Anth-101 The Bioarchaeology of People

Which of the following pieces of information might a bioarchaeologist determine about an individual from their skeletal remains?

Can Be Determined From Skeletal Remains- cause of death diet occupation

Paleopathology is the study of abnormalities in skeletal remains. Identify the items that can be studied using paleopathology.

Can be Studied Using Paleopathology- health status of past populations cultural traditions violence patterns Cannot be Studied Using Paleopathology- age

Some indicators of age are more precise than others. However, bioarchaeologists must work with the materials that they have. Which of the following is a less precise but still useful indicator for adult skeletal remains?

Changes to bone tissue

Imagine that you are a bioarchaeologist studying a past population. So far you have been able to determine ages for most of the population. With this information, what conclusions can you draw about this population?

Conclusions that Can be Drawn- infant mortality rates life expectancy

Ancient DNA can be extracted from skeletal remains of humans and animals, as well as preserved plant remains. Identify some of the areas in which ancient DNA analysis can provide insights.

Correct Answer(s) past landscape reconstruction past population migrations past disease

DNA is the genetic material that contains essential information on the continuation of life. Identify the correct statements about DNA.

Correct Terms- DNA is found in the nucleus of the cell. Genes are composed of DNA. Incorrect terms- DNA stands for deoxyribonucleic adenine. A nucleotide is an organism's complete set of DNA.

People of European and Asian descent share significantly more DNA with Neanderthals than do people from other areas of the world. Identify the correct implications of this find.

Correct: Interbreeding occurred after modern humans left Africa. Neanderthals and humans interbred.

The skull is useful for determining sex due to a number of skeletal differences between males and females. Identify whether the following features are characteristic of males or females.

Female- smaller jaw (mandible) Male- larger skull heavier brow ridge (zygomatic arch)

Bioarchaeological investigations usually begin in the ---- because ---- is crucial when analyzing skeletal remains.

Field---Context

Which of the following features are indicative of malnourishment during childhood?

Indicates Childhood Malnourishment- irregular tooth enamel growth (enamel hypoplasia) Harris lines

Different features and patterns in dentition are some of the best indicators of age. Identify the accurate dental indicators of age.

Indicator of Age- wear on teeth eruption and loss of deciduous teeth Not an Indicator of Age- dental modifications

Bioarchaeologists can observe different conditions, such as scurvy, through telltale signs left on skeletal remains. What is the cause of scurvy?

Lack of Vitamin C

Which of the following pieces of evidence might suggest cannibalism?

Might Suggest Cannibalism- cut marks on bone human remains mixed with animal remains Does Not Suggest Cannibalism- Harris lines primary burials

In which of the following cases has modern DNA been used?

Modern DNA Used- the divergence of Homo sapiens from an apelike ancestor. the spread of Neolithic farmers into Europe

What is the correct term for the study of skeletal remains?

Osteoarchaeology

Identify the correct definition of paleopathology.

Paleopathology is the study of ancient disease, including skeletal abnormalities.

The --- is the best indicator of sex. These bones are --- in females.

Pelvis & Wider

Neanderthals interbred with modern humans

True

While there will always be some margin of error in age estimates due to individual growth patterns, bioarchaeologists are able to make rough age estimates based on various skeletal features. Identify some of the main features used to estimate the age of death.

Used to Estimate Age at Death- fusion of the ends of articulated bones (epiphyses) eruption sequence of teeth fusion of sutures of skull bones Not Used to Estimate Age at Death- evidence of trauma

Why is Y-chromosome DNA important in bioarchaeology?

Y-chromosome DNA is inherited only along the male line

A bioarchaeologist is a very specific kind of archaeologist. Identify which of the following items a bioarchaeologist might be called on to analyze.

a mass grave from a past war a modern crime scene where a body was found a warrior burial from the Bronze Age

Bioarchaeology overlaps with and combines techniques from both biological anthropology and archaeology, two of the four major subdisciplines of anthropology. Imagine that you are working at an early modern human site and have uncovered a burial. Identify which anthropologists would be likely to analyze which items. Some items may be used more than once.

biological anthropologist; Human DNA bioarchaeologist- Position of the body, Human DNA

Malnutrition and disease leave their marks on bones in various ways. Identify the main ways that bones can be changed due to health conditions during an individual's lifetime.

bone loss altered bone structure bone growth

Analysis of modern mitochondrial DNA, or mtDNA, provides key insights into the evolution of Homo sapiens. Identify the reasons why this is the case.

mtDNA is inherited directly from the maternal line. mtDNA mutates at a rapid and constant rate.