Osteology – the study of bones

Osteologists examine both human skeletons and animal bones, material that mainly comes from archaeological excavations.

Human skeletons can provide information about the individual – age, sex, dental status and height – and can tell us about pathological changes and injuries from accidents or violence.

By analysing isotopes from sulphur, nitrogen and carbon in teeth and bones, osteologists are able to find out about people’s eating habits, where they grew up and geographical movements over the course of their lives.