Bones Here, Bones There, Bones Everywhere: Bioarchaeology and Osteology in Action
Research Mentor(s)
Tesla Monson
Description
Within the discipline of biological anthropology exist the fields of bioarchaeology and osteology, two critical but underutilized areas of the anthropology. My research is centered around identifying and analyzing human skeletal remains and animal remains not only from ancient sites around the globe, but also within the realm of forensics. In addition to my work with the human skeletal collection in WWU’s Primate Evolution and Osteology Lab, I spend each July analyzing the zooarchaeological remains found at an Ancient Roman site called Urvinum Hortense in Umbria, Italy. Surprisingly, not many archaeologists are able to differentiate between human bone and animal bone. This shocking fact coupled with there being very few experts in the bioarchaological field has led to a lack of an established methodology and protocol surrounding human skeletal collections. The need for an ethical, standardized protocol that has led me to expand my research and begin creating a bioethically conscious standard by learning from important members of the biological anthropology community, hence benefiting not only my own research, but anthropology and forensics as a whole.
Document Type
Event
Start Date
May 2022
End Date
May 2022
Location
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
Department
CHSS - Anthropology
Genre/Form
student projects; posters
Type
Image
Rights
Copying of this document in whole or in part is allowable only for scholarly purposes. It is understood, however, that any copying or publication of this document for commercial purposes, or for financial gain, shall not be allowed without the author’s written permission.
Language
English
Format
application/pdf
Bones Here, Bones There, Bones Everywhere: Bioarchaeology and Osteology in Action
Carver Gym (Bellingham, Wash.)
Within the discipline of biological anthropology exist the fields of bioarchaeology and osteology, two critical but underutilized areas of the anthropology. My research is centered around identifying and analyzing human skeletal remains and animal remains not only from ancient sites around the globe, but also within the realm of forensics. In addition to my work with the human skeletal collection in WWU’s Primate Evolution and Osteology Lab, I spend each July analyzing the zooarchaeological remains found at an Ancient Roman site called Urvinum Hortense in Umbria, Italy. Surprisingly, not many archaeologists are able to differentiate between human bone and animal bone. This shocking fact coupled with there being very few experts in the bioarchaological field has led to a lack of an established methodology and protocol surrounding human skeletal collections. The need for an ethical, standardized protocol that has led me to expand my research and begin creating a bioethically conscious standard by learning from important members of the biological anthropology community, hence benefiting not only my own research, but anthropology and forensics as a whole.