44 posts · 15,945 views
Katy Meyers is a mortuary archaeology grad student at Michigan State University.
Bones Don't Lie
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- May 22, 2012
- 10:43 AM
- 34 views
Using Mortuary Evidence to Determine Political Economy
by Katy Meyers in Bones Don't Lie
Political economy refers to the social relations and political structures that guide the economic practices of a group. Traditionally this has meant looking at the coercion and control of the commoners by elites. However, newer interpretations include the role that the non-elites play in structuring these relations and shaping the economy, as well as the … Continue reading »... Read more »
Shepard, B. (2012) Political economic reorganization among non-state societies: A case study using Middle Holocene mortuary data from the Cis-Baikal, Russia. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, 31(3), 365-380. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaa.2012.03.001
- May 15, 2012
- 08:09 AM
- 84 views
Determining sex from stable isotope analysis
by Katy Meyers in Bones Don't Lie
Stable isotope analysis is used in a number of ways to inform our interpretations about people in the past. Nitrogen and carbon are used to determine long term nutritional and dietary patterns. C13 is used to discriminate between C4 and C3 plant consumption. Most plants are C3 and have lower C13 ratios, so a higher … Continue reading »... Read more »
Jaouen, K., Balter, V., Herrscher, E., Lamboux, A., Telouk, P., & Albarède, F. (2012) Fe and Cu stable isotopes in archeological human bones and their relationship to sex. American Journal of Physical Anthropology. DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.22053
- May 10, 2012
- 07:40 AM
- 78 views
Bronze Age Skeletons Composites of Multiple Individuals
by Katy Meyers in Bones Don't Lie
Manipulation of human skeletal material is not unusually. The deceased may be moved to a new location, or singular pieces can be removed as relics or memorials. However, when we find what appears to be a complete skeleton we make the assumption that it represents a single individual. New research may call this assumption into … Continue reading »... Read more »
Hanna, J., Bouwman, A., Brown, K., Pearson, M., & Brown, T. (2012) Ancient DNA typing shows that a bronze age mummy is a composite of different skeletons. Journal of Archaeological Science. DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2012.04.030
- May 8, 2012
- 08:00 AM
- 102 views
A New Way to Excavate Chamber Tombs
by Katy Meyers in Bones Don't Lie
Excavation is not always a straightforward process of removing soil in specific cultural and natural layers. It needs to be done carefully to note all inclusions and levels. As I discussed in my post about archaeothanatology, if we do the work in a systematic way that pays attention to the way that the soil has … Continue reading »... Read more »
Karkanas, P., Dabney, M., Smith, R., & Wright, J. (2012) The Geoarchaeology of Mycenaean chamber tombs. Journal of Archaeological Science. DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2012.04.016
- May 1, 2012
- 05:03 PM
- 62 views
Skeletal Trauma from Medieval Oslo
by Katy Meyers in Bones Don't Lie
The Medieval period is one characterized throughout the Western world as one of violence. Artwork from this era shows not only violence done towards other cultural groups, but dangers and suffering from daily life. Historical texts document the violence of heroes and villains, their phrases often loaded with drama. Scholars have argued that this violence … Continue reading »... Read more »
Brødholt, E., & Holck, P. (2012) Skeletal trauma in the burials from the royal church of St. Mary in medieval Oslo. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 22(2), 201-218. DOI: 10.1002/oa.1198
- April 17, 2012
- 07:55 AM
- 39 views
Scurvy During the Irish Famine
by Katy Meyers in Bones Don't Lie
During the 18th and 19th centuries there are many well documented cases of scurvy in historical records, however paleopathological evidence for disease in Britain has not found the correlating skeletal evidence. This lack of skeletal evidence is thought to be due primarily to misunderstanding and misdiagnosis of the skeletal lesions relating to the disease, especially in … Continue reading »... Read more »
Geber, J., & Murphy, E. (2012) Scurvy in the great irish famine: Evidence of vitamin C deficiency from a mid-19th century skeletal population. American Journal of Physical Anthropology. DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.22066
- April 5, 2012
- 03:42 PM
- 146 views
Can you excavate twins?
by Katy Meyers in Bones Don't Lie
While most mammals have multiple offspring at a time, in humans the phenomenon is fairly rare. The rate of multiple births varies from 1.3 to 3.5% by country, although these have increased slightly in the past decade with the introduction of artificial reproductive techniques. Attitudes towards multiple births varies by culture, from being a sign … Continue reading »... Read more »
Flohr, S. (2012) Twin Burials in Prehistory: A Possible Case from the Iron Age of Germany. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. DOI: 10.1002/oa.2236
Crespo, L., Subirà, M., & Ruiz, J. (2011) Twins in prehistory: The case from Olèrdola (Barcelona, Spain; s. IV II BC). International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 21(6), 751-756. DOI: 10.1002/oa.1169
Marshall, C., Tench, P., Cook, D., & Kaestle, F. (2011) Brief communication: Conjoined twins at angel mounds? an ancient DNA perspective. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 146(1), 138-142. DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.21557
- April 3, 2012
- 02:13 PM
- 115 views
Basketmaker II Cave 7: Massacre or Cemetery?
by Katy Meyers in Bones Don't Lie
Mass graves can lead to quite fantastic conclusions: they can be the remains of victims of a deadly disease, sacrifice, warfare or massacre. Looking at the broader contextual evidence, both historical and archaeological, can aid in determining what assemblages of human remains found deposited in a single moment mean. Its important to look for injuries, … Continue reading »... Read more »
Coltrain, J., Janetski, J., & Lewis, M. (2012) A re-assessment of Basketmaker II cave 7: massacre site or cemetery context. Journal of Archaeological Science. DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2012.02.018
- March 27, 2012
- 05:32 PM
- 196 views
The Diet of Nelson’s Navy
by Katy Meyers in Bones Don't Lie
I have previously discussed the excavations and bioarchaeology of Nelson’s Navy, however new research is adding to the story. Nelson’s Navy was active during the early 19th century, and many of their remains were buried at naval hospitals in Plymouth and Gosport. A new publication by Roberts et al. (2012) discusses the results of stable … Continue reading »... Read more »
Roberts P, Weston S, Wild B, Boston C, Ditchfield P, Shortland AJ, & Pollard AM. (2012) The men of Nelson's navy: A comparative stable isotope dietary study of late 18th century and early 19th century servicemen from Royal Naval Hospital burial grounds at Plymouth and Gosport, England. American journal of physical anthropology. PMID: 22407735
- March 15, 2012
- 07:22 AM
- 215 views
Slave Cemetery from St. Helena
by Katy Meyers in Bones Don't Lie
Slavery is an institution in which people are treated as property. Due to the perception that they aren’t actually human, they can be bought, sold, and used like any other belonging. In the past, slavery was a part of many societies, and it is only recently that it has been outlawed and viewed as inappropriate. … Continue reading »... Read more »
Rathbun, T. (1987) Health and disease at a South Carolina plantation: 1840–1870. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 74(2), 239-253. DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.1330740211
Corruccini, R., Handler, J., Mutaw, R., & Lange, F. (1982) Osteology of a slave burial population from Barbados, West Indies. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 59(4), 443-459. DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.1330590414
- March 13, 2012
- 09:09 PM
- 195 views
Prehistoric Secondary Burial in Argentina
by Katy Meyers in Bones Don't Lie
Regeneration, replacement and restoration are common themes in funerary rites. The fear of death and the end is mediated by a number of human societies by focusing on renewal on life. This can manifest in rituals, feasting, burial locations and even the treatment of the body. Egyptians preserved the body in order to assure passing … Continue reading »... Read more »
Martínez, G., Flensborg, G., & Bayala, P. (2012) Human corpse manipulation and the body as symbol: A case study from the Eastern Pampa–Patagonia transition (Argentina) during the Final Late Holocene. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, 31(2), 215-226. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaa.2011.12.002
- March 8, 2012
- 12:04 PM
- 214 views
International Women’s Day 2012
by Katy Meyers in Bones Don't Lie
Today is International Women’s Day. From their site, they describe this as “a global day celebrating the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future. It has been observed since the early 1900s, celebrating and empowering women the world over. Annually on 8 March, thousands of events are held throughout the world … Continue reading »... Read more »
Redfern, R., & DeWitte, S. (2011) A new approach to the study of Romanization in Britain: A regional perspective of cultural change in late Iron Age and Roman Dorset using the Siler and Gompertz-Makeham models of mortality. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 144(2), 269-285. DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.21400
Brück, J. (2009) Women, Death and Social Change in the British Bronze Age. Norwegian Archaeological Review, 42(1), 1-23. DOI: 10.1080/00293650902907151
Crown, P., & Fish, S. (1996) Gender and Status in the Hohokam Pre-Classic to Classic Transition. American Anthropologist, 98(4), 803-817. DOI: 10.1525/aa.1996.98.4.02a00100
- March 6, 2012
- 11:28 AM
- 188 views
Using Burial Sites and Skeletal Remains to Assess Romanization
by Katy Meyers in Bones Don't Lie
Britain was first invaded by the Romans during the reign of Caesar in 54-55 BCE, which began their gradual incorporation into the Empire. However, it wasn’t until 43 CE, with the complete conquest of England under Claudius that social, political and economic changes were enforced in the native populations. Archaeological studies show a break in … Continue reading »... Read more »
Redfern, R., & DeWitte, S. (2011) A new approach to the study of Romanization in Britain: A regional perspective of cultural change in late Iron Age and Roman Dorset using the Siler and Gompertz-Makeham models of mortality. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 144(2), 269-285. DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.21400
Redfern, R., & DeWitte, S. (2011) Status and health in Roman Dorset: The effect of status on risk of mortality in post-conquest populations. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 146(2), 197-208. DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.21563
Redfern, R., Millard, A., & Hamlin, C. (2012) A regional investigation of subadult dietary patterns and health in late Iron Age and Roman Dorset, England. Journal of Archaeological Science, 39(5), 1249-1259. DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2011.12.023
- March 1, 2012
- 02:32 PM
- 276 views
Mortuary Practices and Gender Ideology at Cherokee Site
by Katy Meyers in Bones Don't Lie
Burials are a result of individual and group identity, social relationships and the construction of social memory. Therefore we can examine social structures of the past by looking at burial forms; with differentiation in burial practice indicative of social statuses, whether individual, vertical hierarchy or horizontal group distinctions (Joyce 2001). It is because of this … Continue reading »... Read more »
Rodning, C. (2011) Mortuary practices, gender ideology, and the Cherokee town at the Coweeta Creek site. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, 30(2), 145-173. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaa.2010.12.006
- February 28, 2012
- 01:20 PM
- 239 views
Landscapes of Death
by Katy Meyers in Bones Don't Lie
Spatial analysis of cemeteries and mortuary sites is valuable for interpreting social structures, symbolism, relationships to ancestors and function. Burial sites are rarely incidental locations. Early American cultures buried the deceased in large platform mounds. Anglo-saxons buried their dead in the same spaces where the Romans did throughout England. Neolithic barrow tombs were territorial markers … Continue reading »... Read more »
Bongers, J., Arkush, E., & Harrower, M. (2011) Landscapes of death: GIS-based analyses of chullpas in the western Lake Titicaca basin. Journal of Archaeological Science. DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2011.11.018
- February 23, 2012
- 02:57 PM
- 230 views
The role of cosmetics in Teotihuacan funerary rites
by Katy Meyers in Bones Don't Lie
If you’ve ever read Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum novels, you know that makeup can play a very important role in funerals. In “Two for the Dough”, Grandma Mazur ranks funeral parlors based on a number of criteria, including their ability to properly do one’s makeup. “‘When I die you make sure I’m taken to Stiva’ … Continue reading »... Read more »
Doménech-Carbó, M., Vázquez de Agredos-Pascual, M., Osete-Cortina, L., Doménech-Carbó, A., Guasch-Ferré, N., Manzanilla, L., & Vidal-Lorenzo, C. (2012) Characterization of prehispanic cosmetics found in a burial of the ancient city of Teotihuacan (Mexico). Journal of Archaeological Science, 39(4), 1043-1062. DOI: 10.1016/j.jas.2011.12.001
- February 16, 2012
- 09:57 AM
- 296 views
Comparing Cortical Bone Loss
by Katy Meyers in Bones Don't Lie
Osteoporosis is an increasingly important issue in modern Western health, and is a serious problem for many older individuals. Bone loss is clearly associated with age and sex, most notably found among women over 50. Osteoporosis does have a multifactorial causes, therefore in order to understand the root cause of the disease it is important … Continue reading »... Read more »
Beauchesne, P., & Agarwal, S. (2011) Age-Related Cortical Bone Maintenance and Loss in an Imperial Roman Population. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. DOI: 10.1002/oa.1303
Mays, S. (2006) Age-related cortical bone loss in women from a 3rd–4th century AD population from England. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 129(4), 518-528. DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.20365
- February 14, 2012
- 12:24 PM
- 250 views
Estimating Age at Death from Dental Remains
by Katy Meyers in Bones Don't Lie
On Friday, February 10th, Michigan State University’s Department of Anthropology hosted Dr. Lyle Konigsberg, from the Department Anthropolgoy of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. In his most recent article in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology (V. 147 (2) February … Continue reading →... Read more »
Shackelford LL, Harris AE, & Konigsberg LW. (2012) Estimating the distribution of probable age-at-death from dental remains of immature human fossils. American journal of physical anthropology, 147(2), 227-53. PMID: 22190291
Smith, T., Tafforeau, P., Reid, D., Pouech, J., Lazzari, V., Zermeno, J., Guatelli-Steinberg, D., Olejniczak, A., Hoffman, A., Radovcic, J.... (2010) Dental evidence for ontogenetic differences between modern humans and Neanderthals. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 107(49), 20923-20928. DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1010906107
- February 7, 2012
- 03:03 PM
- 556 views
Bahamian Death in its Cultural Context
by Katy Meyers in Bones Don't Lie
Interpreting mortuary patterns of the deceased requires not only archaeological evidence, but an understanding of the broader cultural patterns. Funerary rites and burial practices are shaped by the social and cultural ideologies and structures of the community. Mortuary patterns have … Continue reading →... Read more »
Schaffer, W., Carr, R., Day, J., & Pateman, M. (2012) Lucayan-Taíno burials from Preacher's cave, Eleuthera, Bahamas. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology, 22(1), 45-69. DOI: 10.1002/oa.1180
- February 2, 2012
- 07:00 AM
- 263 views
Individual vs. Population Identity in Bioarchaeology
by Katy Meyers in Bones Don't Lie
Traditionally when bioarchaeologists are discussing trends in disease or burial patterns, while it may be based on individuals, it is spoken about at the population level. We assess the way that culture and biology shape populations. Human remains are lumped … Continue reading →... Read more »
Zvelebil, M., & Weber, A. (2012) Human bioarchaeology: Group identity and individual life histories – Introduction. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology. DOI: 10.1016/j.jaa.2012.01.003
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