Human Osteology: In Archaeology and Forensic Science [Paperback]

Margaret Cox (Editor), Simon Mays (Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1841100463 | ISBN-13: 978-1841100463 | Publication Date: April 1, 2000 | Edition: 1

This advanced textbook provides the reader with an up-to-date account of recent developments and future potential in the study of human skeletons from both an archaeological and forensic context. It is well-illustrated, comprehensive in its coverage and is divided into six sections for ease of reference, encompassing such areas as palaeodemography, juvenile health and growth, disease and trauma, normal skeletal variation, biochemical and microscopic analyses and facial reconstruction. Each chapter is written by a recognised specialist in the field, and includes in-depth discussion of the reliability of methods, with appropriate references, and current and future research directions. It is essential reading for all students undertaking osteology as part of their studies and will also prove a valuable reference for forensic scientists, both in the field and the laboratory.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"To its advantage, Human Osteology in Archaeology is a pretty good value at USD65, and is certainly going to provide students with a solid introduction to the many facets of human skeletal biology. Even with its content geared toward the UK market, I would encourage all instructors to have a look at this compilation as a good source of readings for courses that introduce theory and methods for osteological reconstructions." - Reviewed in the American Journal of Physical Anthropology 114:365-368 (2001) Reviewed by Robert Hoppa. Department of Anthropology. University of Manitoba. Canada

Book Description

This advanced textbook provides the reader with an up-to-date account of recent developments and future potential in the study of human skeletons from both an archaeological and forensic context. It is well-illustrated, comprehensive in its coverage and is divided into six sections for ease of reference, encompassing such areas as palaeodemography, juvenile health and growth, disease and trauma, normal skeletal variation, biochemical and microscopic analyses and facial reconstruction. Each chapter is written by a recognised specialist in the field, and includes in-depth discussion of the reliability of methods, with appropriate references, and current and future research directions.

Product Details

• Paperback: 544 pages
• Publisher: Greenwich Medical Media; 1 edition (April 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1841100463
• ISBN-13: 978-1841100463
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,907,210 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Human Osteology. Editors: Margaret Cox & Simon Mays., June 11, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Human Osteology: In Archaeology and Forensic Science (Paperback)

For the first time all the leading practitioners of the United Kingdom, currently working within the fields of archaeology and anthropology, are brought together to produce a comprehensive overview of human osteology, and its applications in the interpretation of human skeletal remains.

Whether your interest in Human Osteology is academic or forensic, this single volume contains a wealth of information and further references.

The historical development of the subject is succinctly expounded, followed by more specialist chapters on: juvenile skeletal development; palaeodemography; the effects of disease on the skeleton; variation in the human skeleton; the efects of trauma and assault on the skeleton; and the microscopic, biochemical and analytical approaches currently undertaken.

All of which can assist both the archaeologist in the reconstruction and interpretation of the past; and the forensic scientist in the identification of unknown human remains,and in assisting the authorities in criminal investigations, including war crimes.

This volume is written from the experience of osteological research, analysis, and practice within the north-west European context, and offers an alternative, whilst complementary, source of information to that of the North American experience. It is long overdue and most welcome.

The Editors have ensured that not only a full discussion of the current state of research is available to the reader, but also the challenges and options for the future development of human osteology.

For the undergraduate and post graduate student this volume will provide an excellent basic text in its own right, and will no doubt quickly become a standard reference within universities and colleges.

5 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not very useful, November 16, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Human Osteology: In Archaeology and Forensic Science (Paperback)

Among other related sciences, I teach human osteology at the college and graduate levels. There is no use for this text in the classroom. It is a sad book stop on a shelf full of other more useful books. If you are looking for a 500 page book of awkwardly strung together minutiae of little relevance to the forensic world, this it the book for you. If you're not, I recommend checking out other sources.