| ochre | A red iron mineral sometimes found in prehistoric graves.
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| forensic reconstruction | Restoration of the facial tissues on human skulls, both past and present.
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| bioarchaeology | The study of human remains from archaeological contexts.
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| human osteology | The study of human skeletal remains for information on past biology and behavior.
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| cremation | A funereal practice involving immolation of the corpse. Cremation burials usually consist of ash and a few fragments of bone and teeth, and are often found in urns and small pits. Contrast with inhumation.
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| inhumation | Burial of all or part of the corpse; contrast with cremation.
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| primary inhumation | Burial of the complete corpse after death.
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| secondary inhumation | Reburial or burial of partial or skeletal human remains often missing some parts.
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| bundle burial | A disarticulated group of bones buried in a group, probably tied in a bundle or wrapped in a skin or cloth.
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| cortical bone | Hard, dense bone tissue commonly found in limbs and supporting structure of the skeleton.
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| trabecular bone | Spongy bone tissue found in the interior of bone.
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| axial skeleton | The trunk and head (all the bones of the head and neck, the vertebrae, ribs and sternum).
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| appendicular skeleton | The limbs (the clavicles, scapulae, bones of the pelvis, and the upper and lower limbs, including the hands and feet).
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| articular | The portion of the bone that touches another bone, usually a surface at the end or edge of a bone.
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| myoglobin | A protein found in human tissue, its presence in human feces is used as evidence for cannibalism.
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| deciduous teeth | The first set of "baby" teeth that are lost when the permanent teeth come in.
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| epiphysis | Joint ends of bones where growth occurs.
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| pubic symphysis | The "face" of the pelvis where the two halves join, important area for age determination in the skeleton.
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| paleopathology | The study of medical disorders and injury in human skeletal remains.
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| parry fracture | A distinctive break in the forearm resulting from a blow to an arm raised in protection.
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| Harris lines | Interruption of growth evidenced in a skeleton by darker bands in the ends of long bones.
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| enamel hypoplasia | Irregular lines in tooth enamel resulting from childhood stress or malnutrition.
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| cribra orbitalia | Pitting and thickening of the eye sockets in the skull caused by anemia or parasitic infections.
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| DNA | The blueprints for life; hereditary material; a long molecular chain of molecules called chromosomes found in both the nucleus of the cell and in cell structures known as mitochrondria.
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| nucleotides | Basic building blocks of DNA, each made up of one of four base units (adenine, cytosine, guanine, or thymine) that together make up the long molecules of chromosomes.
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| ancient DNA (aDNA) | Genetic material preserved in archaeological or paleontological remains.
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| mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) | Modern genetic material taken from the mitochondria, inherited only through the maternal line.
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| polymerase chain reaction (PCR) | Technique in genetic studies to increase quantities of DNA sample by rapid cloning.
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| mortuary analysis | Study of graves and their contents to learn about past societies and individuals.
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| grave goods | Food and/or other goods, often valuable, sometimes buried with deceased individuals.
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| achieved status | Earned position of prestige in society determined by skills, abilities, and effort.
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| ascribed status | Inherited position of prestige in society determined by birth.
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| human taphonomy | Study of the placement and decomposition of the corpse in the grave.
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| spondylus | Species of large marine mollusk with a prized shell.
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| effigy | An object or construction in the shape of a plant, animal, or human figure.
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| gorget | Jewelry worn on the chest.
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