Lana Williams | University of Central Florida (original) (raw)

Books by Lana Williams

Preface Crime scenes involving human skeletal remains can be very complex scenes to process. Unfo... more Preface Crime scenes involving human skeletal remains can be very complex scenes to process. Unfortunately, standard training for many crime scene units and law enforcement personnel typically does not include methods for search and recovery of human remains. Many ...

An essential reference for both forensic experts and non-experts alike, Forensic Recovery of Huma... more An essential reference for both forensic experts and non-experts alike, Forensic Recovery of Human Remains: Archaeological Approaches is a comprehensive guide that
focuses on the practical aspects of excavating and recovering human remains, along with any associated evidence, from crime scenes. It highlights the protocols and techniques that are used to successfully survey, map, recover, document, collect, and transport such items from these locations.

Topics include identifying the difference between forensic archaeology and anthropology; employing the correct equipment when conducting searches, recoveries, and excavations; leveraging geophysical technologies used in forensic searches; collecting botanical and entomological evidence; mapping and documenting scenes; and classifying human and nonhuman skeletal remains.

The authors present this information in a thorough yet straightforward manner for those who are experienced in the field of forensic recovery and for those who may not yet be as seasoned. In either situation, if you want to be confident that you have uncovered and carefully processed every bit of potential evidence at the scene, then Forensic Recovery of Human Remains: Archaeological Approaches is the one reference to have with you every time.

This reference, now in its second edition, is a comprehensive guide that focuses on the practical... more This reference, now in its second edition, is a comprehensive guide that focuses on the practical aspects of excavating and recovering human remains, as well as any associated evidence, from crime scenes. It highlights the protocols and techniques that are used to successfully survey, map, recover, document, collect, and transport evidence. New additions to the reference include discussion questions and suggested readings, updated mapping and measuring techniques, including a section on GIS and backpack differential GPS systems, expanded information on botany, DNA, and soil, and non-forensic burial contexts. Almost 200 illustrations are included to help clarify concepts.

Papers by Lana Williams

Children in Antiquity, 2020

American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 2018

Objectives: The Baltic region, particularly Lithuania, was a politically vibrant area of Eastern ... more Objectives: The Baltic region, particularly Lithuania, was a politically vibrant area of Eastern Europe during the medieval and early modern period. To better understand the diet of Lithuanians during the late 14th to early 18th century, we examine stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratios from bone and dentin samples from the site of Alytus. We investigate possible dietary differences based on sex, age, and religious practice, as well as dietary changes throughout an individual's lifetime, within the broader European milieu. Materials and methods: Stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis was conducted on bone (n = 35) and dentin (n = 38) collagen samples from a total of 39 individuals buried in the cemetery at Alytus (late 14th to early 18th centuries). Results: Results indicate individuals at Alytus consumed a C 3 terrestrial based diet. The δ 13 C and δ 15 N values are not significantly different between bone and dentin, and did not vary by sex. Discussion: The diet at Alytus was homogeneous between males and females and between tissue types. The lack of evidence indicating substantial consumption of fish is unexpected given widespread Catholic fasting practices and marine resource trade throughout Europe. Comparisons with other populations indicate that individuals from Alytus differ in diet from contemporaneous Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth elites. Comparison of the diets of non-elite individuals in the Eastern Baltic region also reveals dietary variability.

American journal of physical anthropology, May 13, 2017

Historical evidence has provided information regarding disease and mortality in Napoleon Bonapart... more Historical evidence has provided information regarding disease and mortality in Napoleon Bonaparte's Grand Army, but dietary information beyond individual soldier accounts remains scarce. The purpose of this research is to reconstruct the diets of Napoleon's multiethnic army who were associated with the Russian Campaign of 1812. We conducted stable carbon and nitrogen isotope ratio analysis on femoral bone collagen of 78 individuals recovered from a salvage excavation at the mass gravesite of Šiaurės miestelis in Vilnius, Lithuania. These individuals were later discovered to be Napoleonic soldiers and camp followers who participated in the 1812 Russian Campaign. Stable carbon isotope ratios range from -19.2‰ to -11.8‰, with a mean of -17.8‰ ± 1.5‰ (1 σ). Stable nitrogen isotope ratios range from 7.1‰ to 13.6‰, with a mean of 10.5‰ ± 1.4‰ (1 σ). Both δ(13) C and δ(15) N values show a wide range of variation. Stable isotope data indicate considerable dietary variation in this ...

American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council, Jan 23, 2016

This study investigates growth patterns in the scapula and clavicle in a cross-sectional juvenile... more This study investigates growth patterns in the scapula and clavicle in a cross-sectional juvenile skeletal sample ranging from 20 weeks gestation to 8.5 years of age from the Kellis 2 cemetery, Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt. The primary goal is to quantify growth patterns and growth velocities in the scapula and clavicle to better understand the development of the pectoral girdle. A series of low-order polynomial regression models was used to examine growth curves in clavicle diaphyseal length, scapular height, and scapular width. Incremental growth and relative percent increase were examined among successive age groups as a proxy measure of growth velocity. Scapular body proportions were assessed with the scapular index and compared across age groups using a Kruskal-Wallis test with post-hoc tests. A third-order polynomial best describes growth in clavicle diaphyseal length and scapular height, and a second-order polynomial best describes growth in scapular width. Growth velocity patterns a...

International Journal of Paleopathology, 2013

Much can be learned about cultural attitudes of violence towards children from the analyses of th... more Much can be learned about cultural attitudes of violence towards children from the analyses of their skeletal remains and mortuary patterns of the communities in which they lived and died. A bioarchaeological approach integrating biological, socio-cultural, and physical environments is used in analyzing the remains of a 2-3-year-old child from Kellis 2, a Romano-Christian period cemetery in the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt. The skeletal remains of this individual show an unusual pattern of trauma and healing events, possibly indicating multiple episodes of non-accidental trauma. Macroscopic, radiographic, and histologic analyses show the extent of the skeletal trauma and healing, while stable carbon and nitrogen analyses of bone and hair reveal metabolic disturbances and changes in diet correlated with these traumatic events. Results from the differential diagnosis demonstrate that this individual exhibits skeletal fracture and healing patterns consistent with repeated non-accidental trauma, which may or may not have resulted in death. In addition, this individual may also represent the earliest documented case of violence against children from an archaeological context.

RadioGraphics, 2012

As a nondestructive method of historical and anthropologic inquiry, imaging has played an importa... more As a nondestructive method of historical and anthropologic inquiry, imaging has played an important role in mummy studies over the past several decades. Recent technologic advances have made multidetector computed tomography (CT) an especially useful means for deepening the present understanding of ancient cultures by examining preserved human remains. In April 2011, three ancient Egyptian human mummies from the Redpath Museum of McGill University were examined with 320-section multidetector CT as part of the IMPACT Radiological Mummy Database project headquartered at the University of Western Ontario. Whole-body scanning was performed with a section thickness of 0.5 mm and a peak voltage of 120 kVp, and the raw CT datasets were postprocessed by using smooth body and high-resolution bone convolution filters. Two of the mummies were scanned at different energy levels (80 and 135 keV). The high-resolution CT scans revealed the details of mummification and allowed observations about the socioeconomic and health status of the human subjects based on both the mummification technique used and the appearance of the remains, particularly the bones and teeth. The paleopathologic information obtained from the scans confirmed some findings in studies performed in the same mummies in the late 19th and 20th centuries. The CT scans also demonstrated a high degree of variability in Egyptian mortuary practice, variability that is not generally recognized in the literature. Unusual features that were observed included a relatively uncommon retained heart in mummy RM2718, retained lungs in a mummy from which the heart had been extracted (RM2720), and a cartonnage plaque placed over the left abdomen of a mummy that had been eviscerated transperineally (RM2717).

Proceedings of the …, 2008

... P. Beauchesne Ian Colquhoun, University of Western Ontario A. Cross Fred Longstaffe, Universi... more ... P. Beauchesne Ian Colquhoun, University of Western Ontario A. Cross Fred Longstaffe, University of Western Ontario L. Marciano Jessica Metcalfe, University of Western Ontario Andrew J. Nelson, University of Western Ontario A. Pawlowski S. Wheeler Christine D. White ...

Children in Antiquity, 2020

American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 2018

American journal of physical anthropology, May 13, 2017

American journal of human biology : the official journal of the Human Biology Council, Jan 23, 2016

International Journal of Paleopathology, 2013

RadioGraphics, 2012

Proceedings of the …, 2008

Studies on Old …, 2009

KULeuven. ...

American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 2011

A recent trend in stable isotopic analysis involves the reconstruction of short-term variations i... more A recent trend in stable isotopic analysis involves the reconstruction of short-term variations in diet using hair segments. However, bulk hair samples typically contain a growth cycle error, which may conceal or confound the most recently incorporated isotopic information. It is assumed that, at any given time, $85-90% of scalp hairs are actively growing, while the remaining 10-15% have transitioned into a resting or inactive phase, which lasts up to 4 months before hairs are shed. This study uses growth phase to determine the effects of age, sex, and health status on carbon and nitrogen isotopic ratios of hair analyzed in sequential segments. For this study, we selected archaeological hair samples from 10 individuals from Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt. Isotopic analyses of actively growing hair segments were compared to those for mixed growth phase segments from

American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 2013

American Journal of Human Biology, 2014

The purpose of this study is to document the appearance of adult patterns in intralimb indices du... more The purpose of this study is to document the appearance of adult patterns in intralimb indices during ontogeny in a skeletal sample from the Kellis 2 cemetery, Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt. In addition, this study explores evolvability in intralimb indices to understand relative differences in sensitivity to ecogeographic variables. Methods: Brachial and crural indices were compared across age cohorts with Welch's ANOVA tests and post-hoc Dunnett-Tukey-Kramer (DTK) pairwise multiple comparison tests. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were used to examine developmental conservation and evolvability in intralimb proportions. Results: Brachial and crural indices are greatest in the fetus/perinate cohort as compared to all other cohorts, decrease during infancy and early childhood, and increase during middle/late childhood. The adult pattern in the brachial index is first evident in infancy, but is not maintained throughout development. Conversely, the adult pattern in the crural index appears during early childhood and is maintained throughout development. The brachial index shows a higher degree of evolvability than the crural index in utero. Conclusions: The shifting pattern in intralimb proportions during development in the Kellis 2 sample is similar to that previously reported from globally diverse samples, which likely reflects the differential growth acceleration of proximal and distal intralimb skeletal elements during ontogeny. The brachial index may be more responsive to climatic conditions while the crural index may be more conserved due to functional demands. The data indicate that Kellis 2 juveniles were under strong selective pressures from climatic factors. Am.

American Antiquity, 2014

Roffelsen is an early Younge phase mortuary component in southwestern Ontario. The single burial ... more Roffelsen is an early Younge phase mortuary component in southwestern Ontario. The single burial feature is a pit containing the articulated skeletons of seven successively buried individuals, ranging in age from a few months to late middle age. All had been stripped of soft tissues, except for the connecting tissues that maintained their articulation. Most also had a disk cut from the cranium and a hole drilled near bregma. All but the infant display various forms of developmental failure of the outer and middle ear and the petrous portion of the temporal bone. The pit was apparently the burial facility for an extended family with significant hearing impairments. This disability may have limited their interaction with neighboring communities, perhaps even playing a role in their eventual disappearance as a separate community.

Binkowski SURF Poster, 2023

The study of skeletal material at microscopic or macroscopic levels yields information about indi... more The study of skeletal material at microscopic or macroscopic levels yields information about individual and community lives. Analysis of the elemental composition of teeth can provide details regarding diet, toxicity exposure, residency, and migration patterns, which are important areas of interest in archaeology. However, current methods of elemental analysis commonly involve destruction of skeletal samples, which can be extremely detrimental to a collection’s integrity, especially if the entire sample is used. Additionally, these methods can be costly, require intensive specialized training, and can be perceived as disrespectful and intrusive by descendant communities. Recently, handheld (portable) x-ray fluorescence spectrometry (pXRF) has been established as an accurate and reliable method of analysis appropriate for determining the elemental composition of archaeological bone and teeth. In this preliminary study, teeth from 4 individuals from the pre-conquest classic period (AD 625-1100) Maya site of Altun Ha, Belize, were analyzed using pXRF to identify trace elements and to gain a better understanding of the lives of the individuals and community.

Sample %C %N C/N % Collagen NAP-K1 45.40 17.30 2.62

Evidence of metastatic carcinoma is believed to be a rare occurrence in the archaeological record... more Evidence of metastatic carcinoma is believed to be a rare occurrence in the archaeological record and can be overlooked without thorough contextual analysis of remains. When lesions characteristic of metastatic carcinoma are discovered, a differential diagnosis should be conducted to eliminate possible taphonomic effects or other diseases. It is crucial to employ all possible analytical methods, so that an accurate diagnosis may be achieved. However in many instances, analysis is limited to only macro- and/or microscopic methods, making it difficult to determine the type of disease or, more specifically, the type of cancer present. Here we present a comprehensive characteristic assessment with the aim of reaching the most accurate differential diagnosis of cancer possible without the aid of destructive analysis or radiographs. The remains of an adult female from Dayr al-Barshā, Egypt (circa 2660 BC) with extensive lytic lesions were evaluated to identify specific diagnostic traits and develop a stepped methodology for differential diagnosis of metastatic carcinoma in skeletal remains. Variable size and appearance of lesions, prevalence of lesions to appear on certain skeletal elements, and many additional taphonomic and physical factors were considered during analysis. It was determined through these methods that the individual most likely suffered from an advanced stage of breast cancer. Thus, the differentiation of metastatic carcinoma from taphonomic effects and other diseases is possible when the age and sex of the individual are considered in conjunction with a thorough macroscopic and microscopic analysis of the location and appearance of the lesions on the skeleton.

Rapid turnover of bone collagen δ13C and δ15N values in subadults can reveal dietary and physiolo... more Rapid turnover of bone collagen δ13C and δ15N values in subadults can reveal dietary and physiological changes experienced by illuminating chronic stress not apparent as skeletal, pathological lesions. To assess subadult morbidity and mortality in Medieval Alytus, Lithuania, an osteobiographical examination was undertaken of individuals who presented humeral isotopic values ± 2σ from sample and cohort means (-20.02 ± 0.43‰; 11.08 ± 1.22‰). Two infants (0.1-2.9 years) and four juveniles (5-11.9 years) were found to exhibit isotopic values outside of the expected sample mean. Two individuals, 1.5 year-old (-18.8‰, 14.28‰) and 11.5 year-old (-19.46‰, 13.26‰), were ± 2σ from their respective δ13C and δ15N cohort averages. Skeletal analyses do not indicate specific disease processes but all infants exhibit at least two non-specific skeletal markers of chronic, metabolic stress (e.g. periostitis, porotic hyperostosis), likely caused by prolonged weaning resulting in malnourishment. Three of the four juveniles did not present skeletal stressors, indicative of death from an acute disease process during a growth spurt and potentially the onset of puberty. This study contributes to growing literature on metabolic variation in isotopic values and paleopathology of Lithuania.

The ostensibly rapid and dynamic effects of subadult growth and development have been difficult t... more The ostensibly rapid and dynamic effects of subadult growth and development have been difficult to define in stable isotopic reconstructions of bioarchaeological samples although it is known that δ15N and δ13C values can be varyingly affected by metabolic state (e.g. growth and illness) yielding intra-individual variation in values between tissues and, in several cases, regions of the same tissue1-6. Examinations of faster areas of growth (e.g. metaphyses of majority vs. minority growth) for the same bony element have not shown significant variation in isotopic values that could be attributed to a state of growth and concurrent positive nitrogen balance5-6. This study contributes to the ongoing search to identify intra-individual differences and physiological state around time of death by comparing humeral and femoral δ15N and δ13C values for a sample of subadults who lived and died during the Middle Ages in Alytus, Lithuania.

Forensic anthropologists rely on a variety of evidence to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI) ... more Forensic anthropologists rely on a variety of evidence to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI) of a decedent, which includes gross decomposition rates, the life stages of insects, and the degradation of associated material evidence. The degradation of material evidence, in particular, is an underutilized area in estimating PMI. Degraded clothing is a common type of material evidence recovered in association with skeletonized remains that is also modified by taphonomic processes. While previous research has been undertaken regarding how degraded fabric can be used as an indicator of PMI, there is no standard methodology for the research design or standard to quantify the extent of fabric degradation. The purpose of this project was to analyze the degradation of four different fabrics in central Florida and to develop a comprehensive scoring system and descriptive methodology to be used as a replicable standard for scoring fabric degradation. In addition to providing standards for future research, the PMI guidelines developed are applicable to the PMI analysis of forensic cases. Four different types of fabric were placed at three different depths. Fabric swatches were collected at one month intervals for the duration of six months. Macroscopic analysis was utilized to quantify the levels of fabric degradation. Several trends were noted: cotton exhibited the highest level of degradation and the degradation of cotton fabric increased with depth, while all other fabric types demonstrated slightly more degradation on the ground surface than below ground. Swatches of all fabric types that were positioned flat tended to degrade more than those that were positioned crumpled. These trends contribute to the understanding of fabric degradation, which is critical to establishing a long term PMI for skeletal remains and offers a promising area of research for forensic anthropologists to expand their interdisciplinary tool kit and stimulate new areas of research.

Although considered a disease of modern industrial societies, skeletal and soft tissue evidence o... more Although considered a disease of modern industrial societies, skeletal and soft tissue evidence of secondary malignant cancers is becoming more evident in the ancient world. Here we present two cases of advanced metastatic carcinoma from ancient Egypt, both most likely representative of breast cancer that metastasized throughout the skeleton. The first case, from the site of Dayr al Barsha, dates to the 3rd Dynasty period (circa 2660 BC) and may well represent the earliest skeletal evidence for this disease. This individual, an adult female approximately 45 years of age at death, displays multiple characteristic metastatic lesions throughout her skeleton. The second case, from the Kellis 2 cemetery in Dakhleh Oasis dating to the Romano-Christian period (circa 100 to 360 AD), is also an adult female approximately 40 years of age at death and displays similar characteristic metastatic lesions, however, in limited distribution. Given the advanced stage of cancer represented in both cases, we also explore possible pain management strategies used in ancient Egypt.

Several studies have shown that the human body generally conforms to the ecogeographical expectat... more Several studies have shown that the human body generally conforms to the ecogeographical expectations of Bergmann's and Allen's rules; however, recent evidence suggests that these expectations may not hold completely for some populations. Egypt is located at the crossroads of Sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Europe, and the Near East, and gene flow among groups in these regions may confound ecogeographical patterning. In this study, we test the fit of the adult physique of a large sample (N 5 163) of females and males from the Kellis 2 cemetery (Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt) against ecogeographical predictions. Body shape (i.e., body mass relative to stature) was assessed by the femur head diameter to bicondylar femur length index (FHD/ BFL), and brachial and crural indices were calculated to examine intralimb proportions. Body shape in the Kellis 2 sample is not significantly different from high-latitude groups and a Lower Nubian sample, and intralimb proportions are not significantly different from mid-latitude and other low-latitude groups. This study demonstrates the potential uniqueness of body shape and intralimb proportions in an ancient Egyptian sample, and further highlights the complex relationship between ecogeographic patterning and adaptation. Am J Phys Anthropol 153:496-505, 2014.

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to document the appearance of adult patterns in intralim... more Objectives: The purpose of this study is to document the appearance of adult patterns in intralimb indices during ontogeny in a skeletal sample from the Kellis 2 cemetery, Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt. In addition, this study explores evolvability in intralimb indices to understand relative differences in sensitivity to ecogeographic variables.

International …, Jan 1, 2010

The use of surgical techniques in ancient Egyptian medicine has only been suggested indirectly th... more The use of surgical techniques in ancient Egyptian medicine has only been suggested indirectly through ancient medical texts and iconography, and there is no evidence of amputation as a means of therapeutic medical treatment. This paper presents four cases of amputation from the archaeological site of Dayr al-Barsha, Egypt. Two of the cases (dated to the First Intermediate and Middle Kingdom periods, respectively) are from individuals that display bilateral amputations of the feet, one through the metatarso- phalangeal joints, the other a transmetatarsal amputation. The exact reason for the amputation, perhaps from trauma or disease, is unknown. The particular healing patterns of the distal ends of the amputations suggest these individuals used foot binding or prosthetic devices. Another case represents a healed amputation of the left ulna near the elbow, dated to the Old Kingdom. The final case represents a perimortem amputation of the distal end of the right humerus. The exact date of this individual is unknown, but most likely pertains to the Old Kingdom or First Intermediate period. This individual seems to have suffered a traumatic incident shortly before death, sustaining many fractures, including a butterfly fracture on the right humerus. Several cut marks were identified on top of the butterfly fracture, indicating amputation of the arm at this point. All four cases support the hypothesis that the ancient Egyptians did use amputation as a therapeutic medical treatment for particular diseases or trauma.

Practical Diabetes …, Jan 1, 2010

The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus from skeletal remains is very difficult given the complexity o... more The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus from skeletal remains is very difficult given the complexity of the disease and the fact that there are no pathological skeletal characteristics exclusively associated with diabetes mellitus. Skeletal identification of diabetes mellitus may only be possible through differential diagnosis, when several pathological changes are present. Skeletal and dental changes associated with diabetes mellitus include Charcot’s joint (neuropathic arthropathy), osteoporosis, osteoarthritis, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis (DISH, or Forestier’s disease), adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder), dental caries, periodontal disease, and antemortem tooth loss. Skeletal remains of an adult male from the Egyptian archaeological site of Dayr al Barsha, dated to the Middle Kingdom (ca. 2055–1650 BC), display a myriad of pathological conditions that, when considered together, likely indicate diabetes mellitus, specifically type 2 diabetes mellitus. This diagnosis represents the earliest, and possibly the only recorded archaeological skeletal evidence for this disease.

Excavations at the site of Amheida (ancient Trimithis), Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt have identified a Ch... more Excavations at the site of Amheida (ancient Trimithis), Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt have identified a Christian church (Building 7), dated to the 4 century CE. While other 4 century churches have been identified in the Dakhleh Oasis and elsewhere in Egypt, the unexpected discovery of burials and a subterranean crypt distinguishes this church as unique in possibly hosting the earliest known example of a funerary crypt in Egypt. Excavations to date have revealed eight burials, five within the church complex, and three in the crypt. Four of the burials inside the church have been investigated; the remaining ones will be the subject of excavation in future seasons. Little is known about the use of early Christian churches as mortuary complexes, particularly who was allowed to be buried in these buildings and if there was a correlation between social hierarchy of the deceased and proximity of his/her burial to the area of the sanctuary. Here we present our findings on four of the individuals buried within the church. Analyses indicate that two individuals were adult males, one was an adult female, and the other was an approximately 15-17 year-old female. One of the adult males, aged 45 to 50 years at death, displayed a myriad of pathological conditions most likely linked to a major traumatic event. e adult female, aged 30 to 35 years at death, and the other adult male, aged 35 to 40 years of age, both showed few pathological conditions beyond healed fractures. e young female displayed a number of lytic lesions that may have been related to a metastatic cancer. e demographic profile and pathological conditions of these individuals challenge the notion of who might be buried in such a church complex. e combination of archaeological and skeletal evidence allows us to further understand who these individuals were, and how such a complex was used in the 4 century CE.