1 Paleoradiology: History and New Developments - Academia.dk

Fig. 3.18. X-rays of immature pig (left) and sheep jaws (right),
showing variable internal age-related detail of tooth development
of a similar kind on other mammals. As it is easier
to x-ray living populations of domesticates, it is to
be hoped that studies will eventually be initiated on
possible age-related change, as mentioned previously.
We also need growth information on wild species, as
exemplified by a comparison of a neonate cave bear,
with the x-ray of a neonate brown bear (Abel and Kyrle
1931) (Fig. 3.19).
One might hope that in the future, the interests of
the zooarcheologist are combined with the biologist
in order that research designs may include questions
perhaps of special relevance to investigating past populations.
Having said that, the radiographic study
of skeletal growth provided by Whenham, Adam,
and Moir (Wenham et al. 1986) on development in
fetal red deer provides precise data of the kind that
we need more of in archeology. Mention of this study
serves to emphasize this continual need to relate
modern data to the resolution of problems in the past,
and indeed, there are now studies on a growing range
of species, from Rhesus monkeys to horses and cattle
(Brown et al. 1960; MacCallum et al. 1978; van Wagenen
and Asling 1958; Wenham et al. 1969, 1986).
With this kind of information for reference, ancient
material can be aged more accurately (Kratochvil et
al. 1988). It might also be noted here that studies on living
species may have relevance to the interpretation
of abnormal growth in the past (Rudali 1968).
3.8 Frozen, Dried, and Mummified Bodies
Fig. 3.19. Neonate cave-bear bones (right) compared with the xray
of a modern neonate brown bear (left; after Abel and Kyrle
1931.)
A final point regarding growth is that it is clearly
related to the degree of sexual dimorphism. Part of
the final growth differentials leading to sexual dimorphism
in parts of the skeleton may in fact result
in changes to the internal architecture of bones, and
this matter has yet to be assessed.
3.8
Frozen, Dried, and Mummified Bodies
For well over two centuries the arid conditions of
Egypt, Peru, and other regions of the world have
produced bodies of interest to archeology. Somewhat
unusually, even part of the second woolly rhinoceros
found frozen at Starunia in Poland was x-rayed
for detail of the foot (Fig. 3.20) (Novak et al. 1930).
Some of the bodies, representing humans and other
vertebrate species, have naturally dried after burial.
Others, especially many from Egypt, have been submitted
to mummification procedures – usually by the
application of natron. After removing various inner
organs and embalming all the soft tissues, the Ancient
Egyptians wrapped the bodies of kings, queens,
and special dignitaries, as well as a variety of ritual
animals (cats, birds, shrews, even baby crocodiles and
snakes).
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