A Discussion of Some Recent Methodological Developments in the Osteoarchaeology of Childhood

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to discuss some recent scientific developments in subadult osteoarchaeology in the areas of breastfeeding and diet, palaeopathology and sex identification. Microsampling of incremental structures of dental hard tissues by laser ablation or other techniques is increasing the chronological resolution with which weaning and other changes in subadult diet can be studied using isotopic or other analyses. Much palaeopathological research on subadults has concentrated upon growth and on indicators of non-specific stress. However, recent diagnostic developments have advanced the study of specific diseases in subadult remains. This is particularly so for diseases due to deficiency of vitamin C or D, conditions which are sensitive indicators of aspects of past diets and living conditions. Sex identification from morphological techniques still presents problems, although odontometric techniques appear more useful than those based upon bone morphology. In future, sex identification using ancient DNA may become more routinely used, but significant problems are likely to remain.

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