The thesis explores burial practices across all three phases (early, middle and late) of the Anglo-Saxon period (c.450–1066 AD) in Norfolk and the relationship with the identity of the deceased. It is argued that despite the plethora of research that there are few studies that address all three phases and despite acknowledgement that regional variation existed, fewer do so within the context of a single locality. By looking across the whole Anglo-Saxon period, in one locality, this research identified that subtler changes in burial practices were visible. Previous research has tended to separate the cremation and inhumation rites. This research has shown that in Norfolk the use of the two rites may have been related and used to convey aspects of identity and / or social position, from a similar or opposing perspective, possibly relating to a pre-Christian belief system. This thesis stresses the importance of establishing biological identity through osteological analysis and in comparing biological identity with the funerary evidence. Burial practices were related to the biological identity of the deceased across the three periods and within the different site types, but the less common burial practices had the greatest associations with the biological identity of the deceased, presumably to convey social role or status. Whilst the inclusion of grave-goods created the early Anglo-Saxon burial tableau, a later burial tableau was created using the grave and / or the position of the body and an increasing connection between the biological and the social identity of the deceased, noted throughout the Anglo-Saxon period in Norfolk, corresponds with the timeline of the religious transition. / Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) / Some images have been removed due to copyright restrictions.

There has been historical failure to exploit skeletal data in archaeological syntheses of the Neolithic, compounded by poor or cursory osteological reports. This project aimed to discover what Neolithic Orcadian life was like, arguing from skeletal evidence. Orkney¿s exceptional site preservation and large skeletal collections present opportunities for detailed analysis. The Orkney environment presented identifiable constraints to Neolithic lifeways. Isbister chambered cairn produced the largest assemblage of human remains from any single British Neolithic site. This was examined alongside other Neolithic collections to discover evidence for, and develop models of Neolithic life. The demographic structure indicates that twice as many adult males were deposited as females. Few young infants were in the assemblage but disproportionately many older children and young adults. Stable light isotope analysis suggested age and sex-related dietary differences with a predominantly terrestrial protein source. Pathological conditions included scurvy, multiple myeloma and osteoarthritis. Trauma and non-specific lesions were common and affected all age and sex groups. Prevalences of pathological conditions seemed high and may reflect a group selected for some reason related to disability or deformity. The interred individuals probably held some special status within their society. The chambered cairns¿ commingled bones do not indicate an egalitarian society or contemporary ancestor veneration but suggest monumental tombs had some special role possibly related to violent death or supernatural liminality. / Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC). NERC-AHRC National Radiocarbon Facility grant (NF/2010/2/6).

In theory, a facial reconstruction can sound quite easy. There are handbooks that describe the process step by step and for the untrained eye all skulls look almost the same. However, this is not the case. Every skull has it ́s unique shape and proportions which make up our significant variations in our faces. It is what make us distinguishable from one another. The work of a forensic artist combine science and art in the fields of archeology and anthropology with forensic methods. This paper will take you through the journey, beginning with the history with the development of the early science to our modern techniques in forensic cases. It will include case files of modern forensic facial reconstruction and reconstructions of famous people that has been done throughout the years. The analyze and discussion will focus on the problematic aspect of recreating a face for a human and the use of reconstruction in museums and if it ́s a reliable enough to use in forensic police work.

Um dos principais desafios na ictiologia Neotropical moderna refere-se à sistemática de Characidae, uma família com aproximadamente 950 espécies, dois terços da diversidade de Characiformes. Recentemente, tem sido sugerido que subunidades de Characidae sejam primeiramente estudadas e reconhecidas visando um melhor entendimento da sistemática da família como um todo. Characinae é uma destas subunidades que guarda especial importância por incluir Charax, gênero-tipo de Characidae e Characiformes. Doze gêneros e 79 espécies têm sido incluídos em Characinae, mas a subfamília ainda não havia sido foco de estudo filogenético. No presente trabalho, 35 espécies de todos os gêneros de Characinae e 29 representantes de outras linhagens de Characiformes foram incluídas em uma matriz com 151 caracteres provenientes do estudo comparado da morfologia externa, miologia e osteologia, submetida a duas análises cladísticas. Uma delas, sem incluir o gênero Priocharax, resultou em 50 árvores igualmente parcimoniosas (L=697, IC=0.29, IR=0.73). No cladograma de consenso estrito, Characinae como tradicionalmente reconhecido não é um grupo monofilético. Os gêneros usualmente atribuídos à subfamília resultaram em dois clados separados, cada qual mais proximamente relacionado a diferentes subunidades de Characiformes. Sete gêneros formam o primeiro clado (Phenacogaster ((Charax Roeboides) (Acanthocharax (Cynopotamus (Acestrocephalus Galeocharax))))), ao qual o nome Characinae é restrito. Ele é sustentado por onze sinapomorfias não ambíguas e é mais relacionado em uma politomia a outros gêneros de Characidae (i.e., Astyanax, Cheirodon, Gymnocorymbus, Hyphessobrycon, Odontostilbe e Tetragonopterus). O segundo clado inclui a tribo Heterocharacini (Lonchogenys (Heterocharax Hoplocharax)) como grupo-irmão de Gnathocharax. Seis sinapomorfias não ambíguas sustentam o monofiletismo deste clado que, por sua vez, é mais proximamente relacionado a um clado formado por Roestes e Gilbertolus, com base em oito sinapomorfias não ambíguas. O resultado da análise não corrobora a hipótese de relacionamento próximo entre Roestes e Gilbertolus e Cynodontinae. A inclusão do gênero Priocharax, que compreende duas espécies miniatura (100 árvores, L=697, IC=0.29, IR=0.73) sugere que ele é mais relacionado aos Heterocharacini com base na morfologia do pseudotímpano, aparelho de Weber e esqueleto caudal. No entanto, as profundas modificações de sua anatomia possivelmente relacionadas a eventos de truncamento ontogenético dificultam um melhor entendimento a cerca das relações deste gênero. Um estudo anatômico detalhado de Priocharax pretende fornecer evidências adicionais no que se refere às suas relações filogenéticas. Com base na hipótese de relações obtida através da análise, é proposta uma nova classificação de Characinae e Roestinae / One of the main challenges in modern Neotropical ichthyology refers to the systematics of the Characidae, a family with approximately 950 species, two-thirds of the diversity in Characiformes. It has been suggested that subunits of the Characidae should first be studied and recognized for a better understanding of the family as a whole. Characinae is one such subunit with special importance for including Charax, type-genus of the Characidae and Characiformes. Twelve genera and 79 species have been included in the Characinae, but the subfamily still lacked a phylogenetic diagnosis. In the present study, 35 species of all genera of the Characinae and 29 representing other lineages within Characiformes were included in a matrix with 151 characters from external morphology, myology and osteology, submitted to two cladistic analyses. One of them (excluding Priocharax from the dataset) resulted in 50 equally most parsimonious trees (L=697, IC=0.29, IR=0.73). In the strict consensus cladogram, Characinae as traditionally recognized is not a monophyletic group. Genera usually assigned to the subfamily resulted in two separate clades, each more related to different lineages in Characiformes. Seven genera form the first clade (Phenacogaster ((Charax Roeboides) (Acanthocharax (Cynopotamus (Acestrocephalus Galeocharax))))) to which the name Characinae is restricted. It is supported by eleven non-ambiguous synapomorphies and is more related in a politomy to other genera of the Characidae (i.e., Astyanax, Cheirodon, Gymnocorymbus, Hyphessobrycon, Odontostilbe and Tetragonopterus). The second clade includes the tribe Heterocharacini (Lonchogenys (Heterocharax Hoplocharax)) as the sister-group of Gnathocharax. Six non-ambiguous synapomorphies support this clade, which is more related to a clade formed by Roestes and Gilbertolus based on eight non-ambiguous synapomorphies. Results presented in this study do not corroborate a close relationship between Roestes and Gilbertolus and the Cynodontinae. Inclusion of the genus Priocharax, with two miniature species (100 trees, L=697, CI=0.29, RI=0.73) suggests that it is more related to the Heterocharacini based on the morphology of the pseudotympanum, Weberian apparatus and caudal skeleton. The profound modifications in its anatomy possibly related to ontogenetic truncations, however, obscure a better understanding on the relations of this genus. A detailed anatomical study of Priocharax is being designed intended to provide additional evidence regarding its phylogenetic relationships. A new classification of the Characinae and the Roestinae is proposed based on the phylogenetic hypothesis obtained herein

Despite the potential of a biocultural methodology, osteology and archaeology are often approached separately in some parts of Central Europe. This osteoarchaeological thesis presents a rare comparative study of populations occupying modern-day Slovakia, Moravia, and Bohemia from the Neolithic to the Early Bronze Age (EBA). By examining skeletal indicators of health and lifestyle, it aims to contribute to bioarchaeological research within the study region. It also provides new insights into a series of important sites where no osteological evaluation of skeletal remains have previously been performed. Human remains from thirty-four sites in Slovakia, Moravia and Bohemia, 152 adults and 136 subadults, were analysed. Demographic, pathological and metric data were recorded and evaluated, and compared with previously published data for contemporaneous populations in order to create a more comprehensive representation of the populations in the area. The results suggest several differences between the Neolithic and the following periods, mostly as regards health status. Higher dietary and environmental stress was indicated in the Neolithic period, as suggested by lower mortality peak (especially of females and subadults) and about 5cm shorter stature, and generally worse health status of Neolithic population when compared to the Chalcolithic and EBA individuals. The Neolithic is also the only period where females were more numerous than males. Such a trend is quite common in the Neolithic of the study region. This may be a result of increased migration of Neolithic females, as raids for wives are suggested to have been practiced. As indicated by both the osteological and archaeological record, one of the sites examined, Svodín, could have been a site of contemporary elites and their family members. Chalcolithic populations revealed differences in cranial shape, being mesocephalic (medium-headed) or brachycephalic (short-headed), whereas both the Neolithic and the EBA populations were dolichocephalic (long-headed). Differences in male and female cranial features suggest a possible mixing of indigenous and incoming populations. Such results may contribute to the ongoing discussion about the ‘foreignness‘ of Chalcolithic Bell Beaker people in the area. Traumatic lesions suggest that males were more physically active than females in all three periods, including violent encounters. Even though violence was recorded in all three periods, especially in the western part of the region, and the intensity and brutality of the assaults appears to increase in the Chalcolithic and culminating in the EBA. In addition, poorer health status of EBA children was recorded, possibly related to more marked social differentiation in the period. In general, poorer health was implied for the prehistoric populations of today’s Slovakia. The results of this study can serve as the basis for future research and contribute to a more comprehensive image of lifestyle and development of prehistoric populations in the study area.

In this study bone material from six stone ship settings and a total of seven deposits of bones from two sites on the island of Gotland have been analyzed. Four ship settings from the burial site at Gålrum in Alskog parish and two from Tängelgårda in Lärbro parish. The ships contained both cremated remains and inhumations.  Human remains were identified in five of the analyzed ship settings and a minimum of six individuals was identified in total.  Animals were found in three of the ship settings, where one of them contained only the burned remains of a dog. Two of the ships contained inhumations, one in Gålrum and one in Tängelgårda. The one from Gålrum was determined to 17-19 years of age but of undetermined sex. The inhumation from Tängelgårda was determined to a male of 35-64 years of age.  Of the cremated remains none could be determined to sex but all were determined as adult individuals. The temperature that the cremated bones had been exposed to during the cremation was similar between the different ship settings, with one exception which had been exposed to a slightly higher temperature. The results of the material have also been compared with those of other osteological analysis from ship settings on Gotland. The interpretation of this has been that the amount of bone and the number of individuals that has been buried in stone ship settings vary from different sites. Some ship settings have contained several burials and have been interpreted as family graves (Pettersson 1982) which do not fit with the results from this analysis where all the ship settings contained a maximum of one or two human individuals, so the results from the ship settings on Gålrum and Tängelgårda differ from earlier interpretations of ship settings on Gotland.

This thesis is an attempt to gather and discuss the archaeological and osteological results that has been found in stone ship settings on Gotland. The bone material from five ship settings, one stone setting and a cairn from the bronze age complex at Rannarve in Klinte parish on Gotland has been osteologically analysed during this study to further expand the osteological results that are available from ship settings on Gotland and try to interpret this site. The aim is to try to find what artefacts and bone patterns that can be distinguished from the material found within ship settings. What patterns can be seen in artefacts, age, sex and burial contexts that has been found in ship settings? What are the most common patterns? / Den här uppsatsen är ett försök till att samla och diskutera vilka arkeologiska och osteologiska resultat som påträffats i skeppssättningar på Gotland. Benmaterialet från fem skeppssättningar, en stensättning och ett röse i Rannarve i Klinte socken på Gotland har analyserats osteologiskt för att utöka de osteologiska resultaten som finns tillgängliga för skeppssättningar på Gotland samt för att försöka tolka platsen. Målet är att försöka se vilka föremål och benmönster som går att urskilja från materialet och se vilka mönster som finns mellan fynd, ålder, kön och gravkontext i de olika skeppssättningarna, samt vilka mönster som är de mest vanliga.

No description available.

In order to elucidate the effects of NPY directly on bone tissue, two different doses of NPY (NPY dose 1= 1X10-5 M and NPY dose 2 = 1X 10&amp / #65533 / 6 M) and NPY dose 2 plus its inhibitor were applied together with hyaluronic acid (HA) into the intramedullary area of right tibia of Wistar rats. HA alone was administered as the control group. On three time points, day one, week one and week two after administration, the tibiae were collected and stored at &amp / #65533 / 20oC for analysis. Evaluation was performed via conventional radiography, dual energy X-ray absorbtiometry (DEXA), quantitative computerized tomography (QCT), three point bending test (TPB) and histology techniques. QCT was used to assess both atomic content and density of both medulla and cortex of tibiae. From DEXA results, it was observed that inhibition of NPY causes an increase in the bone mass from first day to second week. This phenomena was also observed in histology results so that new bone formation in the inhibitor administered bone was encountered at week two. In both medulla and cortex areas&amp / #65533 / atomic content, an increase in average effective atomic number was displayed after administration of NPY plus NPY inhibitor throughout two weeks. In addition, density of medulla of tibiae measured by QCT also revealed an increase in bone mass when inhibitor is applied throughout two weeks. As a result, overall evaluation of data obtained from DEXA, QCT and histological analysis revealed that NPY inhibits bone formation or have a pro-osteoclastic effect / inversely HA displayed osteogenic effect.

One of the first concerns for forensic anthropologists in dealing with skeletal remains in the Australian context is the determination of whether the remains are of anthropological, historical or archaeological interest. If fewer than 75 years have elapsed since death, remains are classified as anthropological and of forensic interest. However, an accurate and reliable method for estimating time since death (TSD) from human skeletal remains has thus far eluded forensic anthropologists. This study investigates the application in an Australian context of a novel approach proposed by Swift (2001) to dating skeletal remains from their contained levels of radioisotopes 210Po, 238U and 226Ra and trace elements. Radionuclide activity concentrations were determined using alpha and gamma spectrometry. Trace element concentrations were measured on three separate occasions using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Discriminant analysis of the combination of activity concentration values for 210Po, 238U and 226Ra indicated the possibility of separation of bones derived from individuals who had died in the three eras of interest. Additionally, variations in the concentration levels of specific trace elements and certain inter-element relationships between elements also showed significant correlations with TSD. The study could not be exhaustive as access to human skeletal material was limited and additionally, the archaeological material had a different origin and post-death history to material from the more recent past. However, trend lines for inter-relationships between specific metals and for radionuclides indicated that all material fitted the same generally projected trends and as such, inferences with respect to variations of trace elements and radionuclides could be made with confidence. Bone radionuclide activity and calcium concentrations were all significantly higher in bones from the archaeological era than those from more recent eras, while trace lead concentrations contained in samples from the more recent historical era were significantly higher than those from other eras. Barium, lanthanum, rubidium, strontium, cerium and neodymium concentrations were all significantly correlated with one another and with radionuclide activity concentrations. Differences were found between the patterns of radionuclide activity and trace element concentrations between the skull and femur. The results of this study lend support to suggestions that multivariate analysis of trace element concentrations and radionuclide activity levels could aid in the estimation of time since death from skeletal remains in Australia. Although this study made use of only a limited amount of material, results clearly indicated the need to take into account variations arising from lifetime activities, diagenesis and bone type in applying the techniques to estimations of time since death. It highlights the need for a large-scale study using bone of known ages that systematically examines these influences on the estimation of time since death.