I began my archaeology degree at the University of Manchester in 2007, progressing onto a Master's in Human Osteology and Palaeopathology at the University of Bradford in 2010.
My PhD project at the University of Central Lancashire (2017) is titled - "Archaeological and Chemical Investigation of Flint and Flint Sources". The aim of this project is to use ICP-MS to investigate the procurement and movement of flint artefacts throughout Britain and Ireland. Address: West Yorkshire
Flint tools are arguably the most numerous artefact type recovered from prehistoric sites in Brit... more Flint tools are arguably the most numerous artefact type recovered from prehistoric sites in Britain and Ireland. Knowing which sources of flint were exploited for tool-making has the potential to change our perception of how prehistoric communities lived, moved, and traded goods within their landscape. Research undertaken by the Implement Petrology Group has revolutionised our understanding of how other lithologies were procured and transported through petrological and geological studies, however similar analyses of flint have been partial and sporadic. This may be due to the inherent difficulty in studying the structure of flint, or the over-reliance on qualitative, macroscopic methods of identification. These methods rely on visual characteristics of the flint, and have been used to ‘source’ flint to specific areas, e.g. movement of flint from the Yorkshire Wolds and Antrim coast into Scotland. The use of macroscopic characteristics is fraught with problems, and instead of enhancing our interpretations, can actually cause confusion. This paper will present the advantages of and disadvantages of the qualitative approach most commonly used in archaeological analysis of flint, before suggesting that the application of existing scientific methodologies can shift our attention from appreciation of colour, size, and texture, to more diagnostic differences. However, simply adding ‘science’ is not a silver bullet to the thorny issue of flint provenancing – can we strike a balance between the qualitative and the quantitative?
This paper presents an evaluation of the skeletal remains from Lobang Jeragan, a small cave cemet... more This paper presents an evaluation of the skeletal remains from Lobang Jeragan, a small cave cemetery in the Sarawak region of island Malaysia, Southeast Asia. Excavated in 1961, Lobang Jeragan contained 82 individuals buried in primary, secondary and manipulated graves. A range of mortuary behaviours were observed, including the application of haematite, cremation, a variety of material remains and coffin burial.
An osteological analysis of these remains was undertaken, identifying cultural modifications and pathological lesions. The remains were highly fragmented; however it was possible to age the majority of individuals. Sex estimation was more difficult, with just over a quarter of individuals at least provisionally sexed. The Lobang Jeragan results were then compared with the skeletal assemblage from the West Mouth, a contemporaneous site a few kilometres north. It is clear that the sites share many similarities in mortuary treatment, with the inclusion of haematite, manipulation of the skull in some graves, jar burials and extended primary graves. However, there are also significant differences in terms of individuals represented – the West Mouth has significantly lower numbers of subadults, potentially as a result of preservation bias.
Pathological lesions observed in the Lobang Jeragan population include an endocranial lesion, areas of nodular bone, dental abscesses and carious lesions. Cultural modifications were also observed, such as betel staining on the anterior dentition, interpreted here as for aesthetic effect.
The Lobang Jeragan population provides a wealth of information regarding the prehistory of Southeast Asia. The osteological and palaeopathological analyses have provided an indication of the value inherent in the bioarchaeology of this area.
Flint tools are arguably the most numerous artefact type recovered from prehistoric sites in Brit... more Flint tools are arguably the most numerous artefact type recovered from prehistoric sites in Britain and Ireland. Knowing which sources of flint were exploited for tool-making has the potential to change our perception of how prehistoric communities lived, moved, and traded goods within their landscape. Research undertaken by the Implement Petrology Group has revolutionised our understanding of how other lithologies were procured and transported through petrological and geological studies, however similar analyses of flint have been partial and sporadic. This may be due to the inherent difficulty in studying the structure of flint, or the over-reliance on qualitative, macroscopic methods of identification. These methods rely on visual characteristics of the flint, and have been used to ‘source’ flint to specific areas, e.g. movement of flint from the Yorkshire Wolds and Antrim coast into Scotland. The use of macroscopic characteristics is fraught with problems, and instead of enhancing our interpretations, can actually cause confusion. This paper will present the advantages of and disadvantages of the qualitative approach most commonly used in archaeological analysis of flint, before suggesting that the application of existing scientific methodologies can shift our attention from appreciation of colour, size, and texture, to more diagnostic differences. However, simply adding ‘science’ is not a silver bullet to the thorny issue of flint provenancing – can we strike a balance between the qualitative and the quantitative?
This paper presents an evaluation of the skeletal remains from Lobang Jeragan, a small cave cemet... more This paper presents an evaluation of the skeletal remains from Lobang Jeragan, a small cave cemetery in the Sarawak region of island Malaysia, Southeast Asia. Excavated in 1961, Lobang Jeragan contained 82 individuals buried in primary, secondary and manipulated graves. A range of mortuary behaviours were observed, including the application of haematite, cremation, a variety of material remains and coffin burial.
An osteological analysis of these remains was undertaken, identifying cultural modifications and pathological lesions. The remains were highly fragmented; however it was possible to age the majority of individuals. Sex estimation was more difficult, with just over a quarter of individuals at least provisionally sexed. The Lobang Jeragan results were then compared with the skeletal assemblage from the West Mouth, a contemporaneous site a few kilometres north. It is clear that the sites share many similarities in mortuary treatment, with the inclusion of haematite, manipulation of the skull in some graves, jar burials and extended primary graves. However, there are also significant differences in terms of individuals represented – the West Mouth has significantly lower numbers of subadults, potentially as a result of preservation bias.
Pathological lesions observed in the Lobang Jeragan population include an endocranial lesion, areas of nodular bone, dental abscesses and carious lesions. Cultural modifications were also observed, such as betel staining on the anterior dentition, interpreted here as for aesthetic effect.
The Lobang Jeragan population provides a wealth of information regarding the prehistory of Southeast Asia. The osteological and palaeopathological analyses have provided an indication of the value inherent in the bioarchaeology of this area.
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An osteological analysis of these remains was undertaken, identifying cultural modifications and pathological lesions. The remains were highly fragmented; however it was possible to age the majority of individuals. Sex estimation was more difficult, with just over a quarter of individuals at least provisionally sexed. The Lobang Jeragan results were then compared with the skeletal assemblage from the West Mouth, a contemporaneous site a few kilometres north. It is clear that the sites share many similarities in mortuary treatment, with the inclusion of haematite, manipulation of the skull in some graves, jar burials and extended primary graves. However, there are also significant differences in terms of individuals represented – the West Mouth has significantly lower numbers of subadults, potentially as a result of preservation bias.
Pathological lesions observed in the Lobang Jeragan population include an endocranial lesion, areas of nodular bone, dental abscesses and carious lesions. Cultural modifications were also observed, such as betel staining on the anterior dentition, interpreted here as for aesthetic effect.
The Lobang Jeragan population provides a wealth of information regarding the prehistory of Southeast Asia. The osteological and palaeopathological analyses have provided an indication of the value inherent in the bioarchaeology of this area.
An osteological analysis of these remains was undertaken, identifying cultural modifications and pathological lesions. The remains were highly fragmented; however it was possible to age the majority of individuals. Sex estimation was more difficult, with just over a quarter of individuals at least provisionally sexed. The Lobang Jeragan results were then compared with the skeletal assemblage from the West Mouth, a contemporaneous site a few kilometres north. It is clear that the sites share many similarities in mortuary treatment, with the inclusion of haematite, manipulation of the skull in some graves, jar burials and extended primary graves. However, there are also significant differences in terms of individuals represented – the West Mouth has significantly lower numbers of subadults, potentially as a result of preservation bias.
Pathological lesions observed in the Lobang Jeragan population include an endocranial lesion, areas of nodular bone, dental abscesses and carious lesions. Cultural modifications were also observed, such as betel staining on the anterior dentition, interpreted here as for aesthetic effect.
The Lobang Jeragan population provides a wealth of information regarding the prehistory of Southeast Asia. The osteological and palaeopathological analyses have provided an indication of the value inherent in the bioarchaeology of this area.