Enriching the Neolithic : the forgotten people of the Barrows
This detailed study involved the osteological examination of over 36000 human bone specimens (the majority of which were highly fragmented) representing a minimum of 305 individuals from 42 Neolithic sites, and is the most up-to-date synthesis on the health, lives and demography of the people from southern Britain. The aim of the project was to analyse the collections excavated in antiquity which had never been examined by an osteologist, or to re-examine those that have not benefitted from modern techniques, with the intention of collecting demographic data, recording palaeopathology, stature and any dietary deficiencies that affect the skeleton. The importance of re-analysing previously examined collections was particularly illustrated by the extensive assemblage from Hazleton North long barrow, which comprised over 21500 fragmented and whole bones. This site had evidence of multiple funerary behaviour in the form of inhumation, cremation, and excarnation, a practice that was previously unrecognised at the site. Important discoveries were made in the field of palaeopathology - 67% (4/6) of those affected by Vitamin C deficiency in this study were excavated from the site, together with one case each of suspected
Cuthbert, G. S.
Neolithic ; Human Skeletal Remains ; Bioarchaeology
Enriching the Neolithic : the forgotten people of the Barrows. This detailed study involved the osteological examination of over 36000 human bone specimens (the majority of which were highly fragmented) representing a minimum of 305 individuals from 42 Neolithic sites, and is the most up-to-date synthesis on the health, lives and demography of the people from southern Britain. The aim of the project was to analyse the collections excavated in antiquity which had never been examined by an osteologist, or to re-examine those that have not benefitted from modern techniques, with the intention of collecting demographic data, recording palaeopathology, stature and any dietary deficiencies that affect the skeleton. The importance of re-analysing previously examined collections was particularly illustrated by the extensive assemblage from Hazleton North long barrow, which comprised over 21500 fragmented and whole bones. This site had evidence of multiple funerary behaviour in the form of inhumation, cremation, and excarnation, a practice that was previously unrecognised at the site. Important discoveries were made in the field of palaeopathology - 67% (4/6) of those affected by Vitamin C deficiency in this study were excavated from the site, together with one case each of suspected
neolithic forgotten people barrows detail_study involve osteological examination human_bone specimen majority highly fragment represent minimum individual neolithic_site up_to_date synthesis health live demography people southern_britain aim_project analyse collection excavate antiquity never_examine examine benefit modern technique intention collect demographic data record palaeopathology stature dietary deficiency affect skeleton importance analysing previously examine collection particularly illustrate extensive assemblage north long_barrow comprise fragmented whole bone site evidence multiple funerary_behaviour form inhumation cremation practice previously unrecognised site important discovery make field palaeopathology affect deficiency study excavate_site together case suspect