Articles tagged with Human Remains
A new analysis of human remains provides the earliest DNA from sub-Saharan Africa, outlining major demographic shifts between 80,000 and 20,000 years ago. The study reveals people moved and settled in other areas, developed alliances and networks to trade and share information.
A team of researchers developed an enhanced version of a modern forensic test to solve a 5000-year-old cold case. The test confirmed the cause of death for a Neolithic man whose remains were found in a mass grave on the coast of Northern Chile, suggesting he died by drowning in shallow saltwater.
A new model using Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics has been developed to accurately determine the post-mortem interval (PMI) in human skeletal remains. This non-destructive technique provides valuable information for forensic medicine and anthropology, improving reliability and accuracy.
Researchers found that a large Early Holocene cemetery in Northern Russia was used for only one to two centuries and reveals human stress caused by a global cooling event. The team believes the creation of the cemetery shows a social response to climate change, with abundant grave offerings indicating complex social systems.
A study published in PLOS ONE suggests that changing climate conditions 23,000 years ago expanded food options for humans in Israel's Sea of Galilee region. The research analyzed animal remains at the submerged archaeological site of Ohalo II, revealing a diverse diet with multiple prey sources.
The Omo I fossils, found in Ethiopia, have been dated to be at least 230,000 years old, pushing back the known emergence of Homo sapiens by tens of thousands of years. This reevaluation was made possible through advanced geochemical analysis and a new understanding of volcanic ash layers.
A novel 'virtual segmentation' method enables accurate visualization of microtomography imaging of Egyptian mummies. This technique helps researchers reconstruct detailed anatomical structures of ancient animals, shedding new light on their biology and evolution.
A study of Edo-era Japanese skeletons reveals a prevalence of periodontal disease similar to modern times, with distinct bacterial species. Researchers analyzed dental calculus from 12 human skeletons and compared their oral microbiomes to modern samples, shedding light on the evolution of the oral microbiome.
A team of international researchers has developed a globally-applicable ethical code for ancient human DNA research, aiming to address social and cultural implications. The code proposes cooperation with stakeholders, minimal damage to human remains, and respect for indigenous communities' perspectives.
A two-year project led by Dr. Kirsty Squires aims to analyze 41 mummified children from the 19th century using non-invasive methods. The study will provide essential data on juvenile health, development, and identity during this period.
Detailed analyses of cremated bone fragments from Tomb of Nestor's Cup uncovered at least three humans with varying life stages, alongside animal remains like goats and dogs. The study sheds new light on funeral practices and ancient Greek culture.
A 16,000-25,000-year-old jawbone from Sulawesi provides conclusive evidence of Pleistocene-era humans in the region. The fossil exhibit unusual dental wear patterns, offering insights into the daily lives and dietary habits of early Homo sapiens.
A Hebrew University study reveals that as worldwide lead production increases, so do rates of lead absorption in people, leading to toxic effects. The research uses ancient human bones to show the close relationship between lead production and human exposure.
A study of over 26,000 graves reveals that early medieval Europe's burial transformation was not as simple as a linear trajectory from variable to standardized. Instead, there is significant regional variability and cultural connections between areas like Kent and northern France.
Researchers are developing a new method to locate human remains by analyzing changes in plant chemistry, which could lead to faster and safer searches. The team will assess how cadaver decomposition affects nearby plants' nutrient concentrations and leaf color.
A team of archaeologists uncovered evidence of the oldest direct cremation in the Middle-East, found in a pyre pit in Beisamoun, Israel, dating back around 9,000 years. The remains indicate a shift away from traditional burial practices towards shorter rituals.
A new study pushes back the earliest evidence for smallpox infection by nearly 1,000 years to the 7th century in northern Europe. The discovery of a previously unknown clade of the smallpox virus suggests it may have been widespread throughout Viking Age Europe.
A new protein-based technique analyzes amelogenin in tooth enamel to estimate human biological sex with superior accuracy than DNA analysis. This method allows for sex determination of children and is reliable even with weak DNA signals.
Researchers have uncovered a 35-metre long triangular platform in northern Saudi Arabia, built in several phases between 6500 and 4500 BC. The discovery suggests that this monumental structure was used for ritual practices, including funerary and commemorative ceremonies.
A research team at the University of the Basque Country is using genetic analysis to identify human remains from the Spanish Civil War and dictatorship. By comparing DNA samples from remains with those from family members, they are able to determine the profile of the remains and gather enough information to enable identification.
A bioarcheologist excavated a medieval Uzbek cemetery, discovering evidence of degenerative joint disease and healed fractures that suggest a heavy workload and level of care within the community. The dig site provides insight into how people adapted to harsh desert environments and interacted with other communities along trade routes.
Researchers analyzed plant, animal, and human remains to reconstruct the diets of Portus Romae inhabitants. They found a shift from rich meat-based diets to more peasant-like diets after the Vandal sack in AD 455.
Analysis of human remains from a Pre-Roman Celtic cemetery in Italy shows variations in funerary treatment that may be linked to social status, despite no differences in living conditions. The study found distinct diets for men and women, as well as higher rates of dental enamel defects in the population.
Researchers have developed a statistical approach to identify sexually diagnostic physical features in cremated bones, allowing for accurate sex determination of ancient remains. Eighteen skeletal traits were found to correlate strongly with sex, enabling archaeologists to differentiate male and female remains.
Researchers from Boston University School of Medicine suggest narrow searcher spacing and double passes can increase detection rates. This new methodology aims to improve the recovery of skeletal remains, making it easier to find missing individuals.
The Anzick site in Montana has been dated to between 12,725 and 12,900 years ago, based on specific amino acid radiocarbon dating of human remains. This confirms the contemporaneity of human remains and Clovis artifacts, resolving long-standing dating issues and providing new insights into early human habitation in North America.
A new study from the University of Oxford recommends regulating the digital afterlife industry to ensure ethical usage of digital remains. The guidelines used for managing human remains in archaeological exhibitions could be applied to regulate commercial use of digital remains, treating them with care and respect rather than manipulat...
A Bronze-Age burial mound in Cornwall has been discovered, dating back 2,000 BC. The site will be excavated to uncover its secrets and shed light on the region's prehistoric past.
Researchers developed a method to determine human sex from tooth enamel using peptides. The approach successfully identified sex chromosome-linked isoforms of amelogenin, an enzyme-forming protein, from acid-etched samples, confirming sex in archaeological and legal contexts.
Researchers analyzed human remains from 40 individuals at a 5000-year-old passage tomb complex, revealing evidence of dismemberment and cremation. The study suggests that the ancient Irish had a complex burial rite involving 'deconstruction' of the body to aid soul transition.
Modified human crania from Göbekli Tepe provide the first evidence for a new form of Neolithic skull cult, featuring intentional deep incisions and drilled holes. These findings suggest that ancient individuals may have venerated ancestors or displayed recently dispatched enemies on display.
Researchers at Sam Houston State University are developing new sample preparation methods for skeletal and decomposing remains using emerging next generation DNA technology. The goal is to improve the ability to resolve more missing person cases, as conventional methods may fail.
Forensic entomologists may uncover new information by studying tiny mites that feed on vertebrate carrion, including human remains. The discovery of these hitchhiking mites could add more time points to the timeline used for estimating postmortem intervals.
The discovery of two Ice Age infant remains at the Upward Sun River site in Alaska offers a rare glimpse into the lives of early human societies. The burials, dated to around 11,500 years ago, include grave offerings such as hafted compound weapons and provide insights into funeral practices and social organization.
A genomic study of eleven Stone-Age human remains from Scandinavia found that expanding farmers assimilated local hunter-gatherers, while hunter-gatherers had lower genetic diversity. The study provides insights into the demographic history of Stone-Age humans and the impact of agriculture on European population structure.
A new study from North Carolina State University has raised doubts about the effectiveness of using skull shape for positive identifications. Researchers found that only 47% of participants accurately matched antemortem and postmortem X-rays, highlighting the limitations of relying solely on cranial vault outlines.
Archaeologists from the University of Leicester found King Richard III remains just inches below Victorian foundations, narrowly avoiding destruction. The team used DNA extracted from a descendant to verify the identity of the remains.
Researchers used ArcGIS to analyze a human foot bone, revealing patterns of tension and compression that reveal how the bones were used during life. The study provides a proof of concept for using geographic software to study internal bone structure.
Griffith University researchers analyze ancient human remains to determine the origins of people in South-east Asia and Australia. The study identifies two waves of human migration through Asia and detects historic patterns of interbreeding among early people.
Archaeologists have uncovered a slave burial ground on St Helena, containing the remains of around 5,000 enslaved people. Osteological analysis reveals that most victims were children or young adults, with scurvy and violence being common causes of death.
A team of scientists and Alaska Natives collaborated on the excavation of a cremated child's remains, estimated to be around three years old. The discovery sheds new light on the burial practices and daily lives of Ice Age peoples in Northern North America.
Researchers developed population-specific identification criteria for the Chilean population to determine stature and biological sex of skeletal remains. This will help identify victims of political violence under Pinochet's regime and aid in contemporary body identification efforts in Chile.
A team of researchers from North Carolina State University has developed a new method for determining the sex of skeletal human remains with high accuracy. The technique uses three-dimensional imaging technology to analyze the shape and size of the pelvis, identifying over 20 key anatomical landmarks that can help determine a body's sex.
A study of Classic Maya homes in Belize reveals the commoners' method of recording their own history, not just family history, but also their place in the cosmos. The analysis found human remains, artifacts, and color symbolism used to signify important dates and the cyclical nature of life.
A global database is necessary to guarantee accurate identification of victims in mass disasters, according to a new study. Radiological techniques are crucial in this process, providing documentation and useful information on skeletal trauma and tooth location.
A Mercyhurst forensic anthropology team conducts a mock excavation to test methods for recovering burned human remains from fatal fire scenes. The project aims to improve protocols for optimal scene recovery and laboratory analysis.
A study of ancient Egyptian remains and art reveals that dwarfs were highly respected and integrated into society. Elite dwarfs held important positions, while ordinary ones specialized in various occupations, suggesting a positive image of short people in ancient Egypt.
A University of Melbourne-led team has reached a broad agreement on the ages of Lake Mungo remains, painting a new picture of human and climatic history in Australia. The research boosts the age of Mungo Lady's cremation by 10,000 years, placing both at 40,000 years old.
A new excavation at Teotihuacan's Pyramid of the Moon reveals a distinctive Mayan-style burial with jade artifacts, suggesting a direct connection between Teotihuacan rulers and the Maya royal families. The discovery sheds new light on the government of Teotihuacan and its potential influence on Mayan politics.
A new study using electron spin resonance dating has pushed back the age of Homo erectus remains to 27,000 to 53,000 years old. This finding challenges the Multiregional theory and supports the Out of Africa model of modern human origins.
The University of Alaska Museum repatriates 386 ancestral remains to Siberian Yup'ik villages on St. Lawrence Island, following the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). The return marks a significant partnership between the museum and Alaska Native communities.