Biosocial archaeology of the Early Neolithic: synthetic analyses of human skeletal remains from the LBK cemetery of Vedrovice, Czech Republic.

Zvelebil, M.; Pettitt, P.

Abstract

Bioarchaeology is a powerful tool in the examination of prehistoric collections of human skeletal remains. Application of a few bioarchaeological techniques (ancient DNA, carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes, and dental micro-wear) to the human osteological remains from the Early Neolithic LBK settlement of Vedrovice (Moravia), has allowed us to reconstruct not only broad cultural patterns but also the life histories of the individuals with insights into diet, migrations, ancestry, personal identity, social position and life experience. Vedrovice acted as a gateway settlement for a farming community with close ties to western Hungary and northeast Bohemia. The individuals showed clear differences in status and migration histories, giving glimpses of more complex social practices and patterns than could have been determined through the traditional culture-historical studies.

Citation

Zvelebil, M., & Pettitt, P. (2013). Biosocial archaeology of the Early Neolithic: synthetic analyses of human skeletal remains from the LBK cemetery of Vedrovice, Czech Republic. Journal of Anthropological Archaeology, 32(3), 313-29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaa.2012.01.011

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Publication Date: 2013-09
• Deposit Date: Apr 1, 2015
• Journal: Journal of Anthropological Archaeology
• Print ISSN: 0278-4165
• Electronic ISSN: 1090-2686
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 32
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 313-29
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaa.2012.01.011
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1443600