Anthropology Publications

A Synthetic Radiological Study of Brain Treatment in Ancient Egyptian Mummies

Andrew D. Wade et al. — Tue, 06 Sep 2011 18:30:25 PDT

Variability in brain treatment, as a part of the Egyptian mummification process, is poorly appreciated in the literature, as variability in the details of excerebration have not been addressed comprehensively nor with respect to social, geographic, and temporal variation. The description of Egyptian mummification commonly used in the popular and academic literature is derived largely from accounts by Herodotus and Diodorus Siculus. However, this normative description does not acknowledge the existence of a wide range of mummification techniques practiced and so stifles the study of geographic and chronological changes in the practice and their causes. Therefore, the goal of this study is to use the classical description as a hypothesis for empirical testing, using published literature and primary radiographic data, with a specific focus on the practice of excerebration. Three primary treatments of the brain in mummification, and their variation over time and across social strata, are discussed in relation to their treatment in the literature, their radiological indicators, and their technical considerations. In order to examine Egyptian mummy excerebration, this study makes use of two samples: (1) a literature-based sample of 125 mummies, and (2) a sample of 6 mummies examined directly using computed tomography. In spite of an apparent high degree of variability, the literature continues to focus on modern and classical stereotypes rather than the rich variability in the Egyptian mummification tradition. Detailed, large-scale examination of this and other mummification traditions, and their meanings, is required to further our understanding of this important early complex society.

A Review and Interspecific Comparison of Nocturnal and Cathemeral Strepsirhine Primate Olfactory Behavioural Ecology

Ian C. Colquhoun — Thu, 14 Jul 2011 17:08:50 PDT

This paper provides a comparative review of the known patterns of olfactory behavioural ecology among the nocturnal strepsirhine primates and the cathemeral lemurid genus Eulemur. Endemic to Madagascar, all Eulemur species exhibit both diurnality and nocturnality (i.e., cathemerality), and are gregarious, making them an interesting group of taxa to compare with the nocturnal strepsirhines. This paper represents the first comparative review of patterns of olfactory communication among the nocturnal strepsirhines and the cathemeral Eulemur species. Inductive assessment of these comparative data indicates that olfactory communication serves multiple functions in both groups, including individual recognition, sex recognition, indication of social dominance, and coordination of mating behaviour. However, the urine-washing behaviour characteristic of many nocturnal strepsirhines has no clear homologue among Eulemur species (although the latter may use urine droplets in scent marking). Despite sparse and scattered comparative data, it appears that Eulemur species exhibit different olfactory communication patterns that are associated with differing social organizations in this genus.

The Use of the Polaroid Photographic Imaging System to Produce Radiographic Images at a Field Archaeological Site in Peru

G. Conlogue et al. — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 22:37:28 PDT

Radiographic and Endoscopic Evaluation of Methodological Variations and Cranial Vault Developmental Anomalies among Peruvian Subadult Mummies and Skeletal Material Exhibiting Cultural Cranial Modification

S. Guillen et al. — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:30:46 PDT

The Lady Hudson Project

P. Beauchesne et al. — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:25:07 PDT

Foreword

Andrew J. Nelson — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:00:29 PDT

Análisis osteológico de los entierros del Palacio Ñain–An (ex-Bandelier)

Andrew J. Nelson — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:00:28 PDT

Comment, on Sutter & Cortez, 2005, The Origins and Roles of the Moche (AD 1-750) Human Sacrificial Victims: A Bio-archaeological Perspective

Andrew J. Nelson — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:00:27 PDT

Comment, on Shimada et al. 2004, An Integrated Analysis of Pre-hispanic Mortuary Practices: A Middle Sican Case Study

Andrew J. Nelson — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:00:26 PDT

Osteobiografia de una hilandera precolumbina. La mujer detras de la mascara

Andrew J. Nelson et al. — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:32:40 PDT

Maquetas Mochicas, San Jose de Moro

Luis Jaime Castillo et al. — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:32:39 PDT

Sipan, the Moche and the Archaeology of Peru

Andrew J. Nelson — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 18:32:38 PDT

Preliminary Report on the Radiographic Analysis of Three Egyptian Mummies

Andrew J. Nelson — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:03:42 PDT

Preliminary Synchrotron Analysis of Peruvian Mummy Hair

Ronald R. Martin et al. — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:03:41 PDT

Forensic Anthropology Preliminary Report – August 29, 2001 - Sifton Property - Westdel Bourne & Commissioners Road

Andrew J. Nelson — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:03:40 PDT

Delhi Burial - Physical Anthropologist’s Report

Andrew J. Nelson — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:03:40 PDT

Proyecto "Complejo Arqueologico de Moro". Campaña 1997. Informe Preliminar de Investigacion Arqueologica

L. J. Castillo et al. — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:03:39 PDT

Proyecto "Complejo Arqueologico de Moro". Campaña 1996. Informe Preliminar de Investigacion Arqueologica

L. J. Castillo et al. — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:03:39 PDT

Report on Investigation of Windsor Firepit (Occurrence No. 96-34623)

Andrew J. Nelson et al. — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:03:38 PDT

The St. Stephen's Burial: Final Osteological Report, PD6 Watermain Alignment, City of Vaughn, Ontario

Andrew J. Nelson — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 01:03:38 PDT