Author Archives: JB

Top Ten Christmas Gifts for Osteologists

Posted on December 16, 2014 by JB

It’s mid-December, and we’re fast approaching that magical time of year when we’re tasked with finding the perfect gifts for friends and loved ones: Kazakhstan Independence Day. No, wait, wrong country. Seeing as Christmas is only a week away, I figured I’d … Continue reading →

Posted in Anatomy, Bioarchaeology, Osteology | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

Dental data collection spreadsheets

Posted on December 8, 2014 by JB

I’ve just started analyzing some of my dissertation data, an arduous process that entails correcting spreadsheet errors, deleting extraneous columns, and reconfiguring the results of pivot tables. Which is not to say my data were poorly organized – overall I’m … Continue reading →

Posted in Bioarchaeology, Data Collection, Human Teeth | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Osteology Cakes

Posted on December 5, 2014 by JB

I’m currently living in a part of the world where the sun rises at 9:00 am, and sets at 5:00 pm. Given that I’m at approximately 51˚N, this is not cause for apocalyptic alarm but instead reflects the brevity of winter … Continue reading →

Posted in Grad School, Osteology | Tagged , , , , , , | 3 Comments

“There’s something the dead are keeping back”: Why I study bioarchaeology

Posted on November 25, 2014 by JB

Note: This is a longform essay that I entered in Brown’s Archaeology for the People competition back in September. On the one hand, I did not win, which means I am, sadly, neither rich nor famous. On the other hand, … Continue reading →

Posted in Archaeology, Bioarchaeology, Longform | 2 Comments

Osteology Everywhere: Via Verde Edition

Posted on November 21, 2014 by JB

This is the view currently visible outside of my window: For a variety of reasons, I’m spending a few months in a city that is, quite appropriately, locally dubbed “The White Grave”. What with the weather and the monotonous slog that … Continue reading →

Posted in Osteology, Osteology Everywhere | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Animal Scavenging and Scattering and the Implications for Documenting the Deaths of Undocumented Border Crossers in the Sonoran Desert

Posted on November 16, 2014 by JB

A few days ago an article that I co-authored with three other researchers from the University of Michigan finally went live online.  This foray into forensic taphonomy was part of a larger project run by Jason De León called the Undocumented Migration … Continue reading →

Posted in Fauna, Forensic Anthropology, Publications | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

How to identify and side parietal bones

Posted on November 14, 2014 by JB

When analyzing human bones (or taking your first osteology course), you will occasionally be presented with bags brimming with large numbers of cranial fragments that you are tasked with sorting, identifying and siding. When I took my first intensive osteology course, … Continue reading →

Posted in Cranium, Osteology | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Syllabus: The Science of Skeletons – Introduction to Bioarchaeology

Posted on November 10, 2014 by JB

Last month I received some excellent news. My course proposal, which I assembled somewhat manically during the thick of data collection this past summer, was accepted by the Department of Anthropology. This means that I have the opportunity to teach a summer … Continue reading →

Posted in Bioarchaeology, Syllabus, Teaching | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Bones & Culture: Huesitos chocolate in Spain

Posted on October 30, 2014 by JB

I’ll admit, American candy bars often have names that are slightly confounding. To my mind, the combination of peanuts and caramel has never inspired derisive amusement, a milk chocolate and nougat confection does not immediately provoke contemplation of the vast wonders of … Continue reading →

Posted in Bones & Culture, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Terminado

Posted on October 19, 2014 by JB

After analyzing 4,784 human teeth (~3000 of which were loose), Identifying and examining 2,480 individual bones, Conducting a full bioarchaeological analysis of ~100 pounds of human bone and ≥80 individuals from two necropolises at Marroquíes Bajos, Screening >700 pounds of human … Continue reading →

Posted in Dissertation, Human Remains | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment