Atomic Absorption Analysis of Archaeological Remains: Human Ribs from Woodland Mortuary Sites

Interest in the application of the physical sciences to the problems of archaeology leads to this thesis, concerned with chemical techniques in the determination of the elemental composition of archaeological finds, in particular, human bones. The elemental analysis of human ribs from over 100 individuals from two Woodland burial sites – Gibson and Ledders – excavated in western Illinois has been determined. Data were collected to gain information concerning dietary practices in these cultures. Statistical analysis of the results permits an element-by-element examination of differences based on sex, age, status of burial, and provenance. These analyses provide the largest data set, to date, on ancient human bone composition.