Histological identification of bone fragments in archaeology

Telling Humans Apart From Horses and Cattle

Dados Bibliográficos

ID4676906
AutoresA G F M Cuijpers (Cultural Heritage Agency of Netherlands, autor correspondente)
Ano2006
Volume16
Fascículo6
Páginas465-480
Data de publicação2006-11-01
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Osteoarchaeology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1047-482X • E-ISSN: 1099-1212
EditoraWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/oa.848
OpenAlexW1988464600
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas22
Referências citadas22

In archaeology, it is not always possible to identify bone fragments. A novel approach was chosen to assess the potential of histology as an identification tool in those instances in which macroscopical study (e.g. by means of bone surface texture) has failed. This study concentrated on the diaphyses of long bones in three species of comparable size which are relevant to archaeology. Late juvenile and adult human diaphyseal bone structure was compared with the bone structure of horses and cattle. Since bone structure can differ even within a single bone, the restrictions in terms of bone category, bone part and species were deemed necessary for the development of a useful identification method for archaeological bone. The reference series comprised long bones from several individuals to broaden the insight into variations in diaphyseal bone structure within a single species.A general difference in the primary bone types was found between humans and the two large mammals. Human bone displayed lamellar bone types, whereas horses and cattle showed fibrous bone types. The only exceptions were separated growth layers. A difference in the secondary bone structure was also observed. A large number of connecting, primary (Volkmann's) canals, giving the secondary bone a reticular aspect, were common in horses and cattle. They were not, however, present in the human bones studied.To confirm the validity and applicability of these differences, a blind test was conducted on 15 diaphyseal fragments of identified long bones from archaeological sites. The results were very promising. Although four fragments could not be identified due to severe degradation, all the others were correctly attributed. Copyright (c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd

Archaeology · Biology · Bone formation · Bone structure · Compact bone · Geography · Human bone · Long bone · Pathology · Bone health and osteoporosis research · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · Medicine · Paleopathology and ancient diseases · Anatomy · Histology