Atlantic Scotland provides plentiful and often dramatic evidence for settlement during the Iron Age but, like much of Europe, very little is known of the funerary traditions of communities in this region. Formal burial appears to have been rare, and evidence for alternative mortuary treatments is dispersed, varied and, to date, poorly understood. This study sets out to examine for the first time all human remains dating to the Iron Age in Atlantic Scotland, found in a variety of contexts ranging from formal cemeteries to occupied domestic sites. This data-set, despite its limitations, forms the basis for a new understanding of funerary treatment and daily life in later prehistoric Atlantic Scotland, signifying the development of an extraordinary range of different methods of dealing with, and harnessing the power of, the dead during this period. This information in turn can contribute to wider issues surrounding attitudes to the dead, religious belief, domestic life and the nature of society in Iron Age Europe.

Identification of cadavers and skeletal findings Abstract "Identification" is an act of declaration of identity. The identity (particularly in today's globalized society) deservedly draws attention not only in a normal social interaction, but is also enshrined legally. Its purpose is also important in the sad events of last identification of a person - the identification of the dead. Thesis sets as a goal in a clear and comprehensible form to offer a presentment to an extremely interesting and inspiring topic of identification of the dead human body, using multidisciplinary approach with focus to criminological practice. It provides a comprehensive overview of all the components of identifying corpses, demonstrates the process of identifying, from the finding of the dead body, through autopsy, up to some practice expertise to determine its identity. To achieve this, the method of literature review using books and journals, both domestic and foreign, with subsequent synthesis of acquired knowledge and information with their critical evaluations is used. Clarity, however, is not exchanged for cursoriness and perfunctoriness in the work and therefore some topics suitable for detailed analysis (analysis of DNA, thanatology, the procedure of finding dead bodies in the terrain) are evolved in such a degree to...

DNA as forensic evidence is valuable in criminal investigations. Implementation of new, sensitive and fast technologies is an important part of forensic genetic research. This thesis aims to evaluate new sensitive methods to apply in forensic DNA analysis including analysis of old skeletal remains. In Paper I and II, two novel systems for analysis of STRs, based on the Pyrosequencing technology, are presented. In Paper I, Y chromosomal STRs are analysed. Markers on the male specific Y chromosome are especially useful in analysis of DNA mixtures. In Paper II, ten autosomal STRs are genotyped. The systems are based on sequencing of STR loci instead of size determination of STR fragments as in routine analysis. This provides a higher resolution since sequence variants within the repeats can be detected. Determination of alleles is based on a termination recognition base. This is the base in the template strand that is excluded from the dispensation order in the sequencing of the complementary strand and therefore terminates the reaction. Furthermore, skeletal remains are often difficult to analyse, due to damaging effects from the surrounding environment on the DNA and the high risk of exogenous contamination. Analysis of mitochondrial DNA is useful on degraded samples and in Paper III, mtDNA analysis of 700 years old skeletal remains is performed to investigate a maternal relationship. The quantity and quality of DNA are essential in forensic genetics. In Paper IV the efficiency of DNA isolation is investigated. Soaking skeletal remains in bleach is efficient for decontamination but result in a lower DNA yield, especially on pulverised skull samples. In conclusion, this thesis presents novel sequencing systems for accurate and fast analysis of STR loci that can be useful in evaluation of new loci and database assembly as well as the utility of mtDNA in forensic genetics.

The primary focus of this thesis is to examine the relationship between diet, as reconstructed via stable isotope analysis, and bone lead levels, quantified by trace element analysis for individuals interred at the Royal Naval Hospital Cemetery (RNHC), A.D. 1793-1822, in Antigua, West Indies. Individuals of both African and European ancestries were recovered from this colonial-era cemetery, and samples from their remains were analyzed to determine stable carbon and nitrogen isotope values (as a proxy for diet), and bone lead levels. The data were then compared in order to elucidate any association among the variables. This investigation revealed that the relationship between diet and lead may have been affected by many variables including ancestry, status, agency, and duration of stay in the West Indies. However, from the results presented in this thesis, the strongest correlation between stable isotope signatures and bone lead levels is in the relationship between δ13Ccollagen and lead for individuals consuming a diet primarily consisting of C3 staple starches and C3 fed animals. A secondary focus of this thesis is to estimate the extent to which the individuals interred at the RNHC may have suffered from symptoms of lead poisoning. Through conversion of bone lead levels to blood lead levels, potential symptomatology may be estimated in order to determine the percentage of individuals from the population that may have experienced mild to severe lead poisoning. In this population, a majority of individuals had high enough blood lead levels that they may have suffered from a range of symptoms associated with exposure to lead, which is not inconsistent with historical assertions that lead poisoning was of considerable detriment to the health and well-being of individuals serving in the British military in the colonial Caribbean. This study provides further insight into the health and lifeways of lower-ranking naval personnel and enslaved labourers owned by the Navy in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth century West Indies.

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.

Philosophiae Doctor - PhD / Age estimation of the skeletal remains of children can be accomplished by examination of the ossification centres and the fusion of the epiphyseal plates of long bones. Dental age estimation is done by examining the eruption of the deciduous and permanent teeth. Both these methods are inaccurate and are subject to the nutritional status of the individual. A more accurate method of age estimation is by the examination of radiographic images of the developmental stages of the tooth crown and root formation. Two methods of dental age estimation used are those of Moorrees, Fanning and Hunt (1963) (MFH) and that of Demirjian, Goldstein and Tanner (1973) (DGT). These methods were tested on a sample of 913 Tygerberg dental patients; a random mixture of Caucasoid and Khoisanoid children. The MFH method under-estimated the ages of the sample by an average of 0.91 years and the DGT method over-estimated the ages by an average of 0.89 years. Samples of Indian and Negroid children from Kwa-Zulu Natal were tested in a similar manner and the results showed similar under and over-estimation of the ages by these methods. The Negroid children were labelled the Zulu sample. Correction factors were derived for the MFH and DGT methods of dental age estimation when used on Tygerberg, Indian and Zulu children. These correction factors were tested on the samples and found to improve the accuracy of the age estimation methods of MFH and DGT significantly.A second sample group of Tygerberg, Indian and Zulu children were then tested firstly using the standard method of MFH and DGT and the using the correction factors. The results showed that the correction factors improved the age estimation on these samples except in the case of the DGT method on Zulu children. A sample of Xhosa speaking children were added to the two Zulu samples and made an Nguni sample. The Tygerberg samples were combined as were the Indian samples to form data bases for the construction of dental age related tables for Tygerberg, Indian and Nguni children. These tables show that there are distinct differences in the ages at which the teeth develop in the different sample groups and that dental age related tables are necessary for children of different population origins. Statistical analysis of the age related tables from this study (Phillips Tables) show these tables are more accurate in the age estimation of South African children.

Estimating age at death from skeletal remains can be done with relative accuracy when a skeleton is complete, however incomplete and/or poorly preserved skeletons pose a problem in assigning an accurate age range to unknown remains. Techniques for determining age at death from the microstructure of bone have shown to be relatively accurate in North American and European populations but, until recently, had not been attempted on a South African group. This technique is based on the fact that bone remodels and changes throughout an individual’s life. The purpose of this study was to develop standards for estimating age at death, using bone microstructure, that are applicable to a South African population. The sample consisted of 146 individuals (105 males and 41 females) of known age and sex. A 0.2 cm x 1.0 cm sample was removed from the anterior surface of the femur, and slides were prepared according to standard histological methodology. Ten variables, which included the total osteon count (measurable and non-measurable), the average Haversian canal diameter, the average number of lamellae per osteon, the total number of osteon fragments, the number of non-haversian canals, the total number of resorption spaces and the average percentage of osteonal bone, unremodeled bone and fragmental bone were assessed. The relationship between the changes in each of the variables with age was examined. Four variables demonstrated significant correlation with age and included the total osteon count (r = 0.53), the percentage unremodeled bone (r = -0.53), the total number of non-haversian canals (r = -0.55) and the average percentage of fragmental bone (r = 0.55). These variables were then used to calculate single and multiple linear regression formulae to determine age. Coefficient of determination (r2) for multiple regression analyses ranged from r2 = 0.27 to 0.42. The general range of the standard error of the estimate (SEE) for this study ranged between 13.31 and 14.04 years and is similar to the results of previous studies. Various factors may have contributed to low r2 values, such as poor nutrition, mechanical stress to the bones and misreporting of age of the individuals in the sample. The microscopic techniques appear to not be more accurate than macroscopic methods for estimating age at death, but can be useful in situations were remains are fragmentary or in combination with macroscopic methods. / Dissertation (MSc (Anatomy))--University of Pretoria, 2007. / Anatomy / unrestricted

Research on the estimation of age at death, sex and stature from skeletal remains has received more attention than methods used to evaluate ancestry. While this may be due to the stigma attached to classifying people into groups, the application, interpretation and precision of non-metric methods used to predict ancestry need to be examined; as these variables are routinely applied to forensic case work in South Africa. The aim of this study was to score fifteen non-metric cranial traits, namely nasal bone structure, nasal breadth, nasal overgrowth, anterior nasal spine, inferior nasal margin, interorbital breadth, zygomaxillary suture shape, malar tubercle, alveolar prognathism, mandibular and palatine tori, shovelshaped incisors, Carabelli’s cusps and the transverse palatine suture shape on a South African sample, with the intent to assess the influence of sex, ancestry and age at death on these facial features. A total of 520 crania were obtained from the Pretoria Bone, Raymond A. Dart and Kirsten Collections in South Africa and included 237 (135 males, 102 females) Africans, 158 (94 males, 63 females) Europeans and 125 (87 males, 38 females) persons of Coloured origin. Data were analyzed using SPSS v.11.5 for Windows. Ordinal regression was used to evaluate the effect the independent variables (age, sex and ancestry) had on the dependent variable (non-metric traits). Results showed that all the variables were associated with ancestral differences among and within groups. Interorbital breadth, nasal bone structure, nasal breadth and shovel-shaped incisors exhibited statistically significant interactions with sex and ancestry, whereas the appearance of the anterior nasal spine, alveolar prognathism, incisor shovelling of the upper incisors, and Carabelli’s cusp morphology were correlated with age at death. If traditional classification methods are used, then these non-metric traits are not a valid prediction of ancestry in South African populations. Future research is to focus on several statistical approaches, including multi-variate analysis, for the classification of non-metric traits. Copyright / Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2010. / Anatomy / unrestricted

We present an unusual example of multiple mesosternal foramina (MMF). The alignment of the paired defects is unlike any previously described. Although single sternal defects are often encountered, paired defects are quite uncommon. This is the first documented example of bilateral paired defects in the sternum.

Yes / Recent advances in the methods of skeletal age estimation have rekindled interest in their applicability to paleodemography. The current study contributes to the discussion by applying several long established as well as recently developed or refined aging methods to a subsample of 121 adult skeletons from the early medieval cemetery of Lauchheim. The skeletal remains were analyzed by 13 independent observers using a variety of aging techniques (complex method and other multimethod approaches, Transition Analysis, cranial suture closure, auricular surface method, osteon density method, tooth root translucency measurement, and tooth cementum annulation counting). The age ranges and mean age estimations were compared and results indicate that all methods showed smaller age ranges for the younger individuals, but broader age ranges for the older age groups. / Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research