Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) employs staff with expertise in human and faunal osteology. Work in these areas provides evidence for palaeoecology, diet, butchery, animal husbandry, trade patterns, refuse disposal, industrial and craft activities, demography and health. In addition to carrying out project work, osteology staff can provide lectures and workshops on any aspect of their work.
The osteology staff are based at 46 Eagle Wharf Road and work closely with their colleagues in the Centre for Human Bioarchaeology, a research and curatorial department based at London Wall, providing cutting-edge research for the development of the Wellcome Osteological Research Database (WORD) project.
Experts in human osteology provide advice on strategies relating to the treatment of human remains and the ethical and legal requirements for the excavation and clearance of cemeteries, charnel pits, crypts and vaults. They record, analyse and interpret human skeletal remains, including burnt bone (cremation burials), from any period or region. Years of experience has made us an acknowledged leader in this field, with special expertise in dealing with large and complex assemblages. Advice can also be given on C14 dating of bone, isotopic analysis for evidence of diet/past pollution and aDNA analysis.
Our osteologists recently completed the analysis of 5,500 medieval skeletons from east London and are currently working on sites as diverse as 1, 500 post-medieval burials from across the Capital and a prehistoric barrow cemetery from Hampshire. MOLA osteologists are involved in a number of collaborative projects with leading University departments and publish in peer review journals. MOLA is actively involved in the professional development of the discipline.
Experts in the study of faunal remains work on the identification and interpretation of archaeological or modern animal bones from all vertebrate groups. We have a special expertise in the analysis of fish, birds, and mammals. We can also provide identification and interpretation of terrestrial, freshwater and marine mollusc shells and crustaceans, and freshwater and marine bryozoans.
Human and faunal osteologists work together with forensic archaeologists to provide both on- and off-site identification of human and animal bone. When required, osteological analysis to determine the age, sex, and health status of an individual, and advice on preparation of specialist evidence can be provided.
See our osteology section