Behaviour in our Bones: How Human Behaviour Influences Skeletal Morphology

The study of human remains can reveal information about behavior and physical characteristics. "Behavior in Our Bones: How Human Behavior Influences Skeletal Morphology" explores how behavior can be inferred from the analysis of skeletal remains, covering various body regions and behaviors. The book summarizes and discusses methodological approaches to interpreting skeletal evidence, providing insights into past populations' activities and experiences.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 22 February 2023
Publisher: Elsevier Science Publishing Co Inc

Exploring behavior through bones has always been a captivating topic for those who study human remains. Human bodies record and store vast amounts of information about the way we move, where we live, and our experiences of health and socioeconomic circumstances. We see it every day and experience it, but when it comes to past populations, understanding behavior is largely mediated by our ability to read it in bones.

Behavior in Our Bones: How Human Behavior Influences Skeletal Morphology examines how human physical and cultural actions and interactions can be read through careful analyses of skeletal human remains. This book synthesizes the latest research on reconstructing behavior in the past. Each chapter is dedicated to a specific region of the human body, guiding the reader from head to toe and highlighting how evidence found on the skull, shoulder, thorax, spine, pelvis, and the upper and lower limbs has been used to infer patterns of activity and other behavior.

Chapter authors expertly summarize and critically discuss a range of methodological, theoretical, and interpretive approaches used to read skeletal remains and interpret a wide variety of behaviors, including tool use, locomotion, reproduction, health, pathology, and beyond.

Understanding behavior through bones is not only a fascinating field of study but also a crucial tool for archaeologists, anthropologists, and historians. By analyzing the morphology of the human skeleton, researchers can gain insights into the lifestyles, social structures, and cultural practices of past populations. This information can help us to better understand the evolution of human society and the development of our modern world.

In conclusion, Behavior in Our Bones: How Human Behavior Influences Skeletal Morphology is a groundbreaking book that provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to the field of skeletal biology. By exploring the relationship between human behavior and skeletal morphology, this book offers a new perspective on the past and sheds light on the complex and fascinating world of human behavior.

Weight: 700g
Dimension: 191 x 236 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780128213834