Bioarchaeology: Interpreting Behavior from the Human Skeleton (Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology) [Paperback]

Clark Spencer Larsen (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0521658349 | ISBN-13: 978-0521658348 | Publication Date: May 13, 1999

Human remains recovered from archaeological sites can help us interpret lifetime events such as disease, physiological stress, injury and violent death, physical activity, tooth use, diet, and demographic history of once-living populations. This is the first comprehensive synthesis of the emerging field of bioarchaeology. A central theme is the interaction between biology and behavior, underscoring the dynamic nature of skeletal and dental tissues, and the influences of environment and culture on human biological variation. It emphasizes research results and their interpretation, covering palaeopathology, physiological stress, skeletal and dental growth and structure, and the processes of aging and biodistance. It will be a unique resource for students and researchers interested in biological and physical anthropology or archaeology.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"...informative, educational, and well-written synthesis of current information in the field of bioarchaeology. This volume, which represents to my knowledge one of the only comprehensive syntheses of bioarcheaological methods, techniques, and theory, will be useful both as a standard reference for professionals and as a textbook in advanced courses in bioarchaeology and the interpretation of human skeletal remains...this work is a valuable addition to the libraries of skeletal biologists, archaeologists and bioarchaeologists, paleopathologists, and others interested in studying human remains from archaeological contexts with a bio-cultural perspective. Students will find the text relatively easy to read and comprehend, and will appreciate the emphasis on case studies in understanding the techniques, methods, and theories. Professionals will appreciate the extensive literature reviews Larsen incorporates into the text."-Elizabeth Miller, Society for Archaeological Sciences

Book Description

Bioarchaeology is the study of human remains from archaeological sites. Human bones and teeth provide a huge amount of information about the health and lifestyle of past populations. These tissues record a cumulative history of disease, physiological stress, trauma, activity patterns, diet, nutrition, and many other factors that constitute the life history of both the individual and population. This is the first comprehensive synthesis of the subject and will be an indispensable reference for all those interested in biological anthropology and archaeology.

Product Details

• Paperback: 476 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (May 13, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521658349
• ISBN-13: 978-0521658348
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,336 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #43 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Biological Sciences > Paleontology

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the best aviable compendium in area of osteoarchaeology, January 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Bioarchaeology: Interpreting Behavior from the Human Skeleton (Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology) (Paperback)

Chief advantage of author's approach lies in bringing together many dispersed areas that are relevant in understanding individual and social behavior of archaeological populations with critical and introspective evaluation of various up-to-date analythical methods as well as more classical morphology-orientated approaches in physical anthropology.Although,regrettably,there is no attempt to provide sociobiological explanation of cultural phenomena(a very controversial subject) ,neverethless,author's erudite presentation of long-neglected potentials of skeletal material in archaeological context brings so much needed anthropocentric perspective in exgesis of behavioral content behind'bones and artefacts'. ,Bioarchaeology..'with it's comprehensive and concise-styled presentation of everything essential in this branch of science (excavation,taphonomy,wear and striation analysis,dental anthropology,paleonutrition,behaviour-induced changes in osseus tissue,biodistance,paleopathology,dating techniques and many other interesting topics) plus most complete and relevant bibliography is textbook from which both professionals and students worldwide will benefit.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good outline of the new bioanthropology, February 19, 2000

By 

Eric Laubergis - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bioarchaeology: Interpreting Behavior from the Human Skeleton (Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology) (Paperback)

What make this book unique is its dealing with various interaction between humans and their ecological milleau in a non-procedural fashion,but rather in an affirmative one.Examples from which author derives his conclusions are drawn mostly from North American stone age,but some sites from Euroasian as well as African prehistory are also discussed.Even a reader with elementary knowledge of human biology can comprehend this book,by its virtue of presenting logic of deduction about biological realities,quite unlike mechanical and mathematic idealisations of old physycal anthropology.Highly recomended title not only for anthropologists and archaeologists but also for everybody dealing with historical and paleosociological issues.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars primarily for reference, October 28, 2004

By 

M. S. Butch (Katonah, New York USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bioarchaeology: Interpreting Behavior from the Human Skeleton (Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology) (Paperback)

Three stars is a bit un-generous and, for the right purpose, this book deserves more. I was looking for an intelligent, not dumbed-down synthesis. Certainly the book is intelligent, well researched, apparently encyclopedic. It is an excellent reference. What it is NOT (at least for me) is a book to read through. This is why: (1) I found the retention of the notes in the middle of the text very distracting. Although I am sure you can get used to it, it really breaks up the continuity between sentences. The fact that the book IS so very well noted aggravates the problem of reading through the notes in the text. (2) A great deal of knowledge about skeletal anatomy is assumed. Although I am reasonably well-read, I do not know the names of all of the the skeletal parts and the potential medical abnormalities, which made parts of the book read like a foreign language. A glossary would have been helpful to me. (3) The information felt very "episodic" to me -- not much more than a paragraph on any topic. This made it hard to stay engaged, because each topic was over just as I was becoming interested.

None of the foregoing should matter if what you are looking for is a reference to go to - like an encyclopedia - for direction. My issues were with the disconnect between what I wanted (an intelligent reading experience) and what I now think is the book's purpose.