Osteoarchaeology

The services of the osteoarchaeologist can be utilised both on and off site, advising on best practice for the successful excavation and retrieval of human remains, through to the handling, cleaning and processing of the skeletal material. This ensures that the remains are treated with respect and that they retain all possible information, facilitating the analysis.

From the initial stages of a project, the osteoarchaeologist can guarantee that the methodologies to be employed during the archaeological work follow all necessary guidelines and maintain professional standards. When on-site an osteoarchaeologist can ensure that if any skeletal remains raise particular questions, for example those with pathological conditions or poorly preserved, they are given the necessary care and attention. They can also advise on any health and safety issues which may arise during the excavation. Of course, unexpected human remains are sometimes encountered during archaeological work. In these instances the osteoarchaeologist is able to quickly assess whether the excavation team have uncovered human or animal remains. This should mean that the excavation is not unduly delayed or hindered and that any necessary actions can be taken.

The osteoarchaeologist carries out the post-excavation analysis and this covers inhumations, cremations, mixed burials or scattered remains. This leads to the production of both post-excavation assessment reports as well as final publication reports. The level of analysis carried out can be tailored to fit a particular project. As a minimum the analysis aims to establish the age and sex of each individual as well as the presence or absence of disease. The study can then be extended to produce a demographic profile of the population as well as an assessment of the population health. More detailed analyses, which include detailed cranial and post-cranial measurements and a study of post-metric traits are carried out when necessary. The osteoarchaeologist is also able to advise on the necessity and practicality of further scientific analysis such as radiocarbon dating, DNA or isotope analysis and facilitate these.

Over the past few years Archaeology South-East have been involved in everything from small scale watching briefs in churchyards to large scale cemetery excavations on sites such as the medieval hospital of St Nicholas, Lewes, East Sussex an Anglo Saxon Cemetery in Eastbourne, East Sussex, and the 17th to 19th century Quaker Burial Ground, Kingston Upon Thames, Surrey.

The largest of these was the Quaker Burial Ground. This site offered the first opportunity for such a population to be excavated. Individuals had been buried in earth cut graves, lead coffins and lead coffins within a vault. It was possible to examine the population of 360 in detail osteologically and then combine the resultant data with detailed historical background information. This enabled the maximum amount of information to be gleaned from both the Quaker community as a whole as well as families and individuals within it.

Contact: Lucy Sibun