T. Waldron

Waldron describes Shadows in the Soil as offering a 'guided tour' of palaeo-osteology as opposed to an exhaustive excursion. He is undoubtedly right, but this is no bad thing; in fact, what could have been a laborious examination of details is actually a rather fascinating and easygoing introduction to the field.

Beginning with the basics, Waldron explains how the age, sex, height, weight, and (with important caveats) the potential occupation of the deceased can be ascertained, before then explaining how the likely cause of death is determined (be it trauma, disease, suicide, execution, or even cannibalism). The final section is dedicated to the various traces disease leaves on the skeleton, focussing on osteoarthritis, various arthropathies, tuberculosis, leprosy, syphilis, and cancer, while also taking note of fractures, amputation, child abuse, trephination, and more besides (his explanation of how isotopic analysis can potentially indicate diet is especially interesting).

Waldron proves himself a superb guide: his enthusiasm for the subject is obvious yet in no way excessive, and unlike many specialist authors he notes his subject's faults along with the achievements. He mostly avoids technical jargon but where he deems it necessary he takes care to ensure that it is adequately explained. The many photographs and diagrams are of course invaluable in such a work.

This is an altogether great introduction, being both informative and rewarding, and would certainly be of benefit to anyone requiring insight into the use of human bones in archaeology.… (meer)