Alison Galloway

The Evolving Female: A Life History Perspective

A human female is born, lives her life, and dies within the space of a few decades, but the shape of her life has been strongly influenced by 50 million years of primate evolution and more than 100 million years of mammalian evolution. How the individual female plays out the stages of her life--from infancy, through the reproductive period, to old age-- and how these stages have been formed by a long evolutionary process, is the theme of this collection. Written by leading scholars in fields ranging from evolutionary biology to cultural anthropology, these essays together examine what it means to be female, integrating the life histories of marine mammals, monkeys, apes, and humans. The result is a fascinating inquiry into the similarities among the ways females of different species balance the need for survival with their role in reproduction and mothering. The Evolving Female offers an outlook integrating life history with an intimate examination of female life paths. Behavior, anatomy and physiology, growth and development, cultural identity of women, the individual, and the society are among the topics investigated. In addition to the editors, the contributors are Linda Fedigan, Kathryn Ono, Joanne Reiter, Barbara Smuts, Mariko Hiraiwa-Hasegawa, Mary McDonald Pavelka, Caroline Pond, Robin McFarland, Silvana Borgognini Tarli and Elena Repetto, Gilda Morelli, Patricia Draper, Catherine Panter- Brick, Virginia J. Vitzthum, Alison Jolly, and Beverly McLeod.

Bone mineral density and survival of elements and element portions in the bones of the Crow Creek massacre victims

The interpretation of archaeologically-derived skeletal series is dependent on the elements and portions of elements preserved for examination. Bone and bone portion survival is affected by factors, both intrinsic and extrinsic to the elements themselves, that influence deterioration and preservation. Among the intrinsic variables, the density of the element and element portion are particularly important with respect to the degree of preservation. Recently reported bone mineral density values from a contemporary human sample are compared to the survival of prehistoric limb bones of the Crow Creek specimens, a fourteenth-century massacre skeletal series. The contemporary density values are positively correlated with Crow Creek element and element portion survival. Two calculations of bone mineral density, however, are more closely related to preservation than a third. Such density information has implications for assessing minimum number of elements and individuals and documenting taphonomic processes.

BIOLOGICAL AND CHEMICAL HAZARDS OF FORENSIC SKELETAL ANALYSIS

In the course of conducting forensic analysis of human skeletal material, anthropologists are exposed to a number of biological and chemical hazards. This paper reviews the primary concerns in terms of infection or exposure. Handling of human tissue provides an avenue through which bloodborne pathogens may be transported. Scene recovery also includes a set of hazards through exposure to human, animal and soil vectors. Basic personnel protection and laboratory procedures should be established for the protection of all personnel involved in this work.

A Simulation for Exploring the Effects of the “Trait List” Method’s Subjectivity on Consistency and Accuracy of Ancestry Estimations*

Abstract:  The nonmetric “trait list” methodology is widely used for estimating ancestry of skeletal remains. However, the effects of the method’s embedded subjectivity on subsequent accuracy and consistency are largely unknown. We develop a mathematical simulation to test whether variation in the application of the “trait list” method alters the ancestry estimation for a given case. Our simulation explores how variations in (i) trait selection, (ii) number of traits employed, and (iii) ancestry choice thresholds affect the ancestry estimation of an unidentified skeleton. Using two temporally and geographically diverse samples, the simulation demonstrates that trait selection, trait quantity, threshold choices, and the exclusion of high‐frequency traits had minimal effect on estimation of general ancestry. For all data sets and Runs, AccuracyAS was maintained above 90%. The authors close with a discussion on the logistical issues present when choosing traits, and how to avoid ancestry bias.

Skeletal asymmetry and hand preference during termite fishing by gombe chimpanzees

Skeletons of chimpanzees with recorded life stories allow assessment of the potential relationships among hard tissue features and expressed behaviors. We analyze bone size, weight, and mineralization to assess osteological characters for identification of laterality of expressed behaviors involving the upper body. Results show that associations are not yet clearly defined.

Skeletal Trauma Analysis of the Lower Extremity

This chapter reviews the methods of forensic anthropological analysis in skeletal damage to the lower extremity and serves as an introduction for later chapters discussing the underlying physics and methodology used in engineering accident reconstruction. The discussion herein includes the interpretation of the mechanism of injury and the types of defects seen most commonly within forensic contexts. No such discussion can be comprehensive and each case must be assessed separately. Consistency with known patterns of damage can be stated, but in the majority of cases, the exact cause of injury cannot be determined. Analysis of lower extremity skeletal trauma requires an understanding of the movement patterns in which these bones have evolved, the capacity of the joints to absorb forces, the effects of forces beyond the capacity of bones and joints to withstand, and the resultant fracture patterns produced by excessive force.

Sex differences in the vertebral column of gombe chimpanzees

Male and female chimpanzees from Gombe National Park, Tanzania (Pan troglodytes schweinfurthii) differ in live body weights but not in cranial capacity or fore-and hindlimb long bone lengths. Skeletal dimensions of the limbs and vertebral column indicate a mosaic of sex differences. Vertebral column measurements generally are greater in males. While linear measurements identify differences in the breadth and depth of the lower cervical and upper thoracic vertebrae, areal assessments show significant differences in weight-bearing surfaces throughout the thoracic and lumbar segments. These can be interpreted in terms of distribution of weight and body composition (i.e. amount of musculature).

EDUCATION IN FORENSIC ANTHROPOLOGY : APPRAISAL AND OUTLOOK

Increases in the awareness and participation of physical anthropologists in forensic investigations have resulted in growing concerns over the training of students with specializations in forensic anthropology. A survey of United States universities shows that forensic anthropologists provide training to large numbers of students in basic osteology and smaller, but still significant numbers of graduates and undergraduates in forensic anthropology. Their work augments that provided by physical anthropologists whose interests lie in osteology and skeletal biology. Discrepancies exist in the course topic content in training provided by these two groups (forensic anthropologists and osteologists) which may have implications for the future, especially if some students are unaware of the legal role and responsibilities of anthropologists in the forensic sciences.

Gombe chimpanzee sex differences in the pelvis and observations of pubic and preauricular areas

The skeletons of Gombe chimpanzees provide an opportunity for analysis of bony tissue with reference to known sex and parity in combination with observations on other life history variables and behavior. Measurements of the pelvic bones show a mosaic of sex differences. Well-defined resorption areas on the dorsomedial aspect of the pubis and the preauricular area of the ilium have been associated with sex and parity in humans and other species. However, these are not present in either females or males in this chimpanzee skeletal series.

Commentary on Tomczak PD, Buikstra JE. Analysis of Blunt Trauma Injuries: Vertical Deceleration Versus Horizontal Deceleration Injuries. J Forensic Sci 1999; 44(2):253–62

Commentary on Tomczak PD, Buikstra JE. Analysis of blunt trauma injuries: Vertical deceleration versus horizontal deceleration injuries. J Forensic Sci 1999; 44(2):253–62.