This updated human remains section is the second update to the Archaeological Science Framework. Since the publication of the Archaeological Science Framework in 2012, there have been significant advances in the field of bioarchaeology and an increase in the number of assemblages of Scottish archaeological human remains available for research. This update aims to present an overview of the value of archaeological human remains and how they are analysed. It also explores the ethical considerations inherent in their excavation and analysis and the research of archaeological human remains in Scotland.
The updated human remains section primarily focuses on the macroscopic analysis of human remains by bioarchaeologists. In addition to macroscopic analysis of skeletal development and pathology, archaeological human remains are increasingly subject to destructive sampling, such as aDNA and isotope analysis, and imaging and modelling techniques such as facial reconstruction. Many of these scientific techniques are discussed in the current Archaeological Science framework and it is intended to update these sections in the near future.
Firstly, section 2.2.1 provides an overview of the value of human remains and the development of bioarchaeology as a field. In sections 2.2.2, 2.2.3 and 2.2.4, the techniques of bioarchaeological analysis, and the potential and limitations of skeletal assemblages, skeletal pathology and additional techniques often used alongside macroscopic analysis are explored. Section 2.2.5 introduces the ethical and legal considerations inherent in the excavation, curation and analysis of human remains. Finally, 2.2.6 provides an overview of the trends seen in burial practice from the palaeolithic to post-medieval periods and summarises the developments in Scottish archaeological human remains research since 2012. The final section 2.2.7 provides a set of research questions for further study.
Please note that there will be images of human remains throughout this section.