Osteology

Osteology is the scientific study of bones. A subdiscipline of anthropology(US) archeology(EU), osteology is a detailed study of the structure of bones, skeletal elements, teeth, morphology, function, disease, pathology, the process of ossification (from cartilaginous molds), the resistance and hardness of bones (biophysics), etc. Often used by scientists with identification of human remains with regard to age, death, gender, growth, and development in a biocultural context.

Methods
A typical analysis will include:


 * an inventory of the skeletal elements present
 * a dental inventory
 * ageing data, based upon epiphyseal fusion, dental eruption and tooth wear
 * sexing data, based upon bone morphology
 * stature and other metric data
 * ethnicity
 * non-metric traits
 * pathology and/or cultural modifications
 * taphonomy, including weathering, gnawing, butchery, burning and related processes...

Applications
Osteological approaches are frequently applied to investigations in disciplines such as forensic science, physical anthropology and archaeology, and has a place in research on topics including:


 * health
 * demography
 * diet
 * disease
 * activity patterns
 * physique
 * genetics of early populations
 * population migration
 * Ancient warfare
 * social inequality
 * identification of unknown remains
 * criminal investigations
 * war crimes