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Special Applications in Bioarchaeology: Taking a Closer Look

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Abstract

Techniques for the analysis of bone and teeth that get below the anatomical surface to utilize preserved collagen and apatite have become central to understanding aspects of ancestry, kinship, health, diet, disease, growth, and development for ancient and historic groups. Ethical issues abound in this area because it entails genetic and biomedical research using tissues from human remains, and this comes with all the attendant complexities of informed consent and weighing the costs and benefits. A very brief synopsis of what some of these special applications can provide in terms of additional information about identity, ancestry, and migration is provided.

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Martin, D.L., Harrod, R.P., Pérez, V.R. (2013). Special Applications in Bioarchaeology: Taking a Closer Look. In: Bioarchaeology. Manuals in Archaeological Method, Theory and Technique. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6378-8_8

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