archaeologist
- Thread starter Burt
- Start date
Peter Burgess
New member
I'll date it. What does it like to drink?
graham
New member
Burt said:Wanted:
Someone in Mendip area who can help identify, date and preserve the skull found in Rods pot (see "breakthrough in Rods Pot thread).
reward
We used to get the late Dr Jacobi to do all the IDs, but I should be able to get someone to do that. Dating is harder and will probably cost you a bit if you want it done properly. Has Wells & Mendip Museum not been helpful with conservation? If it's clean bone normally slowly letting it dry & then keeping in stable dry conditions should be enough.
Burt
New member
Hi Graham
thanks for the info, I have tried Wells Museum but no-one seems to be coming forth as yet. I may date it properly but only after someone has looked at it and determined that it's unusual; if they say "oh yes its an oryxial neandethal, I had one of these in last week" (or something like that) I may not bother.
After carefully removing the mud with a toothbrush it's now slowly drying out in my garage.
thanks for the info, I have tried Wells Museum but no-one seems to be coming forth as yet. I may date it properly but only after someone has looked at it and determined that it's unusual; if they say "oh yes its an oryxial neandethal, I had one of these in last week" (or something like that) I may not bother.
After carefully removing the mud with a toothbrush it's now slowly drying out in my garage.
Les W
Active member
Alex said:
Then they get the police forensic scientists to help with their dig
However it is believed to be the skull of a goat.
http://ukcaving.com/board/index.php/topic,10179.0.html
graham
New member
Then it becomes a bloody nuisance!Alex said:
You have to notify the Police and/or the coroner of any finds of human remains. Either they really don't want to know as it's clearly too old to be of interest to them, or they become too interested, take the stuff into custody & when they have finished failing to pin something on anyone they cremate it or bury it which is a real pain.
Neddie - "This skull is Fifty Million Years Old!"
Henry and Min - "Happy Birthday to you..."
-The Goon Show, 'The Scarlet Capsule', 2/2/1959
Henry and Min - "Happy Birthday to you..."
-The Goon Show, 'The Scarlet Capsule', 2/2/1959
busty_caver
New member
Hi,
I'm an archaeologist and also volunteer at Wells Museum. You need to speak to Barry Lane the new curator at the museum. Don't bother calling the museum as he is not always there and you only get a volunteer on the phone who is different everyday. I'm in there most Friday afternoon cataloging bones.
In 3 years I've worked through all the 4000 bones from Bone Hole and also rebagged and catalogued all the animal bones from HLIS.
Your photos are good but someone specialising in animal bones would need to take a look. I'm more into human bones although I can tell the difference between cow, deer, sheep, dog etc but difference between say dog and wolf is more specialised. I do have books on it.
I'll PM you Barry's contact details.
kind regards,
Hannah
I'm an archaeologist and also volunteer at Wells Museum. You need to speak to Barry Lane the new curator at the museum. Don't bother calling the museum as he is not always there and you only get a volunteer on the phone who is different everyday. I'm in there most Friday afternoon cataloging bones.
In 3 years I've worked through all the 4000 bones from Bone Hole and also rebagged and catalogued all the animal bones from HLIS.
Your photos are good but someone specialising in animal bones would need to take a look. I'm more into human bones although I can tell the difference between cow, deer, sheep, dog etc but difference between say dog and wolf is more specialised. I do have books on it.
I'll PM you Barry's contact details.
kind regards,
Hannah
busty_caver
New member
Looking through photos, bone books etc I'd suggest this is sheep or goat (I only have a degree and some practical experience - I'm no Doctor!). The skull is facing downwards in the photos i.e. the horns are not up in the air but rather should be back away from the head. The skull is lying face down with the smooth domed section in front of the horns actually the occipital area of the skull which we have on the back of our heads and through which the spinal cord runs.
I hope this makes sense - if you ever need anyone to come and help let me know. I live in Shepton and am always around at weekend and evenings.
kind regards,
Hannah
I hope this makes sense - if you ever need anyone to come and help let me know. I live in Shepton and am always around at weekend and evenings.
kind regards,
Hannah
busty_caver
New member
Forgot to mention - there is no way in hell that is human. Size too small, horns etc. Silly of people even to suggest it.
Graham is correct - allow to dry very slowly to prevent cracking and splintering.
Human skulls however are very facinating. I get to handle them a lot. The teeth tell a lot about diet etc. Something quite humbling about handling a dead human and realising that one day we will all be just dry bones... that out time on this planet is but fleeting... and that one day you too could be in a collection of a musum being touched by an archaeologist and having your eye sockets and teeth examined!
Graham is correct - allow to dry very slowly to prevent cracking and splintering.
Human skulls however are very facinating. I get to handle them a lot. The teeth tell a lot about diet etc. Something quite humbling about handling a dead human and realising that one day we will all be just dry bones... that out time on this planet is but fleeting... and that one day you too could be in a collection of a musum being touched by an archaeologist and having your eye sockets and teeth examined!
busty_caver
New member
Examples of the rear of sheep and goat skulls for comparison:
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16768/16768-h/images/sumatra-11a.jpg
http://www.canterburytrust.co.uk/schools/assets/catkits/bone016.jpg
http://www.karakulsheep.com/images/Figure7.jpg
Examination of the long bones and mandible (if you have excavated them) would indicate whether this was a juvenile or adult. From photos with sutures evident on the skull and horns short and straight I would suggest juvenile but would need to examine the bones or see more photos to be sure.
http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16768/16768-h/images/sumatra-11a.jpg
http://www.canterburytrust.co.uk/schools/assets/catkits/bone016.jpg
http://www.karakulsheep.com/images/Figure7.jpg
Examination of the long bones and mandible (if you have excavated them) would indicate whether this was a juvenile or adult. From photos with sutures evident on the skull and horns short and straight I would suggest juvenile but would need to examine the bones or see more photos to be sure.
