Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
sample or single individual (like the hypothetical lone rickets case) may be assessed is
through extensive post hoc historical, ethnographic, archaeological, and archival research to
contextualize the life experience(s) of the individual(s). To maintain scientific rigor, interpre-
tation about the personhood of the skeleton requires more than a priori interpretations; it
should require the sociocultural equivalent of the differential diagnosis.
PALEOPATHOLOGICAL INFORMATION AS
A PROBLEM-SOLVING TOOL
Being able to organize data to answer questions is a fundamental research skill. It involves
being able to identify pathological conditions that are useful, the ability to identify and quan-
tify the conditions on the skeleton, the ability to segregate or aggregate the information into
meaningful testing units, and the use of statistical methods to test whether observations are
spurious or serendipitous, or have cultural meaning. This is fundamentally different from the
basic term paper that is a literature review or an argumentative paper that uses published
research to marshal an argument. Bioarchaeological inquiry at its fundamental level is based
on new information that is comparatively analyzed using basic demographic information
(e.g., age-at-death, sex) and some form of statistical testing. The results may often be unex-
pected, challenge conventional wisdom, and generate further questions and analysis.
Frankly, that is where the fun begins. The reader interested in analytical paleopathology
can develop their research skills in this area by becoming intimately familiar with general
paleopathological literature (e.g.,
Ortner 2003
, mentioned earlier) and the literature specific
to the temporal and cultural context in which they wish to focus their efforts.
Case Studies in Bioarchaeological Problem Solving: The Osteobiography
Many small samples or single cases speak eloquently about community health, social posi-
tion, and life choices faced and made within the lifespan of those individuals represented.
The best examples of culture context-illuminating case studies are the various mummified
remains that may or may not have a high public profile. Remains of soft tissue have a wider
range of information potential, are not necessarily easier to obtain (i.e., require high-tech
data-collecting strategies, such as CT scans), and certainly necessitate a team effort from
medical and biochemical experts.
Case Study: The Egyptian Mummy Asru
A particularly demonstrative example of the utility of agency (e.g., action of the individual
within society) in an osteobiography is the case of the Manchester Museum's (United
Kingdom) Egyptian mummy #1777. According to her sarcophagus, she was Asru, the Chan-
tress of the Amun temple in Karnak who lived during the eighth century B.C. (Third Inter-
mediate Period) (
David and Garner, 2003; Booth, 2007; David, 2008
).
Multifaceted medical and biochemical analysis of her remains revealed that the
50
e
60-year-old high-status woman had pneumoconiosis (desert lung) from inhaling sand,
mechanical injuries (vertebral fractures, slipped disc, osteoarthritis), septic arthritis of the
hands, and several parasitic infestations. These parasites were Guinea worm (which causes
