Description:
The Bioarchaeology of Metabolic Bone Disease, Second Edition is a comprehensive source dedicated to better understanding this group of conditions that have significant consequences for health in both past and present communities on a global scale.
This edition presents an updated introduction to the biology and metabolism of mineralised tissues that are fundamental to understanding the expression of the metabolic bone diseases in skeletal remains. The extensive advances in understanding of these conditions in both bioarchaeological and biomedical work are brought together for the reader. Dedicated chapters focussing on each disease emphasise the integration of up-to-date clinical background with the biological basis of disease progression to give guidance on identification. New chapters covering anaemia and approaches to recognising the co-occurrence of pathological conditions have been included, reflecting recent advances in research. Boxes highlighting significant issues, use of information from sources such as texts and nonhuman primates, and theoretical approaches are included in the text. Each chapter closes with 'Core Concepts' that summarise key information. The final chapter reviews current challenges in bioarchaeology and provides directions for future research.
This is a must-have resource for users at all career stages interested in integrating information on the metabolic bone diseases into bioarchaeological projects.
Brief description: Dr Rachel Ives is the Curator of Anthropology in the department of Earth Sciences at the Natural History Museum, London. She is responsible for the curation of the palaeoanthropology, fossil primate, human remains, and artefact collections and promotes scientific research, exhibitions, and outreach access to the collections. Rachel's research interests are in bone cell biology together with skeletal palaeopathology, particularly the metabolic bone diseases and disease co-occurrence. Rachel has carried out large-scale surveys of metabolic bone diseases in urban contexts and was a post-doctoral researcher on a Calleva Foundation funded Child Health project at the NHM, investigating how the skeleton changes during childhood growth and in response to pathology. Rachel previously worked in the commercial sector carrying out archaeological cemetery excavations and osteological analyses, and she continues work in osteoarchaeological consultancy for heritage development projects.