ABSTRACT This osteobiography explores the life history of an adolescent who lived during the early‐mid Bronze Age (c. 1000–700 bce ) and was buried at Nyaung'gan, a site in north‐central Myanmar. Burial 3b had multiple skeletal lesions, and their bones were covered in well‐remodeled subperiosteal new bone. A differential diagnosis was undertaken to evaluate the etiology of the lesions and potential co‐morbidity. The lesions observed have different underlying mechanisms, and while most represent reactive biological responses to trauma and disease, a circular cranial lesion with remodeled margins is more consistent with intentional trepanation than a natural biological process. The findings suggest that 3b had survived a significant traumatic cranial injury earlier in childhood and was suffering from a dislocated temporomandibular joint and possible co‐morbid vitamin D deficiency‐related osteomalacia. It is cautiously suggested that 3b survived a subsequent trepanation performed to alleviate symptoms of their condition. Drawing on bioarchaeological approaches to past caregiving, we consider the consequences of these on 3b and how they were cared for, providing unique insight into social dynamics and community care in ancient Myanmar.
ABSTRACT The proximal wing phalanx of the major digit, phalanx proximalis digiti majoris, is often an easily recognizable and well preserved bird bone in fossil and archaeological deposits. It can provide valuable information about the relationship between birds and humans because its presence often indicates nonalimentary usage. For example, wing phalanges have been found in human burials, and cut marks preserved on the proximal phalanx indicate the acquisition of feathers by humans. This work contains the first‐ever dichotomous photographic key for the identification of the proximal wing phalanx of European birds. The key will facilitate the identification of fossil and zooarchaeological material, and the features described in it can be used in future studies on the phylogeny and ecomorphology of various bird groups.
ABSTRACT Wooden dentures represent a distinctive form of dental technology uniquely developed in Japan that is no longer in clinical use. Although Edo‐period (1603–1867) wooden dentures are presumed to have achieved sufficient precision, their morphological fit has not been quantitatively evaluated. This study aimed to examine the morphological similarity between edentulous maxillae and wooden maxillary complete dentures and assessed the feasibility of identifying denture wearers. Sixteen edentulous maxillae and three wooden maxillary complete dentures excavated from the Edo‐period Koun‐ji Temple site in Tokyo were analyzed. Three‐dimensional surface morphologies were digitized and converted into homologous models. Principal component analysis (PCA) and maxilla–denture distance analysis were conducted after digital superimposition. In PC1–PC2 scatter plots, correct maxillae–denture pairs clustered closely and were separated from incorrect pairings. Maxilla–denture distances for correct pairs were predominantly 2–6 mm and significantly smaller than those of incorrect pairings ( p < 0.05). The mean histogram intersection similarity for correct pairs was 0.668. Combined PCA and maxilla–denture distance analysis enabled quantitative evaluation of morphological fit and supported the potential of wooden dentures for personal identification in osteoarchaeological contexts. This study also presents the first quantitative evidence of morphological correspondence between Edo‐period wooden dentures and edentulous maxillae.
ABSTRACT The frequency of tobacco use during the postmedieval period is widely underexplored; this has repercussions for our understanding of the intoxicant's health impacts during this time. Our study assesses the frequency rates of tobacco consumption in different social groups in England and the Netherlands, two countries in which tobacco use became quickly incorporated into the sociocultural fabric after its introduction to Europe in the 16th century. We assessed frequencies of evidence for tobacco use in 380 English and 318 Dutch individuals, using osteoarchaeological and biomolecular analyses. We examined use‐rates in individuals from three different socioeconomic backgrounds: rural agricultural (Barton‐upon‐Humber; Middenbeemster), urban high‐middle (St James's Gardens Burial Ground; Zwolle), and urban low‐middle (St James's Gardens Burial Ground; Arnhem) status. Our results indicate high usage rates in Dutch men (63.6%–98.1%), who overwhelmingly demonstrate evidence for pipe‐usage, and similar rates among English men and women (39.6%–64.2%), regardless of socioeconomic status. Women from both countries were highly unlikely to present with evidence for pipe‐usage, indicating a preference for an alternative means of consumption, and were also far more likely to present with evidence for tobacco‐usage in older age. Our results directly contradict the historical notion that women, particularly well‐to‐do women in the 19th century, were not consuming tobacco, but identify that its use perhaps became more socially acceptable as women aged. Further, we identify differences in the presence of pipe notches in different groups, which could indicate the preference for different ways of consuming tobacco according to gender, socioeconomic background, occupation, and differing norms between countries. This analysis provides nuance to historical concepts of who was, and was not, smoking during the postmedieval period, and paves the way for understanding the long‐term health implications of a drug that has had vast and enduring repercussions for European society.
ABSTRACT Understanding hunting strategies in Upper Paleolithic contexts remains challenging due to the complex relationships between prey behavior, environmental conditions, and human decision‐making. Addressing these dynamics requires integrating archeozoological, geospatial, and geochemical proxies capable of capturing demographic patterns, landscape accessibility, and seasonal environmental signals. This study examines the Magdalenian level 2b of Chaves Cave (Huesca, Spain), dated to ca. 15.7–15.0 ka cal BP, through a combined analysis of mortality profiles and stable isotope sequences (δ 18 O and δ 13 C) in Capra pyrenaica . Age‐at‐death profiles were reconstructed using multiple classification systems, while sequential isotopic analysis was conducted on third molars to investigate seasonality, diet, and mobility. Mortality profiles consistently show a predominance of late juveniles and young adults, together with the absence of neonates, indicating a seasonal bias in the accumulation. Isotopic results reveal sinusoidal δ 18 O patterns reflecting seasonal environmental variation and δ 13 C values consistent with a C3‐based diet. Modeling of δ 18 O sequences indicates a restricted birth season, while the combined modeling of δ 18 O and δ 13 C sequences shows a consistent temporal offset between both signals, suggesting seasonal shifts in environmental and dietary conditions. Landscape accessibility analysis further evaluates the relationship between the site and surrounding topographic features potentially relevant to ibex movement. The integration of these proxies supports a model of recurrent hunting episodes structured within a restricted seasonal window, likely occurring after the birth season when herds included individuals of optimal age classes. The isotopic signal is consistent with short‐range seasonal mobility along altitudinal gradients within a coherent ecological system. Together, these results indicate flexible but structured hunting strategies, closely linked to the seasonal dynamics of ibex populations and the topographic configuration of the pre‐Pyrenean landscape. This study highlights the potential of combining mortality profiles and intra‐tooth isotope analysis to refine interpretations of subsistence strategies, seasonality, and mobility in Paleolithic hunter‐gatherer contexts.
ABSTRACT This study presents a comparative taphonomic analysis of skeletal remains from a military cemetery in Prague‐Karlín (18th–19th century), focusing on joint disarticulation as a proxy for reconstructing postdepositional environments. The primary objective was to determine whether significant differences exist between individuals interred in coffins in standard single graves ( n = 130) and those in a filled space within a multiple grave ( n = 140). Using taphonomic field data, the research statistically evaluated ( χ 2 , Cramer's V) the articulation and disarticulation of labile and persistent joints. The results revealed statistically significant differences, primarily in labile joints. Contrary to the null hypothesis, skeletons decomposing in void environments (from the single graves) exhibited a greater disarticulation than those in filled‐space conditions (from the multiple grave). Primary voids (coffins) and secondary voids (created by clothing and footwear) permitted bone movement following soft tissue decomposition. Conversely, the multiple burial lacked such voids due to dense body packing and rapid sediment infilling stabilized skeletal position and preserved anatomical articulation. These findings suggest that micro‐environmental conditions provided by burial containers and funerary practices are critical to the disarticulation processes. This research highlights the potential of statistical testing of field taphonomic data for interpreting complex funerary contexts.
Sex determination is essential for reconstructing past livestock management, yet the limited skeletal sexual dimorphism of sheep hinders the identification of ewes, rams, and wethers in archaeological assemblages. Horn-cores are the most sexually dimorphic element of the sheep skeleton, and here, we establish a new metrical baseline for differentiating these groups. This was created using three measurements-basal circumference, maximum basal diameter, and minimum basal diameter-derived from 117 sheep of known sex (female, male, castrate) and breed (n = 15). Cross-validated analyses demonstrate that approximately 70% of individuals can be correctly assigned using a single measurement, increasing to over 80% when measurements are combined. We apply this new baseline to horn-core assemblages from three archaeological sites in Britain and identify sex profiles consistent with different industries, including dairying, wool production, and craft production. Of particular importance is the ability to positively identify castrates in some cases, and the differentiation of males and females, even in samples of mixed age and breed.
This study examines major palaeopathological trends in Mongol-period Karakorum and incorporates them into the existing body of research in order to deepen our understanding of health and survival, the impacts of conflict and violence on past populations, and the lived experiences of the city's diverse inhabitants within the broader socio-political landscape of the Mongol Empire. Two distinct groups buried in Karakorum are analyzed: individuals recovered from a mass grave located outside the city walls (MG), and a portion of the Muslim community interred in the city's cemetery (KARCEM). These populations are assessed through macroscopic observation, statistical analysis, and radiographic imaging of palaeopathological markers, with particular attention paid to differences between the two groups. Clear differences emerge between the assemblages. The MG assemblage (n = 13) is composed mostly of males and notably lacks both non-adult and elderly individuals. The occurrence of perimortem trauma consistent with arrowhead injuries and blunt force trauma, along with the funerary context, strongly supports a context of warfare, whereas the demographic profile and comparative patterns of Schmorl's nodes and osteoarthritis prevalence may indicate the presence of combatants in the assemblage. In contrast, KARCEM (n = 27) includes a substantial proportion of non-adult individuals affected by nutritional deficiencies, whereas adults show higher rates of antemortem trauma and degenerative disease. These pathological patterns suggest a settled urban community whose adult members led physically demanding lives, whereas children experienced considerable physiological stress.
ABSTRACT This paper presents a comprehensive review of human bioarchaeology in the Philippines, tracing the field from its colonial‐era beginnings to recent developments. We examine how sociopolitical histories—particularly Spanish and American colonial rule—shaped early knowledge production practices and interpretations of archaeological human remains data. Through a qualitative metasynthesis of published and unpublished literature, we identify prevailing research themes across historical periods, including colonial‐era racial typologies, postwar material culture focus, and contemporary applications of scientific methods. While methodological advances and growing student interest have expanded the field, challenges remain, including limited publication of local research and the lack of long‐term mentorship. We highlight the potential of Philippine bioarchaeology to contribute to key regional debates in the Asia‐Pacific, particularly on human movement and dispersals, origins and antiquity of diseases, colonial health impacts, and ethical data sovereignty, while calling for the development of best practices that center community engagement and local perspectives.
Saint Theobald of Provins (1033-1066), a French nobleman who embraced voluntary poverty, hermitism, and pilgrimage, represents an early figure in the medieval ascetic movement. He holds historical significance for the diffusion of 11th-century ascetic ideals, as a hermit saint associated with the Camaldolese order and venerated across northern Italy and France. His remains, preserved in the church of Saint Giovanni Battista in Badia Polesine (Italy), have been investigated to authenticate them and reconstruct his appearance and health status. Cranial paleopathological lesions may be compatible with leprosy (Mycobacterium leprae), although not pathognomonic. The absence of endogenous pathogen DNA and the fragmentary postcranial skeleton require us to be cautious, as alternative chronic infectious processes cannot be excluded. Anthropological data, historical documentation, and radiocarbon dating support the plausibility of the association with Saint Theobald. The craniofacial approximation excluded pathological lesions to avoid speculation, and phenotypic elements traits such as pigmentation, hair, and eyes remain hypothetical in the absence of aDNA.
This study presents the first isotopic analysis from the skeletal remains of a Tang Dynasty Emperor, casting light on ninth-century imperial dietary patterns in Chang'an. Compared with northern Chinese populations, the diet of Emperor Xizong diet featured fewer mixed C-3/C-4-based agricultural products and animal protein than earlier Imperial elites, such as Emperor Wu of Northern Zhou and the Crown Prince of Sui. Poor nutrition in Xizong's later years may reflect contemporary sociopolitical turmoil, which unlike earlier Emperors clearly affected Xizong's diet and lifestyle. This essay offers new insights and an overview of the dietary shifts of Chang'an royals from the 6th to 9th centuries.
ABSTRACT This paper investigates dietary patterns, population‐ and sex‐related behaviors in Hellenistic (312–58 bc ) and Roman (58 bc –395 ad ) Nea Paphos, Cyprus, through dental disease analysis. The study examines the dentition of 229 individuals from two necropoleis, the Eastern Necropolis of Nea Paphos (minimum number of individuals = 97) and the necropolis at Ktima (Modern Paphos)‐ Upper City (minimum number of individuals = 132). Dental caries, calculus, periapical cavities, periodontal disease, and ante‐mortem tooth loss were recorded as proxies to explore dietary patterns and variation within and between the two sites. Caries, calculus, and periapical cavities occurred at low frequencies across both assemblages, whereas ante‐mortem tooth loss and periodontal disease were more common. Overall, Ktima displayed higher rates of dental pathology than the Eastern Necropolis, suggesting differences between the two populations. Intrasite and intersite comparisons indicated sex‐related differences, often statistically significant. This study represents one of the few bioarcheological investigations of dental disease in ancient Cyprus, and the first to examine Hellenistic‐Roman dietary patterns and social distinctions linked to site and sex. It establishes a foundation for future research, employing complementary methods (e.g., isotopic analysis, dental microwear, and calculus analysis of microdebris) and including larger datasets of Cypriot assemblages for comparative analysis.
ABSTRACT This study presents a modified human maxillary right canine from the Late Neolithic site of Jablanica (Serbia), interpreted as a personal ornament. Macroscopic, microscopic, and radiographic analyses revealed anthropogenic modifications, including shaping of the root apex and the creation of a mesial–distal perforation. Microscopic wear traces observed within the perforation suggest repeated friction caused by suspension on an organic fiber supporting its interpretation as a pendant. The tooth likely belonged to an adult individual and was probably recovered post‐mortem from skeletonized remains, contributing to interpretations of Late Neolithic bodily practices and symbolism in central Balkans.
A complex hunter-gatherer culture among affluent, sedentary communities had persisted across South China until the arrival of rice farmers after 5000 bp. Previous studies have shown that these complex hunter-gatherer groups had extensive exploitation of wild plants, terrestrial animals, and freshwater resources. However, there has been limited direct evidence of potential changes in the exploitation of these resources over time. Here, we apply stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses and AMS-14C dating to human and animal bones from two open-air sites in Western Guangxi, Kantun, and Baida, and integrate published isotopic data from Northern (Zengpiyan and Dayan cave sites) and Southern Guangxi (Dingsishan shell midden site), using Bayesian modeling to reconstruct prehistoric diets and subsistence change. The results demonstrate that prehistoric populations in Guangxi intensified their exploitation of C3 plant resources from the Early to Middle Neolithic periods. We argue that our data provide new evidence on the early subsistence changes across diverse geographical regions and site types in South China and offer new insights into discussions on environmental adaptations of prehistoric hunter-gatherers.
ABSTRACT Primates are rare faunal components in zooarchaeological studies worldwide. In this study, we present the presence of a primate in a Roman‐period tomb in Attaleia (modern‐day Antalya). An almost complete cranium with maxillary teeth was examined, and dental measurements were taken. A large comparative material was used for taxonomic determination. Our detailed morphological and metric analyses suggest that the primate cranium belongs to the genus Macaca . Principal component analysis indicates values similar to those of Macaca sylvanus and Macaca mulatta , but a closer placement with M. sylvanus is observed. In addition to its taxonomic identification, the sex and age of the primate were also assessed. M. sylvanus is generally known as a species native to North Africa, and archaeological records indicate that it was a notable object of trade during the Roman period. Archaeological records from Attaleia support trade connections between North Africa and the city. Unlike most animals encountered in the archaeological record, this species served as a symbol of wealth in ancient cultures. They performed various roles, including as performers, mascots, or pets of high‐ranking members of society. This study presents the first detailed osteological analysis of such a specimen from the region and explores its symbolic significance within the context of ancient cultural practices. Furthermore, we aim to use a not commonly employed perspective by employing detailed morphological and metric analyses of faunal remains in the archaeological record. This approach will provide a broader osteological dataset for future research in this field.
A significant methodological difficulty in the interpretation of Pleistocene zooarchaeological assemblages is the identification of taphonomic agents that modify and break bones. Carnivores, in particular, have been a main focus, as competition with carnivores may have affected carcass acquisition opportunities for humans in the past. In recent years, new techniques and methodologies have been developed for taphonomic analysis, and experimental taphonomic datasets modeling carnivore damage to bones have grown. Over the past two decades, geographic information systems (GIS) software has been increasingly used to model and interpret zooarchaeological assemblages. Using GIS to create visual maps of the distribution of bone damage and bone surface modifications allows for visual comparisons of archaeological and experimental data, and the use of spatial statistical tools in GIS software allows for quantitative comparisons. In this study, we expand on previous methods, which utilized ArcGIS in the analysis of bone surface modifications, and we adapt these methods to the open-source Q-GIS software. We apply this method to examine Layer I at the Late Pleistocene Cova del Rinoceront site (Castelldefels, Iberian Peninsula), which has more than 2000 well-preserved vertebrate remains associated with the use of the cave as a carnivore den. Previous taphonomic work proposed two carnivore taxa (canids or large felids) as potential modifiers. In order to further examine this hypothesis, this study uses an updated GIS image analysis method to compare a subset of the Cova del Rinoceront ungulate assemblage with carnivore-modified experimental assemblages created by wolves and large felids. Our results suggest that wolves were the main carnivore agent that contributed to the site. Our results also highlight the potential of GIS image analysis methods for the interpretation of zooarchaeological assemblages.
Archeological research within Cambodia is quite extensive, with significant projects led by both Cambodian archeologists and international researchers alike. Many of these projects have uncovered human skeletal remains. This article reviews archeological human skeletal studies in Cambodia, synthesizing published and unpublished data, primarily from the Iron Age (500 bce –500 ce ) across Angkor and the northwest and southeast regions. This synthesis includes discussions of demography, stature and enamel hypoplasia, dental health, diet, skeletal trauma, migration, and infectious diseases. The demographic data are limited, with sex, age at death, and stature often not estimated for individuals because of the fragmentary nature of the remains and the lack of specific population metric methods. Current data show no correlation between stature and enamel hypoplasia. Dental health appears to have declined in Iron Age Cambodia compared to earlier periods across Southeast Asia. A notably high prevalence of perimortem sharp and blunt force trauma, mostly to the head, was observed in the northwest region. Because of the poor preservation of the remains, pathological lesions were infrequently observed. Further bioarcheological research in Cambodia is recommended to enable a full understanding of the health and lifestyle of past populations. Understanding the relationship between general patterns across time and place in a broader context will be important in the next stage of research. This review also highlights the importance of local bioarcheological researchers and research education—these are the researchers who will be crucial to developing bioarcheology in Cambodia.
