Bioarchaeology and Behavior: The People of the Ancient Near East

by Megan A. Perry (Editor)

Overview

While mortuary ruins have long fascinated archaeologists and art historians interested in the cultures of the Near East and eastern Mediterranean, the human skeletal remains contained in the tombs of this region have garnered less attention. In Bioarchaeology and Behavior, Megan Perry presents a collection of essays that aim a spotlight on the investigation of the ancient inhabitants of the circum-Mediterranean area.

Composed of eight diverse papers, this volume synthesizes recent research on human skeletal remains and their archaeological and historical contexts in this region. Utilizing an environmental, social, and political framework, the contributors present scholarly case studies on such topics as the region’s mortuary archaeology, genetic investigations of migration patterns, and the ancient populations’ health, disease, and diet.

            Other key anthropological issues addressed in this volume include the effects of the domestication of plants and animals, the rise of state-level formations, and the role of religion in society. Ultimately, this collection will provide anthropologists, archaeologists, and bioarchaeologists with an important foundation for future research in the Near East and eastern Mediterranean.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780813064789
Publisher:	University Press of Florida
Publication date:	03/13/2018
Series:	Bioarchaeological Interpretations of the Human Past: Local, Regional, and Global
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	228
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Megan A. Perry is associate professor of anthropology at East Carolina University and codirector of the Petra North Ridge Project.

Table of Contents

List of Figures ix

List of Tables xi

Foreword xiii

Introduction Megan A. Perry Jane E. Buikstra 1

1 On the Tail End of Variation in Late Neolithic Burial Practices: Halaf Feasting and Cannibalism at Domuztepe, Southeastern Anatolia Suellen C. Gauld James S. Oliver Sarah Whitcher Kansa Elizabeth Carter 8

2 An Exploration of Infant Burial Practices at the Site of Kish, Iraq Christina Torres-Rouff William J. Pestle 35

3 The Burial Customs of Early Christian Cyprus: A Bioarchaeological Approach Sherry C. Fox Ioanna Moutafi Eleni Anna Prevedorou Despo Pilides 60

4 A Bioarchaeological Perspective on the Burials and Basilicas of Medieval Polis, Cyprus Brenda J. Baker Amy Papalexandrou 80

5 Condemned to Metallum? Illuminating Life at the Byzantine Mining Camp at Phaeno in Jordan Megan A. Perry Drew S. Coleman David L. Dettman Abdel Halim al-Shiyab 115

6 Food for Thought: Isotopic Evidence for Dietary and Weaning Practices in a Byzantine Urban Monastery in Jerusalem Lesley A. Gregoricka Susan G. Sheridan 138

7 Buccal Dental Microwear as an Indicator of Dietary Habits of the Natufian People of El-Wad and El-Kebarah Mohammad Alrousan Alejandro Pérez-Pérez 165

8 Daily Activity and Lower Limb Modification at Bab edh-Dhra', Jordan, in the Early Bronze Age Jaime M. Ullinger Susan G. Sheridan Donald J. Ortner 180

List of Contributors 203

Index 207

Editorial Reviews

"A fine volume for anyone wishing [for] a survey of bioarchaeological research in the eastern Mediterranean and the Near East."—HOMO: Journal of Comparative Human Biology "Makes a convincing argument for the efficacy of historical bioarchaeology. . . . A timely overview of a cutting-edge discipline."—Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research "Very interesting. . . . Impressive temporal and methodical variability."—Bioarchaeology of the Near East

From the Publisher