My research investigates mortuary traditions of the south England Beaker population using an interdisciplinary approach of both qualitative and quantitative assessments. A south England skeletal assemblage of approxomately 60 Beaker graves were subject to intensive osteological, contextual and micro-taphonomic assessment using: (i) contextual and depositional data in publications and site records; (ii) biometric data (age, sex, trauma/pathology) derived from publications and examinations of skeletal material; (iii) quantification of diagenetic data based on MCT scans of bone samples, using the Oxford Histological Index (Hedges et al.1995).

The aims of the study are to: 1.) assess the southern England population for evidence of excarnation/mummification; 2.) assess the different types of burials appli­­ed, including multi-burial, primary, and secondary burial; 3.) assess the human handling of the corpse postmortem (burial position, dismemberment, secondary disarticulation); 4.) assess the funerary offerings included in the grave; and 5.) asses grave architecture. 

These aims are designed to address three primary research questions. First, what are the funerary customs of the south England Beaker population? Specifically for differences of diagenesis between age groups, differences of diagenesis between biological sex groups, differences of diagenesis between primary/primary undisturbed and secondary/secondary disturbed burials, differences between individuals with visible pathology or trauma and intact skeletons, and differences between individuals with grave goods and those without. Secondly, how much of the population was subjected to postmortem manipulation? Third, to identify indications of mummification/excarnation in the southern England population.

Analyses of these parameters will address: 1) social treatments based on age or sex; 2) the prevalence and types of post-mortem treatments in an unstudied population; 3) the demonstration of the applicability of MCT during the investigation of rare/fragile materials. Such an analysis collectively informs on  the different phases of the mortuary process, (i) pre-burial, (ii) the burial event, and (iii) what happens to the grave post-deposition; 4.) contribute to growing body of taphonomic research on human bone microstructure for applications as evidence in forensic and physical anthropology to determine the postmortem history of a corpse.

This study will significantly contribute to what is understood about the funerary and mortuary archaeology of the British Beaker people and to the growing body of taphonomic research on human bone microstructure for applications as evidence in forensic and physical anthropology to determine the postmortem history of a corpse.