Comparative Osteoarchaeology: A Practical Workshop

Held at Eagle Lake Field Station on June 25-27, 2007, workshop topics included bone structure and terminology, vertebrate osteology and taxonomy, distinguishing human and non-human remains, and osteological research frontiers and analytical techniques such as dental increment analysis, isotope and trace element analysis, and ancient DNA analysis.

Eagle Lake Field Station 
June 25-27, 2007

Sponsored by:

California Department of Transportation
Sacramento, California
Interagency Agreement No. 43 A0068

Instructors:

Frank E. Bayham, PhD
Eric J. Bartelink, PhD
Raymond J. Bogiatto, MA
Jack M. Broughton, PhD
Christopher  O’Brien, PhD
Beth A.S. Shook, PhD
Melanie Beasley

Description

Evaluation of the significance of any archaeological resource is predicated upon an ability to identify what the resource is and a knowledge of the potential range of interpretations that may be generated from the analysis of the resource. Fragmentary osteological materials in archaeological contexts pose some unique problems due to their inherent similarities, changing ethical concerns and regulations (e.g. NAGPRA), and advances in analytical techniques to extract increasingly more data from smaller amounts of material. This workshop is designed to provide some fundamental information on osteoarchaeological remains and research in order to help remediate these potential problems. 

Topics covered in the workshop included bone structure and terminology, vertebrate osteology and taxonomy, distinguishing human and non-human remains, and osteological research frontiers and analytical techniques such as dental increment analysis, isotope and trace element analysis, and ancient DNA analysis.