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)

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

Places are limited, and first come, first served – submit your application soon to avoid disappointment! Drop us an email at [email protected] 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...

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.

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

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... 🏺

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!

🚨𝗪𝗲’𝗿𝗲 𝗵𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 𝗔𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗲𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝘀!🚨 Looking to start a career in archaeology—or 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 📅 tr.ee/Apprentices

I am conducting a study on the use of stratigraphic matrices in UK #archaeology. If you are a UK archaeologist I would love to get your oppinion! No identifying data will be collected, so come have your (anonymous) say! docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

4 years, 6 papers and 11,000 bones later...

Our Hozier yell moment is here!!! Registration is open for BABAO 2025 and the preliminary program is up! Head to adaviesb.wixsite.com/babao2025/re... to sign up for some exceptional workshops.

*INDIANA JONES AND THE CLOSURE OF THE ARCHAEOLOGY DEPARTMENT*

This is really cool, but I do think as a profession we need to stop framing us finding things as "halting construction". The villa was almost certainly uncovered by archaeologists working on the site as part of the planning conditions. That is what the majority of us do!

Site Archaeologists: London AOC Holdings LTD Salary: £28,317 – £29,358 (depending on experience) Closing Date: 18/07/25 Location: London www.bajr.org/job-ad/site-...

News | Proposed changes to human remains law could have ‘unintended consequences’ – archaeologists call for greater input in government discussions and a review of current guidance

Are you interested in the differences in approach between zooarchs and osteos when it comes to pathology? Check out my latest paper! kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F...

"American archaeologists face a diminished, uncertain future. Government support for research, preservation and museums has been largely scaled back. Archaeology and cultural heritage staff have been fired, federal agencies have been gutted..." #archaeology #anthropology 🏺

Is AI a good thing?

Got to stretch my archaeothanatology muscles while working on a site report today. What better way to celebrate may day then identifying all the wierd and wonderful ways the living interacted with the dead

Just keep your humours aligned and keep a sponge soaked in theives vinegar to keep away the miasma. Thus shall the plauge shall pass you by!

Impressively the island from Lost has only been hit by 10% tariffs, however the 44% tariffs on Atlantis may just be enough to sink it.

🚨 BIG ANNOUNCEMENT! 🚨 OA is proud to launch Oxford BARKaeology—the UK’s first doggy daycare dedicated to canine-led excavation! 🐶🏺 Why let humans have all the fun when our four-legged friends have pawsome digging skills? #OxfordBARKaeology #DiggingUpThePast #TrowelsAndTails #AprilFools

Truth.

Everyone loves dogs. Especially the Romans! The last paper of my PhD looks at the health of a large assemblege of Dogs from a ritual shaft Roman Britain doi.org/10.1016/j.ij...

I have a new paper out! Multi-stage mortuary roles in Roman Britain and human remains within ritual shafts! This was the bit of my phd I was proudest of doi.org/10.1017/S006...

Not 1, but 2 articles about #Southwark in our Winter 2025 issue! Rebecca Haslam and Ireneo Grosso draw on work at Harper Road and Brandon House, and reappraise existing evidence to revise the model of Roman roads in Southwark. Stane Street under excavation at Harper Road ©Pre-Construct Archaeology

Raptors today are no longer scavenging around settlements like their prehistoric and medieval ancestors www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti... @juliettewaterman.bsky.social @naomisykes.bsky.social

Very cool research!

When in fact, all the archaeological evidence points to cultural assimilation. This is media manipulation at its very worst. And, it’s politically dangerous. I’m calling it. It’s beyond time for the post-processual generation to retire. They simply don’t understand the science. Nor the material.

My latest cartoon for @newscientist.bsky.social

Former PCA employee Ellen Green has made the press with her PhD research on a bone assemblage from 2015 excavations at a PCA site in Surrey. Ellen has identified a remarkable Roman artefact: a 2,000-year-old dog’s penis bone (baculum) painted with red ochre. www.pre-construct.com/news/a-paint...

Archaeologists found a painted dog baculum in a ritual shaft outside London. But they’re not sure what the unusual object means. 🤷🏻‍♀️ 🍆🏺🧪

Between AD 77 - 118 the people of Ewell, Surrey deposited the remains of c. 300 people and animals in an old mine shaft. The assemblege included a single red ochre stained penis bone from a dog, and evidence of the manipulation of remains. Read more about it here: doi.org/10.1111/ojoa...

Interviewer: Can you explain this gap in your resume? Archaeologist: It's a modern truncation

New paper out today. It's always worth reading the original research, rather than the media spin... #Archaeology #Prehistory www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

Wow, I'm blown away by how many followers I suddenly have! I am a bioarchaeologist interested in disarticulation and what it can tell us about interactions with the dead. I just finished my PhD, which looked at bioarchaeological approaches to Romano-British ritual.

Sherds - #archaeologists' joy! #archaeology #pottery 🏺

The IJO has just published a very helpful article on how to publish! Check it out here: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10....

Looking forword to reliving my digging days with a trip round Londinium today. Mithriums and baths and amphitheatres oh my!

My viva is on Monday. Does anyone have any decent last minuite advice they want to share?

#Neanderthal researchers - can anyone recommend the most recent publication/source that discusses all known body butchery/processing & cannibalism examples? 🏺 @whiterabbit36.bsky.social

My first paper in a major journal! If you are interested in the intersection of zooarchaeology and human osteology give it a look! kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https:%2F...

Bone people of all stripes! I am currently collecting information on the level of training and methods of lesion description in both human and animal remains. Please spare a moment to fill in my survey! forms.gle/k6T4ZKJDoTxQ...