ABSTRACT
In the laboratory, human remains must always be treated with care and respect. Basic analysis of the skeleton includes the identification of the elements, documenting their metric and nonmetric traits, determining how many individuals are represented, and describing any pathologies or traumas. If possible, the age, sex (and gender if possible), stature, and ancestry are estimated. Preserved tissues (bone, flesh, hair) are examined for evidence of disease (pathologies), trauma, modification, and other information such as nutrition, drug use, environmental conditions, diet, health, and social status. If possible the individual is dated so as to place them within a cultural context.
