Forensic Anthropology, Paleopathology, and the Creation of Osteobiographies

Abstract

Over the past few decades scientists in the fields of Forensic Anthroplogy and Human Osteology have developed new ways of interpreting human bones. Through observation of trauma present on the from bone before, during, and after death, they are able give a partial story of a person's life. This analysis is used on both modern and historic peoples to explain what their lives were like. This paper looks at trauma caused by enironmental and occupational factors in order to show how economic class, life style, location, and occupation can be determined through the analysis of osteological materials. It uses four case studies from various regions and time periods to show the interpretation of human remains and the subjects' osteobiographies.