Smarty Pants
Members of our families who have lived and died
ancestors
clavicle
The death rate
mortality rate
Joint pain and stiffness due to inflammation or swelling
arthritis
A small, handheld tool resembling a shovel
trowel
A tribal leader; a native in a position of power
werowance
The longest leg bone
femur
Literally means "in position;" refers to an examination done in the exact place where a body/artifact is found
in situ
Refers to an illness or health issue that is constant or recurring
chronic
Watch your lemonade intake...too much acid can damage this important part of your teeth
enamel
This scientist studies past human activity by excavating, dating and interpreting objects and sites of historical interest
archaeologist
It protects your noggin'; also known as the skull
cranium
A person of privilege may have had one of these burial "homes" made of wood
coffin
An indentation - for example, a "dent" in a bone
depression
Having extreme attention to detail
meticulous
Think like a caveman - this period of time was before written records or human documentation
prehistoric
Individual, puzzle-like bones that lock together
vertebrae
It wasn't just for mummies - some folks might have received this special treatment after death
shroud
Yuck! A painful collection of pus, usually caused by a bacterial infection; can be anywhere in the body
abscess
A method used during excavation, where the artifact is left in place and dirt is removed around it
pedestaling
A specialist who examines skeletons for clues that will provide evidence about a person's life and death
forensic anthropologist
The areas of the long bones where bone growth takes place
epiphyses
Be gentle! Remains and artifacts are quite...
fragile
An infection in the intestines causing pain & severe diarrhea with mucus or blood in the feces - Yikes!
dysentery
Testing process focusing on elements (carbon, oxygen) found within bones and teeth
isotope analysis