Human Osteology

Human osteology, the study of human bones, is applicable in a variety of contexts, including medical, forensic, biological and bioarchaeological settings. In this course we will take an anthropological approach, focusing on the human skeleton not only as a reflection of an individual’s life history, but also as a site of social meaning in life and after death. Throughout the semester, you will learn to identify the 206 bones and 32 teeth of the human body, and learn the standard methods for the estimation of sex, age, and stature. In addition to mastering osteological methods, the readings for each week will challenge you to think about the different contexts in which osteology is applied, and the types of questions that can be asked through skeletal analysis.