Human Remains and Bioarchaeology

These flashcards cover essential terms and concepts related to human remains analysis and bioarchaeology, summarizing key ideas from Chapter 11.

Bioarchaeology

The study of human remains from archaeological sites to understand the past human behavior and health.

NAGPRA

The Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, a federal law that protects Native American burial sites and provides for the repatriation of remains.

Primary burial

The original burial in which a body is placed directly into the ground or a grave.

Ossuary

A container or room in which the bones of dead people are placed.

Element (in bioarchaeology)

Refers to the skeletal components of human remains used in analysis.

NISP

Number of Identified Specimens, a measure used in the study of archaeological faunal remains.

MNI

Minimum Number of Individuals, the smallest number of individuals necessary to account for all identified skeletal elements.

Locomotion

The ability to move from one place to another, often analyzed through skeletal features like the pelvis and femur.

Intentional morphological alterations

Deliberate changes made to the human body, such as binding or tattoos.

Antemortem

Injury or trauma occurring before death.

Cultural connections

Relationships and influences among different societies and their practices related to death and burial.

Cranial capacity

The volume of the interior of the skull, which can indicate the size of the brain.

Prognathism

The projection of the teeth or jaw beyond the upper part of the face, often a trait in hominid evolution.

Harris lines

Lines on bones indicating periods of stress or malnutrition during growth.

Genetic relationships

The DNA connections and family links between individuals, often analyzed in bioarchaeology.

Foramen magnum

The hole in the base of the skull through which the spinal cord passes, important in determining posture and locomotion.