Weight is again another matter. It is normally only used for cremated remains, but older archaeological reports sometimes use it for disarticulated remains instead of MNI or NISP.
Its hard to compare data when different quantification systems have been used, a common issue in big data studies 5/5
You get the MNI, The smallest possible number of individuals required to form that assemblege, which was 20.
So if I wanted it to look like I analysed a bigger assemblege I would use NISP (675), not MNI (20) even though both numbers are accurate (4/5)
The bones were mixed with 100s of animals, all in one big jumble.
So how many people did I look at? Well if you count by individual bone fragment (NISP), I looked at 675.
If you then look at all the duplicated elements and skeletons that represent different age at death estimates (3/5)
These are all valid ways of quanifying remains, and they are all useful in different situations. But they tell you very different things.
My PhD looked at disarticulated remains from Roman Surrey. They were found in a mine shaft dated to around 77 AD in Ewell (2/5)
Little primer on quantifying human remains, using some of my work as an example. A thread.
As a commercial bioarchaeologist I use three primary ways of quantifying remains: Number of identified specimens (NISP), Minimum number of individuals (MNI) and weight (1/5)
When you are intentionally inflammatory and fail to mention the work being done on this issue by many institutions. As @boothicus.bsky.social said, its not as cut and dry as that article suggests. And the Pitt Rivers is not the only institution that's been trying to address the issue
I am suggesting that the Guardian article's original graph (which they have now fixed admittedly) did not differentiate. The graph title stated that. I think that was inflammatory and poor journalism. I also think as a museum professional you know this issue is more complex.
If development necessitates disturbing a graveyard (in the uk) what is the most ethical answer? Bulldozing the graves? Disturbing the dead without looking at the skeletons?
I beleive telling their stories is the least we can do if we are going to disturb them. Archives are part of that
So while there *is* an issue that needs to be adressed here, its important not to throw all human remains research under the bus, which alot of the press around this issue does
Quantifying human remains is not as streight forword as you think. Museums are relying on old records (funding is required to fix this, that's a different rant). Some places will be using the number of bones, some number of individuals. So one skeleton can be 206 entries or 1. Very hard to compare
The first is perhaps the most obvious if you look at the graphs. The article conflates human remains from UK archaeological work with remains from other countries. The vast majority of archived human remains in the UK are from development-led archaeology.
The second issue is less obvious...
The Guardian has posted a piece on human remains, and as an osteologist I want to add some thoughts. First off I agree that the legacy of colonialism is a problem, and that there are issues surrounding certain collections.
But
The numbers in that piece are massively inflated for two reasons
Also in terms of collections which are from modern development sites, I'm not sure there *is* a better solution. I am obviously biased, I work for such a unit, but I feel that the other two alternatives (allowing them to be destroyed or digging but not looking at them) are worse
The figures conflate remains from modern uk archaeological interventions (which are mostly a result of development) and legacy collections (which are an issue). I would assume that Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon largely hold the former....
Places are limited, and first come, first served โ submit your application soon to avoid disappointment!
Drop us an email at Community@oxfordarchaeology.com for the application form and information pack.
The bill got a second reading!!!
Another shout out to find people to take a short survey on stratigraphy if they have worked in UK archaeology. I am working on a research paper and would really love input! No identifying information is taken and it only takes 15 minutes to do
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Calling all UK archaeologists! I am conducting some reasearch on Stratigraphic literacy in the industry. If you work/have worked in archaeology in the UK I would really apprechiate if would fill in this survey!
forms.gle/5jZKpcf78gZt...
I am working on a paper on Stratigraphic literacy in the UK (forms.gle/dzFoQKq31tDQ...).
Prompted by working for a big UK unit which has offices all over, and finding out that what I thought was 'standard' really isn't even within the same company! So now I'm very interested in what 'standard' is
Im interested in anyone who has done archaeological work in the UK, be it professional or community arch! The questions are a bit geared around people who work professionally because survey design is a learning curve, but I still value your input!
Calling all UK archaeologists! I am conducting some reasearch on Stratigraphic literacy in the industry. If you work/have worked in archaeology in the UK I would really apprechiate if would fill in this survey!
forms.gle/5jZKpcf78gZt...
Do you work in UK archaeology? I'm trying to make a list of all the units that use matrix boxes or record the stratigraphic position of contexts on their recording sheets. Drop me a reply here with your unit and if they do or don't.
Bajr (British archaeology jobs resource) does a financial survey every year. A shocking number of archaeologists live below the poverty line here. I think alot of people depend on having a partner in a nonarchaeology job. I think we lose alot of very talented, smart, hardworking people because of it
Damn, wish I was avalible this is 100% my niche. Possibly check around the London units? Mola and pca are both always single context and have done several cemeteries
Wish this had been out when I was working on the nescot shaft! Looks excellent
A medieval church tower is suspended above a working archeological site at 50 Fenchurch Street in City of London. MOLA's Jess Bryan is talking on the multi-period site at CBA London's autumn London Archaeological Forum. Details and booking here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/autumn-london-archaeological-forum-with-cba-london-tickets-1891521484679?aff=oddtdtcreator
Time for a LAF
CBA London's autumn London Archaeological Forum, coming up 6pm, 18th Nov, Inst of Arch, free!
Super range of speakers + topics
*Jess Bryan MOLA: 50 Fenchurch St
*Ellen Green AOC: osteoarch of City burials
*Ian Hogg ASE: lost med manor
info/book: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/autumn-lon...
๐บ
It is that time again. And that time where its up to you, to help make our collective lives better. Poverty Impact Report 2025 is anonymous and we so need this information to help.
Please answer if you are employed in - or have been employed in UK Archaeology
survey.app.do/archaeologis...
Are you based in London? Are you interested in the cool archaeology under the capitol? CBA London is hosting a series of talks on Noverber 18th including one by yours truely on the people of St. Botolphs graveyard
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/autumn-lon...
Come hear me talk about how 3D modeling can help us recognise grave reopening and other funerary practices!
๐จ๐ช๐ฒโ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ต๐ถ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ฝ๐ฝ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐น๐ฑ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐ธ ๐๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต๐ฎ๐ฒ๐ผ๐น๐ผ๐ด๐ถ๐๐๐!๐จ
Looking to start a career in archaeologyโor thinking about making a career change into this exciting field? Oxford Archaeology is offering two paid apprenticeships on the A66 project in Cumbria.
Applications close on Sunday ๐
tr.ee/Apprentices
