Approaches to the study of developmental variability in human skeletal populations

✍ Scribed by Francis E. Johnston

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1969
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 471 KB
• Volume: 31
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0002-9483
• DOI: 10.1002/ajpa.1330310309

✦ Synopsis

The study of osteological remains of human populations has moved, in recent years, towards a n orientation more in keeping with other developments in the field of human biology. However, many investigators continue to ignore the skeletons of the immature members of their samples, despite the wide range of information offered by the study of developmental patterns. These patterns include linear and proportional growth as well as those which permit studies of the rate of maturation, a parameter useful in many ways. The dynamics of the compact bone layers of long bones permit one to make certain nutritional and epidemiological inferences and afford an approach which extends beyond the traditional "growing years" into adulthood and eventual senescence. The analysis of growth patterns can add increased meaning to human biological variability in archaeological contexts if applied prudently and with a knowledge of developmental processes in the living.