SKELETON INVESTIGATION
D. Crowley, 2008
Monday, March 21, 2016
Skeleton Investigation
 To use known information to solve new problems
Skeleton
 What is the skeleton?
 Why do we have one?
 What makes up our skeletal system?
Skeleton
 Our skeleton is made up of 206 bones: calcium and other minerals
make the bone strong but slightly flexible
 Bone is a living tissue with a blood supply (it can repair itself if
broken, and exercise and a balanced diet are important for a healthy
skeleton)
 The skeleton has three main functions:  Supporting the body
 Protecting some of the vital organs
 Helping the body move
Movement
 Some bones in the skeleton are joined rigidly together and cannot
move against each other - bones in the skull are joined like this
 Other bones are joined to each other by flexible joints - muscles are
needed to move bones attached by joints
Strength
 The human skeleton is very strong, especially teeth…
 Special support is needed if teeth are knocked out to try and make
them as strong as the originals…
Investigation
 Your task is to help part of the time team in their investigation into
some partial skeletons which were found last year…
The Times
4th June 2007
Waking The Dead
Partial skeletons found in Hampshire
road cutting
Location
 The partial skeletons were found while road repairs on were being
carried out on the Newbury bypass, about 60km north of Ringwood
Damage
 The workers found the skeletons when their diggers were building
the embankment of a section of road cutting – however the
skeletons were badly damaged…
Ancient Remains
 The archaeologists are keen to find out more the skeletons from
these unknown people – when did they live; what did they eat; how
big were they etc…
Initial Task
Tony, Mick & Phil
 Your initial task is to help the time team investigate how tall these
people were
 Remember, the skeletons are incomplete, so we cannot simply
measure one of them to find out!
 How could you help solve this problem?!
 You have five minutes to plan with your partner what you could do
to investigate the height of the unknown peoples
 Consider the rules your own body follows to help investigate their
height
Skeleton
 There are a few general rules which fit the average human skeleton
 Arm to arm length = total height
 Foot length = elbow to wrist length
 Thumb to finger outstretched = head length
 5x foot length = height
 7x head length = height
 What could affect these general rules?
 Not all people will fit this pattern – it is a general trend
 Age will massively affect this – especially if individuals are going
through puberty (experiencing growth spurts) etc…
Task
 You are going to be given some time to measure, and calculate if
these general rules are correct
1.
What would you need to do to see if, for example, on average
people’s foot length x5 = their height
1.
How can we see if the data collected is reliable (it can be
trusted)?
1.
How can you be precise (ensuring repeat results are close
together)?
1.
What should we do if there are any anomalies (measurements
which are well away from the pattern shown by other results)?
Results
 Remember to sample enough people to make your results reliable,
to hopefully show a pattern (at least 10) – its no use saying a rule
such as foot length x 5 = height if it only applies for one person!
 If the data seems to constantly fit a pattern – i.e. everyone in the
room had the same result then we may well be able to say the data
collected is reliable…
 If there are any anomalies repeat your measuring / sample some
more people
 Finally, remember to be as precise as possible when taking your
measurements (smallest scale when measuring)
Results
 Produce a table to collect your results in – you may choose to look at
just one rule (e.g. foot length x5 = height)
 If you are quick you may be able to look at more than one rule
Individual
Person 1
Person 2
Person 3
Average
Foot length (cm)
Height (cm)
Foot length x 5
(cm)