Tosha Dupras

Determination of sex from the hyoid bone

This article explores size differences related to sex in the hyoid bones from the Robert J. Terry Anatomical Collection. A series of measurements were taken from 398 hyoids, both fused and unfused. The inclusion of unfused hyoids in the study provides the opportunity to investigate previously unknown size differences between sexes as well as to determine their utility in determining sex. Two-way ANOVA was used to explore differences in hyoid size as related to ancestry and sex. Discriminant function analysis was employed to test the ability of the hyoids to be classified by sex. Six discriminant function equations ranging in accuracy from 82% to 85% are provided, each of which is more accurate than many of the discriminant functions developed in past hyoid research, are simple to use, and can be used to estimate the sex of a hyoid regardless of its state of fusion. In addition to providing further information about the morphological form of the hyoid, these analyses provide a method that can be easily employed to assess sex of the individual from the hyoid bone.

Shattered lives and broken childhoods: Evidence of physical child abuse in ancient Egypt

Much can be learned about cultural attitudes of violence towards children from the analyses of their skeletal remains and mortuary patterns of the communities in which they lived and died. A bioarchaeological approach integrating biological, socio-cultural, and physical environments is used in analyzing the remains of a 2-3-year-old child from Kellis 2, a Romano-Christian period cemetery in the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt. The skeletal remains of this individual show an unusual pattern of trauma and healing events, possibly indicating multiple episodes of non-accidental trauma. Macroscopic, radiographic, and histologic analyses show the extent of the skeletal trauma and healing, while stable carbon and nitrogen analyses of bone and hair reveal metabolic disturbances and changes in diet correlated with these traumatic events. Results from the differential diagnosis demonstrate that this individual exhibits skeletal fracture and healing patterns consistent with repeated non-accidental trauma, which may or may not have resulted in death. In addition, this individual may also represent the earliest documented case of violence against children from an archaeological context.

Forensic Recovery of Human Remains: Archaeological Approaches, Second Edition

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Determination of Sex from Adult Human Ribs

ABSTRACTWhen identifying unknown human remains, categorization by sex is critical. Highly dimorphic elements such as the pelvis and skull are often missing or damaged. This study investigates the existence of sexual dimorphism at gross and histological levels in human ribs. The sample consists of one mid-thoracic rib from each of 58 adults (31 females, 27 males, ages 25 to 50) from the skeletons excavated from the crypt (1729–1852 AO) of Christ Church in Spitalfields, East London, Great Britain. Funerary records of sex and age at death allow for exceptional control of these variables. Measurements include minimum and maximum rib diameter, total area and cortical area, as well as the histological variables of total osteon area and total haversian area. The gross measures of the rib reveal high degrees of sexual dimorphism (female: male, 75:100), while the histological measures show no statistically significant differences between the sexes. On the basis of gross morphological variables alone, males and fem...

The Contribution of Forensic Archaeology to Homicide Investigations

Collecting and processing forensic evidence during a death investigation has become an endeavor that may incorporate numerous personnel from many disciplines. During death investigations, specialized forensic experts regularly consult with law enforcement agencies at city, state, and federal levels, and with medical examiner and coroner offices. These forensic experts can also provide training, specialized laboratory analyses of forensic evidence, and services for which law enforcement may have very little or no training. Forensic archaeology is one such discipline that can provide specialized expertise at the crime scene. In addition to discussing the differences between forensic anthropology and forensic archaeology, this article presents a summary of the contributions that forensic archaeology can make during the search for and processing of crime scenes involving human remains.

The Effects of Household Corrosive Chemicals on Human Dentition

Abstract:  There is a gap in the literature concerning the chemical effects that household products may produce on human remains. The present study examines the effects of household chemical products on teeth. A total of eight chemicals were utilized for this experiment. The corrosive chemical categories include: hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and sodium hydroxide. Two products with each chemical were used, each representing varying concentrations of the corrosive product. Two human teeth were allocated for emergence in the chemical throughout a 24‐h period of exposure. Results demonstrate hydrochloric acid as the most detrimental chemical to the dental samples. Sulfuric acid enacted minimal alterations to the teeth, although some etching and discoloration were noticeable. Phosphoric acid resulted in variable changes of the organic and inorganic contents of teeth. Lastly, exposure of sodium hydroxide resulted in little to no change. As hypothesized, distinct effects are observable of each chemical.

Exploring Ancestral Variation of the Hyoid

Abstract:  This study utilizes metric analysis to examine size and shape variation between hyoids of Africans and Europeans in the Robert J. Terry Anatomical Collection. A total of 200 fused and unfused hyoids were measured and three statistical methods were employed to explore variation between ancestries. First, independent sample t‐tests showed that some significant size differences do occur between ancestries. Second, to examine shape variation, skeletal measurements were regressed on the geometric mean using least squares linear regression with the residuals used to evaluate size‐corrected shape differences. Finally, discriminant function analysis was used to develop two functions for ancestry prediction with overall accuracies of 73% and 77%. Results of the analyses suggest hyoid size and shape differences do occur between ancestries, notably that European hyoids are broader than African hyoids, while the African hyoid is longer than Europeans.

An exploration of adult body shape and limb proportions at Kellis 2, Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt

Several studies have shown that the human body generally conforms to the ecogeographical expectations of Bergmanns and Allens rules; however, recent evidence suggests that these expectations may not hold completely for some populations. Egypt is located at the crossroads of Sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Europe, and the Near East, and gene flow among groups in these regions may confound ecogeographical patterning. In this study, we test the fit of the adult physique of a large sample (N = 163) of females and males from the Kellis 2 cemetery (Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt) against ecogeographical predictions. Body shape (i.e., body mass relative to stature) was assessed by the femur head diameter to bicondylar femur length index (FHD/BFL), and brachial and crural indices were calculated to examine intralimb proportions. Body shape in the Kellis 2 sample is not significantly different from high-latitude groups and a Lower Nubian sample, and intralimb proportions are not significantly different from mid-latitude and other low-latitude groups. This study demonstrates the potential uniqueness of body shape and intralimb proportions in an ancient Egyptian sample, and further highlights the complex relationship between ecogeographic patterning and adaptation.

Reconstructing diet in Napoleon's Grand Army using stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis

OBJECTIVES Historical evidence has provided information regarding disease and mortality in Napoleon Bonapartes Grand Army, but dietary information beyond individual soldier accounts remains scarce. The purpose of this research is to reconstruct the diets of Napoleons multiethnic army who were associated with the Russian Campaign of 1812. MATERIALS AND METHODS We conducted stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratio analysis on femoral bone collagen of 78 individuals recovered from a salvage excavation at the mass gravesite of Šiaurės miestelis in Vilnius, Lithuania. These individuals were later discovered to be Napoleonic soldiers and camp followers who participated in the 1812 Russian Campaign. RESULTS Stable carbon isotope ratios range from -19.2‰ to -11.8‰, with a mean of -17.8‰ ± 1.5‰ (1 σ). Stable nitrogen isotope ratios range from 7.1‰ to 13.6‰, with a mean of 10.5‰ ± 1.4‰ (1 σ). Both δ13 C and δ15 N values show a wide range of variation. DISCUSSION Stable isotope data indicate considerable dietary variation in this population associated with a multiethnic and socially stratified military population. Diets ranged from predominantly C3 -based to predominantly C4 -based, with varying inputs of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine animal protein. Comparison with other European populations further denotes the exceptional range of dietary variation of soldiers and camp followers in Napoleons army.

Growth of the pectoral girdle in a sample of juveniles from the kellis 2 cemetery, Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt

This study investigates growth patterns in the scapula and clavicle in a cross‐sectional juvenile skeletal sample ranging from 20 weeks gestation to 8.5 years of age from the Kellis 2 cemetery, Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt. The primary goal is to quantify growth patterns and growth velocities in the scapula and clavicle to better understand the development of the pectoral girdle.