Bioarchaeology is the study of biological remains found in archaeological sites. In the US, it specifically refers to the study of ancient human remains. Bioarchaeology can provide valuable insights into ancient societies, including climate, genetics, and health. The approach to bioarchaeology varies by nation and researcher. Bioarchaeologists can work in the field, laboratory, or as curators.
The term “bioarchaeology” is used in many different ways in an academic context. In most of the world, reference is made to the study of any biological remains found in archaeological sites, from the bones of animals cooked for dinner to the vegetable fibers used to make clothes. In the United States, the term is used to refer specifically to the study of ancient human remains, which may be called osteoarchaeology or paleo-osteology in other regions of the world.
Much information can be gleaned from the study of biological remains in archaeological sites, and from the study of human remains in particular. Studying how plants and animals used, lived, and interacted with people can provide insights into their societies that can be quite valuable. At a basic level, bioarchaeology can be used to gather data about what the climate was like when the ancient culture being studied was thriving and to gather material that can be used to study the genetics of plant, animal and human societies.
Studying human remains in particular can provide insight into the culture in which those humans lived. Bioarchaeology studies can be used to look for diseases that may have been present in the population and to study the general health of the population. Large clusters of human remains can also provide insight into how long people lived, as a general rule, and to study the environment in which they lived. Bones carry environmental and occupational markers that can be very valuable to people studying ancient societies.
The approach to bioarchaeology varies according to the nation and the researcher. In the United States, the study of human remains is controversial, with some Native Americans preferring that human remains not be disturbed, although they respect the desire to learn more about ancient cultures. In places like Europe, attention has historically been primarily on artifacts made by members of ancient societies, such as works of art, with interest in human remains and biological materials being a more recent development.
Bioarchaeologists can work in the field, supervising and participating in excavations. A bioarchaeologist may also work in a laboratory, analyzing samples collected in the field and preparing for publication, or might work as a curator in a facility that preserves and displays objects of importance. They may also work for agencies that oversee archaeological activities, including repatriating remains and granting permits to researchers who want to work at historic sites.
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