Osteobiographies

Osteobiographies: The Discovery, Interpretation and Repatriation of Human Remains contextualizes repatriation, or the transfer of authority for human skeletal remains, from the perspective of bioarchaelogists and evolutionary biologists. It approaches repatriation from a global perspective, touching upon the most well-known Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA) legislation of the United States, while also covering Canada and African countries. This book focuses on the stories behind human skeletons, analyzing their biological factors to determine evolution patterns. It begins with an overview of anatomy, genomics, and stable isotopes from dietary and environmental factors, and how to identify these in skeletal remains. The book then goes on to discuss European-origin, North American, and African paleopathology, ancient DNA links, and cultural issues and implications around repatriation. It concludes with case studies to show how information from archaeologically derived skeletons are vital to understanding human evolution and provide respectful histories behind the remains. Osteobiographies: The Discovery, Interpretation and Repatriation of Human Remains is an ideal resource for bioarchaeologists, evolutionary biologists, and anthropologists. Students in advanced undergraduate or graduate courses in such disciplines will also benefit from the cutting-edge knowledge and data provided in this text. Offers novel research and perspectives on the importance of skeletal remains on a global scaleIdentifies and distinguishes how genomics, biological factors, and burial methods can be used to track human evolution through bonesAddresses cultural differences over human remain movement and repatriation, specifically between Europe and Africa