Stories From The Skeleton: Behavioral Reconstruction In Human Osteology (interpreting The Remains Of The Past)

That book examined the promise and pitfalls of using elemental and isotopic analyses in understanding past diets, nutritional patterns and disorders. Such topics, and the manner in which we elected to address them, influenced the scope and goals of the present series inseveral fundamental ways. The inauguration of these analytical techniques in anthropology signaled intensification of multi-disciplinary approaches. These techniques made their debut in anthropology during the 1970s and the decade itself was one of fervor and optimism, asstudents seized upon such new technologies in hopes of gaining a better and more accurate understanding of the human past. This volume raises central theoretical issues regarding behavioural reconstruction in human osteological research. Because behavioural reconstructions have become increasingly common, especially within paleopathology, it is time to review the scientific basis for such an approach. For example, osteological scenarios seeking to link the onset of such skeletal conditions as osteoarthritis, dental disease, and trauma with specific behaviours in past populations are critically examined. Questions are also raised as to the scientific rigor of such hypotheses, the ethnohistorical (or other) evidence used to support them and, ultimately, the soundness of such claims. In addition, commentary is included that broadens the scope to include anthropology and explains the utility (and limitations) of behavioural reconstructions in paleoanthropology and the biocultural perspective as it is used in contemporary anthropology. Central theoretical issues regarding behavioral reconstruction in human osteological research are raised in this analytical volume. Because behavioral reconstructions have become increasingly common, especially within paleopathology, it is time to review the scientific basis for such an approach. For example, osteological scenarios seeking to link the onset of such skeletal conditions as osteoarthritis, dental disease, and trauma with specific behaviors in past populations, are critically examined. Questions are also raised as to the scientific rigor of such hypotheses, the ethnohistoric evidence used to support them and, ultimately, the soundness of such claims. In addition, commentary is included that broadens the scope to include anthropology, and explains the utility of behavioral reconstructions in paleoanthropology and the biocultural perspective as it is used in contemporary anthropology. Introduction To The Series -- Preface -- Acknowledgments -- 1. Introduction: Of Science And Stories -- 2. Osteoarthritis: Clinical And Osteological Approaches -- 3. Osteoarthritis And Activity: Occupation And Sports Studies -- 4. Osteoarthritis: Anthropological Interpretations -- 5. Enthesopathies And Other Osteological Indicators Of Activity -- 6. Trauma -- 7. Studies Of Bone Geometry: The Shape Of Things To Come? -- 8. Conclusion: Defining The Limits Of Interpretation -- Appendix -- Bibliography -- Index. Robert Jurmain. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 279-322) And Index. Dedication Contents Introduction to the Series Preface Acknowledgments 1 Introduction: Of Science and Stories 2 Osteoarthritis: Clinical and Osteological Approaches 3 Osteoarthritis and Activity: Occupational and Sports Studies 4 Osteoarthritis: Anthropological Interpretations 5 Enthesopathies and Other Osteological Indicators of Activity 6 Trauma 7 Studies of Bone Geometry: The Shape of Things to Come? 8 Conclusion: Defining the Limits of Interpretation Appendix Bibliography Index Central theoretical issues regarding behavioural reconstruction in human osteological research are raised in this analytical volume. Because behavioural reconstructions have become increasingly common this work seeks to review the scientific basis for such an approach. Every researcher labors with some expectation, one could even say illusion, that their results will mean something.