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Skeletal Modification

Skeletal Modification. Vocab to know. Skeletal Modification – Any changes made to the skeleton Pre- or antemortem – Modifications made before death Examples: breaking a bone as a kid Perimortem – Modifications made just before, during, or just after death; “around the time of death”

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Skeletal Modification

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  1. Skeletal Modification

  2. Vocab to know • Skeletal Modification – • Any changes made to the skeleton • Pre- or antemortem – • Modifications made before death • Examples: breaking a bone as a kid • Perimortem – • Modifications made just before, during, or just after death; “around the time of death” • Example: stabbing someone & nicking the ribs or vertebrae • Postmortem – • Modifications made after death • Examples: bones that get broken when they are buried or run through a grinder or shredder, etc.. Think back to some of the episodes we watched…

  3. Taphonomy • The study of the processes that operate between the time of death and the time of study (Human Bone Manual) • A subdiscipline of paleontology; but also in the realm of archaeology • Looks at the contexts of skeletal remains’ resting place • How were they buried? Where were they buried? What were they buried with? Body position? Etc…..

  4. Skeletal Modification • Modification by Physical Agents • Chemistry – the soil the remains are in; weathering; natural decomposition of the body • Rocks, Earth, Ice – Bones can be broken or scratched by rockfalls; freeze-thaw cycles • Abrasion – particles of grit that “sand” the bones • Fire – cremation vs. naturally- occurring fires vs. roasting • Modification by Nonhuman, Biological Agents • Non-Human Animals • Gnawing/chewing on bones; sings of carnivores include: pitting, scoring and puncturing of bone; trampling • Plants – • Roots can grow through & around bones, leaving evidence on the bone; looks similar to etching • Modification by Humans • Cannibalism; cremation; cutting, chopping, scraping; percussion (hammering); projectiles (arrowheads, bullets, spearheads, etc…)

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