Anthropology 384/384L
Study Guide for First Written Exam
Exam Mechanics: The first written exam will include definitions, short answer/essay type questions.
Review the assigned reading (Chapters in White et al.: 1-3, 15, 16; Standards: Ch. 9, & 12) & lecture notes for
the first 6 weeks of the course. The topics to be included on the first exam include:
1.
Field procedures, recovery of skeletal remains, mortuary practices, postmortem changes, and MNI.
2
Analysis of skeletal remains, bioarchaeology.
3.
Measurement, instruments, photography, radiography, microscopy.
4.
Biochemical and microstructural techniques used in the analysis of human remain.
5.
Bone biology: the histological structure of cartilage (hyaline, elastic, fibro-cartilage) and bone tissue.
Locations in the skeleton of the different types of cartilage. Gross anatomy of a typical bone (e.g.,
epiphysis, diaphysis, medullary cavity, etc.) and functions of the skeleton.
6.
Bone growth. How do bones grow in length and girth? Review intramembranous and endrochondrial
ossification. Be able to outline (and illustrate) the general stages of bone grown from the hyaline precursor
stage through epiphyseal appearance and fusion, including general times.
7.
Teeth: histological structure of teeth, dental formula dental form and function, special anatomical terms
for dentition and notation.
8.
Review the anatomical terminology used in human osteology: e.g., axial vs. appendicular skeleton,
planes of reference, directional terms, motions, general bone features, joint classification.
9.
Parts of the skull: cranium, calvarium, calotte, mandible; names (& number) of bones in the skull, and
important morphological features found in the skull.
10.
Basic anatomy of the axial and appendicular skeletons.
Some Examples of Short Definitions
Mortuary practices
MNI
Premortem or Antemortem
Postmortem
Perimoretm
Weathering
Burned bone
Animal modification of bone
Primary interment
Secondary interment
ossuary
Index
aDNA
Bioarchaeology
Dietary reconstruction
Osteological paradox
Indicators of stress
mesenchyme
Collagen
Cartilage
Hyaline cartilage
Elastic cartilage
Fibro-cartilage
Chondrocyte
Perichondrium
Lamellar and non-lamellar bone
Cancellous/compact bone
Haversian system (osteon)
Canaliculi, lamellae, lacuna
Osteocyte
Osteoblasts
Osteoclasts
Volkmannʻs canals
Howshipʻs lacunae
Intramembranous/ endochondral ossification
Primary & secondary centers of ossification
Diaphysis
Epiphysis
Paleodemography
Paleopathology
Forensic anthropology
Taphonomy
Articulation
Axial /Appendicular Skeletons
Infracranial/postcranial
Synovial Joint
Cartilaginous Joint
Fibrous Joint
Synchrondrosis
Anthropology 384/384L
Symphysis
Ball and Socket Joint
Superior / Inferior
Anterior / Posterior
Medial / Lateral
Endocranial/ectocranial
Sagittal, Median, Horizontal, Coronal Planes
Skull
Cranium
Calvarium
Mandible
Frankfort Plane
Sutures
Names of cranial sutures
Spheno-Occipital Synchrondrosis
Flexion / Extension
Abduction / Adduction
Standard Anatomical Position
Epiphysis / Diaphysis
Foramen
Fossa
Fovea
Tuberosity
Sinus
Alveolus
Tubercle
Tuberosity
Malleolus
Condyle
Collagen
Radiocarbon Dating
Trace Element Analysis
Stable Isotope Analysis
Gustafsonʻs Method
Cultural Alteration of Bone
AMS
Osteon Counting Method
Dental Formula
Dentin
Cementum
Enamel
Homodont
Heterodont
Incisor
Canine
Premolar
Molar
Occulsal, Buccal, Lingual, Mesial, Distal
SEM
Sliding caliper
Spreading calipers
Osteometric Board
Sesamoid Bone
Pubic Symphysis
Some Examples of Short Answer/Essay Type Questions
1.
Contrast skeletal biology (osteology) and forensic anthropology.
2.
What are the main functions of the human skeleton?
2.
Outline the basic logic behind determining MNI.
3.
Name the skeletal elements included in the axial skeleton; appendicular skeleton; foot skeleton; facial
skeleton; hand skeleton; etc.
4.
What is meant by dental formula? What is the dental formula for adult and subadult humans?
5.
Diagram (and label) the hand and soft parts of the tooth microstructure.
6.
What is meant by mortuary practices? Give at least 4 different examples.
7.
What is generally included in an osteological report?
8.
Name and briefly describe, at least two histological / microstructural methods for determining age-atdeath.
9.
What has trace element (or stable isotopic analysis) been used to determine in studies of human skeletal
remains? Be specific.
10.
What are the 3 major kinds of cartilage found in living humans? Contrast the histological structure of each.
Provide an example where each type is incorporated into normal human anatomy/physiology.
11.
How do bones grow in length and in circumference? Provide a general schematic representation, as well,
that illustrates the development of a typical long limb bone including the approximate times of these stages.
12.
Outline the major stages of ossification in cartilage (intracartilaginous ossification).
13.
What are the 3 major situations in which bone is made (ossified)? Can cartilage become ossified?
14.
Outline the general steps involved in the recovery of human skeletal remains and steps to be taken in
Anthropology 384/384L
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
preparing the remains for transport to the laboratory
Why are teeth included in the study of the human skeleton? What are the benefits of studying teeth in
skeletal biology?
What can biochemical/microstructural techniques tell us about ancient people? List as many techniques
as possible and what each has been used for in the study of ancient people.
What is meant by cultural modification of human bone? Provide an example that illustrates this cultural
practice and the interpretations that have been given for it.
What is meant by the osteological paradox? Give examples and what are the solutions to the paradox.
Define antemortem, perimortem, and postmortem changes to bone. What are the defining features of
each?
Describe the field of bioarchaeology. What is included in this field on inquiry and what are some of the
problem as expressed in the ‘osteological paradox’?
Define normal anatomical position. Why is this important in studies of the human skeleton?
Outline the basic histological structure of compact bone. What are the functions of the individual
elements of this structure? Use a diagram to illustrate your answer.