Controlled experimental observations on joint disarticulation and bone displacement of a human body in an open pit: Implications for funerary archaeology

Mickleburgh, Hayley L.; Wescott, Daniel J.

doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.04.022

Cited by 22 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Agisoft PhotoScan Professional costs $3,500, which might be prohibitively expensive for contract firms or museums; however, an education discount reduces the price to $550. There are open-source software options, as noted above, and these have been successfully implemented in the documentation of mortuary contexts (Ducke et al 2011; Green et al 2014; Mickleburgh and Wescott 2018). Photogrammetry generates large amounts of data that require computing time, sometimes overnight depending on the computer processing speed, memory, and graphics card (De Reu et al 2014).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Archaeological projects in diverse locations implement photogrammetry and 3-D scanning for documenting architecture (Galeazzi 2016; Sapirstein 2016; Tokovinine and Estrada-Belli 2017) and artifacts (Porter et al 2016; Shott and Trail 2010). Biological and forensic anthropologists also make frequent use of photogrammetry to document skeletal elements and contextual data, including integrating it with other technologies like CT scanning (Katz and Friess 2014; Mickleburgh and Wescott 2018; Parsons and Harrod 2017; Villa et al 2018). Three-dimensional models not only preserve information but also can provide new information not originally seen during excavation.…”

Section: Photogrammetrymentioning

confidence: 99%

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Implementing Photogrammetry in Three Bioarchaeological Contexts: Steps for In-Field Documentation

Novotny

2019

Adv. archaeol. pract.

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Human skeletal remains hold a wealth of information about past life-ways, but their documentation and recovery from archaeological contexts is challenging. Four challenges face bioarchaeological field work: poor skeletal preservation; complex mortuary traditions; sub-par excavation conditions; and excavation time limits. Poor preservation often prevents the collection of metric data from skeletons. This project tested whether a bioarchaeologist with basic photography skills and excavation equipment could address these challenges using photogrammetry. Photogrammetry was employed at the ancient Maya sites of Say Kah and Chan Chich, both located in northern Belize, to document human skeletal remains and their archaeological contexts. Steps are provided for implementing photogrammetry in the field, as well as addressing challenges for using the technique during burial documentation. This project produced only one adequate 3-D model and no metric data could be collected. Overall, photogrammetry seems to be a promising method for bioarchaeological research because it is low-cost, effective, and fairly straightforward to learn. The technique was faster than traditional line drawing, but sub-par excavation conditions and dark, small spaces hindered the creation of useful models. Photogrammetry provides an excellent alternative to traditional documentation addressing the challenges of poor skeletal preservation and holding potential for unraveling complex mortuary traditions.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Photogrammetrymentioning

confidence: 99%

Implementing Photogrammetry in Three Bioarchaeological Contexts: Steps for In-Field Documentation

Novotny

2019

Adv. archaeol. pract.

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“…For example, these changes could be due to the increased handling of the body. The research by Mickleburgh (2018) demonstrated the complexity involved in the decomposition of a human body (including body movement, disarticulation, and bone displacement) using 3D imaging, and this could be further replicated and analyzed using 3D printed replicas that can be handled and inspected (48). In addition, there is the possibility of creating a “multi‐layered” printed model that could have removable layers or pieces to help demonstrate the taphonomic processes, or multiple “sequential models” that demonstrate how the taphonomic processes change over time.…”

Section: Potential Applicationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Overview of 3D Printing in Forensic Science: The Tangible Third‐Dimension

Carew

Errickson

2020

Journal of Forensic Sciences

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There has been a rapid development and utilization of three‐dimensional (3D) printing technologies in engineering, health care, and dentistry. Like many technologies in overlapping disciplines, these techniques have proved to be useful and hence incorporated into the forensic sciences. Therefore, this paper describes how the potential of using 3D printing is being recognized within the various sub‐disciplines of forensic science and suggests areas for future applications. For instance, the application can create a permanent record of an object or scene that can be used as demonstrative evidence, preserving the integrity of the actual object or scene. Likewise, 3D printing can help with the visualization of evidential spatial relationships within a scene and increase the understanding of complex terminology within a courtroom. However, while the application of 3D printing to forensic science is beneficial, currently there is limited research demonstrated in the literature and a lack of reporting skewing the visibility of the applications. Therefore, this article highlights the need to create good practice for 3D printing across the forensic science process, the need to develop accurate and admissible 3D printed models while exploring the techniques, accuracy and bias within the courtroom, and calls for the alignment of future research and agendas perhaps in the form of a specialist working group.

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“…This disarticulation would imply that the void around the body existed during the early phase of decomposition (Duday 2009:32-38). Recent actualistic studies of disarticulation and bone movement of human remains were conducted at the Forensic Anthropology Center at Texas State University by Mickleburgh and Wescott (2018). The study object was the (willed donated) body of an adult female who was seated in a pit that was not filled.…”

Section: The Taphonomic Analysismentioning

confidence: 99%

A Taphonomic Interpretation of the Postmortem Fate of the Victims Following the Massacre at Sandby Borg, Sweden

Alfsdotter¹,

Kjellström²

2020

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In the ringfort Sandby borg (A.D. 400–550) on Öland, Sweden, remains of 26 unburied humans were excavated between 2010 and 2016. Several of the skeletons display traces of lethal interpersonal violence. This study pres¬ents taphonomic analyses of unburied bodies, a situation seldom encountered archaeologically. The depositional context allows us to investigate human taphonomy in interaction with natural agents both “indoors” and “out¬doors.” A set of various techniques, including documentation of preservation via zoning, weathering stages, frac¬ture analysis, and archaeothanatology, were applied to understand the perimortem and postmortem fate of the human remains. The results of the taphonomic analysis showed no indications of manipulation postmortem. Expected differences in preservation between in-and outdoor skeletons were not observed. Perimortem fire al¬terations were interpreted as the result of burning hearths and smoldering roofs. The analysis indicates that the bodies have decomposed in voids. New observations for “unconfined void” taphonomy are presented. The ab¬duction of limbs could be the result of bloating and, hence, indicate a primary deposit of bodies. Atypical lack of splaying of bones might be caused by decomposition in unconfined voids, possibly allowing quicker drainage of putrefaction liquids than in confined voids such as coffins. These observations suggest that processes behind decomposition in voids are not completely understood archaeologically, and might challenge interpretations of mortuary treatment from human remains. In der Wallburg Sandby borg (400-550 n. Chr.) auf Öland, Schweden, wurden die Überreste von 26 nicht bestat¬teten Menschen gefunden, die zu einem großen Teil Spuren von tödlicher Gewalteinwirkung aufwiesen. In dieser Studie werden die Ergebnisse taphonomischer Untersuchungen von nicht bestatteten menschlichen Überresten präsentiert, auf die man im archäologischen Kontext nur selten trifft. Diese Art der Niederlegung und Auffindung erlaubt es uns die Taphonomie von menschlichen Überresten unter natürlichen Einflüssen von sowohl ”drinnen—im Haus” als auch ”draußen—außer Haus” zu untersuchen. Mehrere unterschiedliche Methoden wurden angewendet um sowohl das perimortale als auch das postmortale Schicksal der menschli¬chen Überreste zu verstehen, darunter Dokumentation der bewahrten Knochenteile, Stadien der Verwitterung, Bruchanalysen und Archäothanatologie. Die Ergebnisse der taphonomischen Untersuchungen zeigten keine postmortalen Veränderungen. Die erwarteten Unterschiede im Zustand der drinnen und draußen bewahrten Skeletten ließen sich nicht bestätigen. Perimortale Veränderungen der verbrannten Knochen wurden als Resul¬tat von aktiven Feuerherden und brennenden Dächern gedeutet. Die Analyse spricht dafür, dass die Körper in Hohlräumen verwesten. Neue Beobachtungen von Taphonomie in ”unbegrenzten Hohlräumen” werden eben¬falls präsentiert. Die Abduktion von Körpergliedern kann auf Aufblähungen beruhen, und spricht damit für eine primäre Niederlegung von Körpern. Der atypische Mangel an verteilten Knochenmaterial kann durch die Verwesung in unbegrenzten Hohlräumen verursacht worden sein, und damit einen schnelleren Abfluss von Verwesungsflüssigkeit erlauben, als es in begrenzten Hohlräumen wie z. B. Särgen der Fall ist. Diese Ergebnisse sprechen dafür, dass Verwesungsprozesse in Hohlräumen archäologisch noch nicht vollständig zu verstehen sind, und daher die Deutung wie menschliche Überreste behandelt wurden in Frage stellen können.

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Controlled experimental observations on joint disarticulation and bone displacement of a human body in an open pit: Implications for funerary archaeology

Cited by 22 publications

References 11 publications

Implementing Photogrammetry in Three Bioarchaeological Contexts: Steps for In-Field Documentation

Implementing Photogrammetry in Three Bioarchaeological Contexts: Steps for In-Field Documentation

An Overview of 3D Printing in Forensic Science: The Tangible Third‐Dimension

A Taphonomic Interpretation of the Postmortem Fate of the Victims Following the Massacre at Sandby Borg, Sweden

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