In This Section:

2.2.7 Human remains research questions 

This section presents research questions that have been developed specifically for the study of human remains across Scotland. Further relevant questions will also be found in the chronological chapters of the regional research frameworks.

ScARF HR 1: What diseases and injuries were prevalent?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 1
More information:
Did these change over time?
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 2: Was there a notable difference between the health of urban and rural communities

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 2
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 3: What was the typical life expectancy of people who reached adulthood?

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Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 3
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 4: How common was death during infancy and childhood?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 4
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 5: What can we learn about childhood illnesses and injuries?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 5
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 6: How common was malnutrition?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 6
More information:
Can we identify particular periods of hardship?
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 7: How widespread was the consumption of freshwater fish?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 7
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 8: Does health status change over time and between regions?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 8
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 9: Does dental disease vary across regions, site types and periods and what does this imply about diet and health status?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 9
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 10: What evidence of infectious diseases can be observed?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 10
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 11: What evidence is there for non-adult health status and early life stress?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 11
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 12: To what extent did early life stress impact health status and resilience in adulthood?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 12
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 13: Did pubertal timing vary between site types, regions or periods?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 13
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 14: Were Scotland’s past populations affected by nutritional and metabolic stress?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 14
More information:
Did this vary between socioeconomic groups, regions and periods?
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 15: Achieving adequate vitamin D levels requires dietary sources of vitamin D in Scotland. What evidence of vitamin D deficiency can be observed and what implications does this have for health status in the wider group?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 15
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 16: What evidence of social inequality is there and what impact did this have on health?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 16
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 17: Did social inequality vary between regions and periods?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 17
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 18: How does social inequality in Scotland compare to other regions of Britain and Europe?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 18
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 19: Is there evidence of medical care or interventions?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 19
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 20: Is there evidence of disability and care of disabled individuals?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 20
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 21: How does evidence of violence change over time?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 21
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 22: What skeletal evidence is there of the Wars of Independence and subsequent conflict with England?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 22
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 23: Did the end of the Medieval Warm Period and the reduction of the area of arable land available impact nutrition and health in Scotland?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 23
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

ScARF HR 24: Did climate change impact the diet and health status of Scotland’s past populations?

More information on this question
Local framework numbering:
ScARF HR 24
Status:
Active
Date accepted:
09/02/2026
Date of next review:
09/02/2031

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