The clarity and reliability of research of the historical evidence are particularly important for the understanding of the human past because, with the knowledge of nations’ heritage, they can build informed future decisions. In this regard, combat archeology provides a significant amount of data about the specific features of battles, their participants, the development of events, and the truth about the past. In particular, osteology, as a study on the verge of anatomy and paleontology, provides scholars and archeologists with an invaluable pool of scientific validity that clarifies the history.
Since osteology allows archeologists to obtain epistemological information about human bodies and their state in the battles, such evidence is particularly informative in terms of cultural and historical value. In particular, osteological investigations unveil the character of bodily changes or distractions, which informs about the type of weapon used and the manner of using it. Such facts contribute to the body of scientific knowledge about a particular period in history. For example, as stated by Hermann et al. (2020), osteological evidence demonstrates the location and character of wounds of warriors on the battlefields, which characterizes the art of combat and the cultural-historical particularities of the weapon or shielding used. In particular, it is commonly assumed in historical studies that “prehistoric sword fighters would mainly have targeted the chest” (Hermann et al., 2020, p. 1068). However, osteological findings indicate that “the skull and pelvis were hit more often than the chest” (Hermann et al., 2020, p. 1068). Thus, osteology is a science that sustains its relevance and value since it might open new perspectives on the research of the history of combat.
Furthermore, osteology in combat archeology plays a cultural exploration role. Indeed, according to Mann et al. (2021), skeletal remains inform us about the cultural particularities of the historical time and the specific features of human interaction. Indeed, the information in the skeletal remains might demonstrate how people cured wounds and what trauma was particularly characteristic in a particular region at a given historical period. It is even more relevant in the contemporary scientific setting when technological advancement allows for analyzing large volumes of data and creating simulations that contribute to the accuracy of scientific findings. Thus, archeologists and historians might use osteological findings to their benefit to construct holistic and evidence-based theoretical claims about the history of battles and nation formation.
In summation, osteology is an invaluable source of scientific evidence that provides accurate data to the field of combat archeology. On the one hand, it allows for establishing the particularities of the weaponry and character of battling and thus informs the artistic and historical features of a given group at a given time. On the other hand, the characteristics of wounds and overall skeletal remains inform archeologists about cultural implications. Thus, osteology plays a decisive role in combat archeology, shaping and polishing human knowledge about the past.
Reference List
Hermann, R., et al. (2020) ‘Bronze age swordsmanship: new insights from experiments and wear analysis’, Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 27(4), pp.1040-1083.
Lo, P., et al. (2019) ‘Visualising and revitalizing traditional Chinese martial arts: visitors’ engagement and learning experience at the 300 years of Hakka Kungfu’, Library Hi Tech, 37(2), pp.269-288.
Mann, R.W. et al. (2021) ‘The importance of human osteological collections: Our past, present, and future’, Forensic Science International, 325, pp.1-9.
Ruiz, J.A.M. and Carretero, J.R.G. (2018) ‘Greek Armament from the South of the Iberian Peninsula during the 1st Millennium BC’, Athens Journal of History, 4(4), pp.279-294.
Westphalen, N. (2020) ‘Viking warfare, ships and medicine’, Journal of Military and Veterans Health, 28(4), pp.16-27.
Yallop, H. (2020) ‘The sword exercises of the British cavalry: 1796-1858’, Acta Periodica Duellatorum, 8(1), pp.123-156.