Bones Tell Tales

This lecture aims to offer an overview of the role of skeletal remains both in modern archaeological science and in forensic investigation, and to stress their value for the recording and identification of human skeletons and wildlife crime.

It will cover areas such as the 'CSI effect' and the true role of archaeology and anthropology in forensic investigation; comparison of human versus animal skeletal remains; how we determine race, age, sex and stature from human bones; the value of dental recording and bone disease; and what stable isotopes can offer in archaeology and crime investigation.

Last but not least, we will talk about death in the past, and in particular about bodysnatching and scientific ethics.

This lecture will be an introduction for a more detailed 6 week course in autumn.

Everybody is welcome and previous medical or biological knowledge are not necessary; however, please consider whether you are sensitive about blood and death, for these reasons the lecture is not suitable for children.