JNHT hosts workshop on human bone analysis
January 16, 2009
The Bone - Man Connection
At last it's right in front of you, The Golden Idol, deep in the heart of the forest. A sly grin belies the dangers it holds for you, but you know that it's worth more than its weight in well...gold. With a deep sigh and steady hand you grasp it. You pause to savour your success, after the arduous journey you endured for this moment, but your prize has been booby trapped and the ground beneath you begins to quake. You dash out of the forbidden chamber, escaping poison darts and enraged boulders, just in time to get the accolades and the girl. Okay...so that might have been Indiana Jones, but he was more than an ingenious George Lucas character, he was an Archaeologist.
Archaeology is the study of the historic populations through the analysis of their material remains. Although archaeologists embark on many movie-worthy adventures, the majority of their work involves analyzing their findings. More like a detective than an adventurer. But no artefact bears such a significant link to the past as the bones of our ancestors themselves. That's where Osteology comes in.
Osteology is the sub-discipline of Archaeology that focuses on the study of human skeletal remains. Its use ranges from historical implications to modern forensic assessments. Bones survive long after muscle and other tissue have decayed and still bear the marks of the lives of those who came before us. The analysis of one man's teeth can tell us about the diet of his region, and by extension give insight into the agriculture of the era. A rugged femur can indicate the difference between an enslaved person that worked in the field slave and one that worked in the plantation house. An elongated skull can give us an idea of Taino standards for aesthetics. Bones found at a modern crime scene can define a person's age, sex, race and even determine the cause of their demise.
The Jamaica National Heritage Trust (JNHT), the primary organization that actively preserves, promotes and research the island's rich material cultural heritage will be hosting an eight day workshop on osteology beginning on Wednesday, January 21, 2009. The workshop is being spearheaded by the JNHT's Division of Archaeology, which is responsible for regulating archaeological research in Jamaica. The Division houses a significant collection of national artefacts and human skeletal remains.
Titled the The Bone-Man Connection, the workshop targets persons who are interested in the discipline of archaeology, specifically osteology. Members of the public are invited to the opening session on Wednesday, January 21 at 10:00 a.m. at the Institute of Jamaica Lecture Theatre, 12 East Street, Kingston.
In keeping with their commitment to be the advocate for Jamaican Heritage, the JNHT invites you to The Bone-Man Connection. This event will be held at the Institute of Jamaica from a.m. Special guest presenter is Dr. Ana Luisa Santos, a visiting osteologist from Portugal.
For further info Contact:
Andrea Braham
Public Relations Officer
pubed@jnht.com
922-1287-8, 922-3990
