Theme:
2. Archaeological Sciences, Humanities and the Digital era: Bridging the Gaps
Session format:
Regular session
Title:
New Directions for Metric and Nonmetric Biodistance Analysis in Europe and Beyond
Content:
Methods investigating biological relatedness, collectively referred to as Biological Distance (or Biodistance) Analysis, are powerful tools for investigating and reconstructing networks from the intra-cemetery to inter-continental scale. Biodistance analysis has been applied to questions of kinship, regional population affinities, and evolutionary speciation. Many of these methods are built on traditional osteological techniques, including non-metric and metric studies of the cranium and dentition with technological and statistical advances further refining these methods. Recent publications (e.g., Pilloud and Hefner 2016; Scott and Irish 2017; Rathman and Reyes-Centeno 2020, Rathmann, Lismann et al. 2023) demonstrate an active and growing specialist area. Despite this, biodistance analysis is, seemingly, under-utilised in European contexts and institutions. Furthermore, researchers often focus on one data type/analysis when performing biodistance analysis, with the integration of different data types and methods a relatively rare occurrence. Additionally, the constraints imposed by missing data in the osteological record often result in relatively small datasets, which can limit the application of robust statistical methods and occasionally lead to valuable datasets remaining unpublished.
This session aims to address the current state of biodistance analysis in Europe and to develop a network of Europe-based researchers using these methods.
The session welcomes papers from researchers at all levels who use biodistance analysis in their work on European material or in European institutions. The papers can present ongoing research or explore theoretical and methodological issues. Research may focus on one form of analysis (e.g., craniometrics) or multiple forms of analysis (e.g., dental non-metrics and metrics). Papers which also incorporate other forms of data (e.g., biomolecular or artefactual evidence) as supplementary data to the biodistance analysis are also encouraged.
Keywords:
Biodistance Analysis, Metrics, Morphology, Dental Anthropology
Session associated with MERC:
no
Session associated with CIfA:
no
Session associated with SAfA:
no
Session associated with CAA:
no
Session associated with DGUF:
no
Session associated with other:
Main organiser:
Matthew Lee (United Kingdom) 1
Co-organisers:
Katie Faillace (United Kingdom) 2
IJk van Hattum (Belgium) 3
Affiliations:
1. Durham University
2. Cardiff University
3. Ghent University
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