Managing human skeletal collections : a rapid assessment system
Research Imperative: This project describes an observation-based protocol to rapidly assess skeletonised human remains. Up to 60% of British museums are unaware of the quality and quantity of their holdings; almost all lack databases. Thousands of remains are disturbed annually during commercial and private development, but funding, time and skills rarely align to provide basic assessments, a true impediment to research. Several well-known collections are examined repeatedly, with others under-studied or inspected randomly; data accumulates haphazardly as scholars research specific questions. A rapid assessment system is needed. Aims: This âRapid Assessment Systemâ (RAS) aims to capture information using affordable and available resources: curators, students and volunteers. RAS answer sheets offer multiple options using non-specialist language. In this way, basic data about a skeleton can be collected. Methods: Volunteers without osteological training were provided with RAS answer sheets and specimen skeletons to examine. Observations were âcorrectâ when in agreement with the author. The RAS was divided into an Inventory segment, assessing presence, absence and condition of skeletal elements, and assessing
Drew, Rose
F400 Forensic & archaeological sciences ; P131 Museum studies ; V400 Archaeology
Managing human skeletal collections : a rapid assessment system. Research Imperative: This project describes an observation-based protocol to rapidly assess skeletonised human remains. Up to 60% of British museums are unaware of the quality and quantity of their holdings; almost all lack databases. Thousands of remains are disturbed annually during commercial and private development, but funding, time and skills rarely align to provide basic assessments, a true impediment to research. Several well-known collections are examined repeatedly, with others under-studied or inspected randomly; data accumulates haphazardly as scholars research specific questions. A rapid assessment system is needed. Aims: This âRapid Assessment Systemâ (RAS) aims to capture information using affordable and available resources: curators, students and volunteers. RAS answer sheets offer multiple options using non-specialist language. In this way, basic data about a skeleton can be collected. Methods: Volunteers without osteological training were provided with RAS answer sheets and specimen skeletons to examine. Observations were âcorrectâ when in agreement with the author. The RAS was divided into an Inventory segment, assessing presence, absence and condition of skeletal elements, and assessing
managing human_skeletal collection rapid assessment system imperative project describe observation based protocol rapidly assess human_remain british_museum unaware quality_quantity holding almost lack database remain disturb commercial private development funding time skill rarely align provide basic assessment true impediment research several well_known collection examine repeatedly others under studied randomly data scholar specific question rapid assessment system need aims rapid assessment system ras aim_capture information use available resource curator student volunteer ras answer sheet offer multiple option use non specialist language way basic data skeleton collect methods without osteological training provide ras answer sheet specimen skeleton examine correct agreement author ras divide inventory segment assess presence_absence condition skeletal_element assess