Bioarchaeology (2^nd Ed., Revised edition) Interpreting Behavior from the Human Skeleton Cambridge Studies in Biological and Evolutionary Anthropology Series

Now including numerous full colour figures, this updated and revised edition of Larsen's classic text provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamentals of bioarchaeology. Reflecting the enormous advances made in the field over the past twenty years, the author examines how this discipline has matured and evolved in fundamental ways. Jargon free and richly illustrated, the text is accompanied by copious case studies and references to underscore the central role that human remains play in the interpretation of life events and conditions of past and modern cultures. From the origins and spread of infectious disease to the consequences of decisions made by humans with regard to the kinds of foods produced, and their nutritional, health and behavioral outcomes. With local, regional, and global perspectives, this up-to-date text provides a solid foundation for all those working in the field.

Preface; 1. Introduction; 2. Stress and deprivation during growth and development and adulthood; 3. Exposure to infectious pathogens; 4. Injury and violence; 5. Activity patterns 1: articular degenerative conditions and musculo-skeletal modifications; 6. Activity patterns 2: structural adaptation; 7. Masticatory and nonmasticatory functions: craniofacial adaptation to mechanical loading; 8. Isotopic and elemental signatures of diet, nutrition, and life history; 9. Biological distance and historical dimensions of skeletal variation; 10. Bioarchaeological paleodemography: interpreting age-at-death structures; 11. Bioarchaeology: skeletons in context; 12. References; Index.

Clark Spencer Larsen is the Distinguished Professor of Social and Behavioral Sciences and Chair of the Department of Anthropology at Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio. His research is primarily focussed on biocultural adaptation in the last 10,000 years of human evolution, with particular emphasis on the history of health, well-being, and lifestyle. He collaborates internationally in the study of ancient skeletons in order to track health changes since the late Paleolithic. He is the author of 200 scientific articles and has authored or edited 30 books and monographs.