The biology of people in the past is a rapidly expanding field of historical study. Our capacity to understand the biology of historical populations is experiencing remarkable developments on both theoretical and analytical fronts.
Human Biology and History weaves together the fields of biology, archaeology, and anthropology in an exchange of methods and theoretical perspectives that exemplify the interaction between human biology and history. The book presents methods developed for the analysis of biological material that can be applied to historical specimens to reveal the lifestyles and environments of individuals who lived thousands of years ago. Historical data sources are used to reveal the biology and population structure of past civilizations, while biological methods are used to interpret historical patterns and processes.
This multi-disciplinary volume presents a unique interlacing of human biology and history to illustrate how individuals and societies have evolved over time. It is an insightful reference for human biologists, historians, and students interested in the intriguing connections that can be made when scientific techniques are applied within a historical context.
ADAPTATION AND THE ENGLISH DEMOGRAPHIC REGIME, John Landers
Adaptation and the Organic Economy
The English Case: Population and Economy
Adaptation and Maladaptation
BRITISH POLYGYNY, Laura Betzig
The British Peerage
The Bastardy Ratio
Household Size
Household Composition
Fornication
Adultery
Kings
WARFARE AND POPULATION STRUCTURE, James H. Mielke
Materials
The Way of Finland
Impact of the War
Discussion and Summary
ISONYMY ANALYSIS: THE POTENTIAL FOR APPLICATION OF QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS OF SURNAME DISTRIBUTIONS TO PROBLEMS IN HISTORICAL RESEARCH, Malcolm Smith
Surname Studies in History
Surname Studies in Biological Anthropology
Marital Isonymy
Random Isonymy
Case Studies
Case Study: Coastguards at Selsey
Case Study: Occupations in Fylingdales
The Application of Isonymy to Historical Questions
CALCULATING NUTRITIONAL STATUS IN THE PAST FROM HISTORICAL SOURCES, Derek J. Oddy
Sources for Calculating Nutritional Status
Dietary Analysis
Results
Long-term Trends
THE ACHIEVEMENTS OF ANTHROPOMETRIC HISTORY, Roderick Floud
The Pattern of Change in Height
Height and the 'Standard of Living' Debate
Future Challenges
PALAEOBIOLOGY AS A TOOL FOR THE STUDY OF SURVIVAL OF PAST POPULATIONS, Pia Bennike
Neanderthals and the Upper Palaeolithic Populations
Palaeopathology and Palaeodemography of Neanderthals
The Upper Palaeolithic Population
The Mesolithic and Neolithic Populations
The Mesolithic Population
The Greenland Eskimos and the Norse
The Norse
'OBSERVE: OUR NOSES WERE MADE TO CARRY SPECTACLES, SO WE HAVE SPECTACLES', Christopher J. Knüsel
The Panglossian Paradigm
Plasticity: Definitions and Historical Context
The Origins of Modern Interest in Plastic Change
Controversy and Context
Early Developments
MINES, MEALS AND MOVEMENT: A HUMAN ECOLOGICAL APPROACH TO THE INTERFACE OF 'HISTORY AND BIOLOGY', Holger Schutkowski
Historical Biomonitoring
Residential Mobility
Dietary Behaviour
Biography
Malcolm Smith
