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Paleodemography: Methods and Recent Advances

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Encyclopedia of Geoarchaeology

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series ((EESS))

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Synonyms

Bioarchaeology; Evolutionary history; Human population history

Definition

Paleodemography refers to the description and explanation of biological adaptations, mortality, fertility, and migratory patterns of prehistoric populations, within the explanatory framework of evolutionary theory. Traditionally, paleodemography relied on morphological studies of bioarchaeological (bone material) evidence, although in recent years it has also been based on DNA and stable isotope evidence as well.

Introduction

Paleodemography is concerned with the impact of cultural and environmental change on the lives of past peoples. Once the preserve of paleontologists, anthropologists, and archaeologists, it now attracts biologists, geneticists, bioinformaticians, and chemists with fresh methods and perspectives that have made this field an exciting multidisciplinary endeavor. Knowledge of past human populations traditionally came from studying human osteological remains from archaeological contexts....

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Social Studies, University of Winchester, Sparkford Road, Winchester, SO22 4NR, UK

    Maru Mormina

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  1. Maru Mormina
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Correspondence to Maru Mormina .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Fordham University, Bronx, NY, USA

    Allan S. Gilbert

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Mormina, M. (2017). Paleodemography: Methods and Recent Advances. In: Gilbert, A.S. (eds) Encyclopedia of Geoarchaeology. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-4409-0_51

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