Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
section that describes the diagnostic criteria and scoring protocols. Detailed studies (e.g.,
monographs, theses, and dissertations) will invariably provide more exemplary illustrations
or images of the severity categories.
Description
Vocabulary for particular bare bone pathology will become evident from reading back-
ground bioarchaeological and paleopathological literature. For analytical paleopathology,
the goal of pathological identification is the underlying biocultural meaning that the
pathology had for the person and their society. Disease descriptors should be simple and
to the point, particularly as most bioarchaeologists do not have a medical background
(e.g.,
Buikstra and Ubelaker, 1994
:114
e
115;
Ortner, 2003
:50
e
51). For nonspecific periostitis,
it is appropriate to simply describe and distinguish active new bone (woven bone) that is
deposited on the cortical surface (plaque) from cortex-integrated/integrating (healed/heal-
ing) mature bone (lamellar bone). Particularly dense bone is often distinguished (sclerosis)
and descriptors are often used to clarify the dimension and topography of the reactive
change (e.g., terms often used are: striated, exuberant, spiculated, moth-eaten, nodular,
endosteal expansion, lytic, and/or blastic). Often for want of a better label, certain metaphor-
ical descriptors have been used (e.g., tree bark, orange-peel, pin-prick, honey-comb, furry,
velvety, vermiculate, and/or labyrinth-like). Word choice will depend on the diagnostic
value of the descriptor and whether detail is fundamental to the research question.
The basic value of quantification for any study is to have objective well-substantiated
information in order to assess a skeletal sample for specific research questions. The process
may initially seem daunting or intimidating but consider first and foremost that it is a tool for
problem solving, not an exercise in right or wrong. However, the more detailed a description,
the easier it will be for others to evaluate the differential diagnosis made.
HOW TO COLLECT PATHOLOGICAL DATA
The Tool Kit
If skeletal pathological assessment is undertaken on collections that are not in-house,
particularly if work will be undertaken in the field, the researcher should create a kit of essen-
tial tools. This kit should minimally include a good hand lens, a good quality sliding caliper,
a metric scale measuring tape, a mini goose-neck flashlight, nonhardening clay, various pens,
a soft bristle paint brush or a mini dust pan set (for cleaning and clean up), pencils (certainly
graphite and ideally a small box of colored ones), highlighter and permanent markers, self-
stick notes in several sizes, a photographic scale (in millimeters), and, if reconstruction is
permitted, contact cement and (temporarily and judiciously used) painter's (or other easily
removable) tape. It would also be a good idea to have archival quality small zip-lock bags
on hand to segregate the pathological bone for future reassessment or consultation. The
work kit would also benefit from office essentials such as paper clips, a mini-stapler, and
a ruler (a 6-inch one is adequate). For robust transport (particularly for the calipers), consider
housing it all in a small, hinged plastic box. Since laptop computers are indispensable, other
practical items include a power strip and an extension cord or two. If research takes the
