Social Bioarchaeology

• Illustrates new methodological directions in analyzing human social and biological variation
• Offers a wide array of research on past populations around the globe
• Explains the central features of bioarchaeological research by key researchers and established experts around the world

List of Tables and Figures vii

Notes on Contributors xiv

Series Editors’ Preface xx

1 Building a Social Bioarchaeology 1
Sabrina C. Agarwal and Bonnie A. Glencross

Part I Materials and Meaning: The Nature of Skeletal Samples 13

2 The Origins of Biocultural Dimensions in Bioarchaeology 15
Molly K. Zuckerman and George J. Armelagos

3 Partnerships, Pitfalls, and Ethical Concerns in International Bioarchaeology 44
Bethany L. Turner and Valerie A. Andrushko

4 The Formation of Mortuary Deposits: Implications for Understanding Mortuary Behavior of Past Populations 68
Estella Weiss-Krejci

5 Representativeness and Bias in Archaeological Skeletal Samples 107
Mary Jackes

Part II Social Identity: Bioarchaeology of Sex, Gender, Ethnicity, and Disability 147

6 Sex and Gender in Bioarchaeological Research: Theory, Method, and Interpretation 149
Sandra E. Hollimon

7 Population Migration, Variation, and Identity: An Islamic Population in Iberia 183
Sonia Zakrzewski

8 Life Histories of Enslaved Africans in Colonial New York: A Bioarchaeological Study of the New York African Burial Ground 212
Autumn R. Barrett and Michael L. Blakey

9 The Bioarchaeology of Leprosy and Tuberculosis: A Comparative Study of Perceptions, Stigma, Diagnosis, and Treatment 252
Charlotte Roberts

Part III Growth and Aging: The Life Course of Health and Disease 283

10 Towards a Social Bioarchaeology of Age 285
Joanna Sofaer

11 It is Not Carved in Bone: Development and Plasticity of the Aged Skeleton 312
Sabrina C. Agarwal and Patrick Beauchesne

12 The Bioarchaeological Investigation of Children and Childhood 333
Siân E. Halcrow and Nancy Tayles

13 Moving from the Canary in the Coalmine: Modeling Childhood in Bahrain 361
Judith Littleton

14 Skeletal Injury Across the Life Course: Towards Understanding Social Agency 390
Bonnie A. Glencross

15 Diet and Dental Health through the Life Course in Roman Italy 410
Tracy L. Prowse

Index 438

“Furthermore, despite the technical nature of many of the contributions, the overall concepts are generally presented in an organized and clear format that would not at all preclude their use in advanced undergraduate seminars.” (American Journal Physical Anthropology, 14 March 2014)

"In the first instance the book is dedicated to scientists and students of Archaeology, biological Anthropology, and Palaeopathology as well as to other scientists interested in social and biological variations of man by permanent changes of the environment." (HOMO Journal of Comparative Human Biology, 2011)

"Social Bioarchaeology makes an excellent reference for this subfield, and stresses the importance of a multi-disciplinary approach at a time perhaps when anthropology needs it most." (Social Bioarchaeology, 12 April 2011)

Sabrina C. Agarwal is an Assistant Professor at the University of California at Berkley and Faculty Affiliate of the Archaeological Research Facility at UC Berkeley. She is co-editor of the volume Bone Loss and Osteoporosis: An Anthropological Perspective (2003).

Bonnie Glencross is Assistant Professor in the Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies, at Wilfrid Laurier University, and held a Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) Postdoctoral Fellowship at the University of California from 2006-2008. Social Bioarchaeology introduces the exciting and growing biosocial approach in archaeology that challenges the traditional methods of analyzing and interpreting human skeletal remains. Agarwal, Glencross and the experts assembled in this volume outline the essential components of this research, focusing on the dynamic interactions between humans and their larger social, cultural and physical environments, and how these analyses increase our understanding of human adaptation. The authors draw upon studies from the Americas, Europe, and the Middle East examining the central themes, theoretical issues, and methodological innovations in the field. Each chapter offers significant new research that integrates elements from biological, behavioural, ecological and social research. This new volume will be a valuable resource for archaeologists, biological anthropologists, paleopathologists, and all researchers with an interest in understanding our social and biological adaptations in a constantly changing global environment. "Social Bioarchaeology puts the spotlight on the powerful and interesting story that human remains from archaeological settings tell about the human experience."
—Clark Spencer Larsen, The Ohio State University

"Decidedly embracing the concept of "holism" within anthropology, the contributors to this book dive deep into the human past and the intricacies of the human condition."
—Anne Grauer, Loyola University of Chicago