known as wet and dry sieving, are cumbersome, time-consuming and have limited success for some soil types. This often leads to the decision not to search, resulting in missed opportunities to identify potential evidence.
The primary aim of this study was to investigate if a dual energy X-ray baggage scanner could be used to search for items of potential forensic interest in soil. A trial was conducted using a Smiths Detection ScanTrailer 100100 V-2is mobile X-ray inspection system to establish if it could be used to detect organic, inorganic, and metallic items located within soil. The soil type and natural variables such as water and organic content were adjusted to simulate different environments. The baggage scanner was found to provide a quick and easy way to detect items contained within various soil types, particularly in a sand rich matrix. It is estimated that using this method to search 1 m3 of soil, when broken down into samples that are < 13 cm in depth, would take around one hour to complete, compared with 100 to 150 person-hours by manual sieving. This is believed to be the first use of dual energy X-ray technology for this purpose and shows the potential for further research and use of this method in forensic archaeology
An Investigation of Red Fox (Vulpes vulpes) and Eurasian Badger (Meles meles) Scavenging, Scattering, and Removal of Deer Remains: Forensic Implications and Applications
Within northwest Europe, especially the United Kingdom, the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) and the Eurasian Badger (Meles meles) are the largest wild scavengers capable of modifying a set of remains through scavenging. Knowledge of region-specific and species-typical scavenging behaviors of scavengers within the crime scene area and surroundings can aid in more efficient and accurate interpretations. The scavenging behaviors of captive and wild foxes and badgers were recorded and compared through actualistic methods and direct observation. The scavenging by wild foxes and badgers of surface-deposited baits and whole deer (Cervus nippon; Capreolus capreolus) in a woodland was observed and analyzed. Wild foxes were found to scavenge deer more frequently than badgers. The scavenging of deer remains by foxes was also compared with forensic cases. The scavenging pattern and recovery distances of deer and human remains scavenged by foxes were similar but were potentially affected by the condition and deposition of a body, and the presence of clothing
The legislation, search, recovery, identification and repatriation of conflict casualties worldwide: Introducing the WWI and WWII Special Issue
Conflict casualties refer to those individuals who are lost due to military conflict or war. The involvement of forensic archaeologists and anthropologists in the legal search, recovery, documentation, identification, and repatriation/reburial of conflict casualties is well known. Internationally, there are a number of professional organisations who ethically recover and identify these individuals. However, at the same time, some organisations and individuals have raised significant concerns about working in other countries, understanding specific laws and protocols, and how the whole recovery and identification process should be undertaken. Through this special issue, Forensic Science International is interested in promoting these investigative good-practice procedures, illustrated with case studies, and ethical and legal considerations when undertaking and disseminating these humanitarian missions to the wider forensic community. This Special Issue focuses primarily on the First and Second World Wars, yet other conflicts are covered, and includes the views and perspectives from different organisations within specific countries in the format of original papers, commentaries, and case reports. Specifically, these papers include the legislative regulations, information regarding the authorities to be consulted on and who deal with human remains, the organisations and professionals who are involved with the recovery and analysis of human remains, the process of identification, and how this information is disseminated to the public
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