Photo:Dr Eileen Murphy analysing SK 331, a skeleton with
multiple osteochondromas Human osteology, the scientific study
of human skeletal remains has the potential to reveal exciting
insights into the physiques, health status, diet and lifestyles
of past populations. A full palaeopathological analyses was
undertaken on the Ballyhanna skeletons. The adults (n=869) were
analysed by Ms Catriona McKenzie, Project Osteoarchaeologist,
with the assistance of Ms Róisín McCarthy, Research
Osteorchaeologist. The non-adult remains (n=432) were examined
and recorded by Dr Eileen Murphy, Senior Project
Osteoarchaeologist, with the assistance of Ms Clare McGranaghan,
then of the Centre for Archaeological Fieldwork, QUB. A
biocultural approach was adopted in the analyses of the
individuals from Ballyhanna. The biological data were analysed
with reference to the cultural background which was identified
through a study of the historical and archaeological evidence
for Gaelic Medieval Donegal.