Question

What limits do skeleton have as historical sources

Answer 1

The limits that human remains such as skeletons have as sources of historical information are:

1. Physical condition of the bones; usually the older, the more fragile and more difficult to study.
2. The completeness of the skeleton. Usually, skeletons are found incomplete for a number of reasons (anticipated decay of some bones, scavenging animals taking several bones away, etc.) and the more complete, the better.
3. The information that can be extracted from bones usually limits to: a) the dead person's physical features (height, physical build, gender, etc.); b) evidence of several diseases and/or trauma (injuries breaking bones), c) facial traits (through skull forensic reconstruction) and d) racial group, diet, evidence of toxins through study of he teeth.