Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland

by Sally M. Walker

Published by Carolrhoda, 2009
144 pages
ISBN: 978-0-8225-7135-3

Age 10 and older

Forensic anthropology takes center stage in this fascinating account of work to study the human remains of two Colonial settlements. It turns out old bones often have a lot to say about the lives of the past. Author Sally M. Walker’s explanations of the science of forensic anthroopology is clear and understandable. It’s also infused with excitement and a sense of discovery. Her account focuses on the work of Dr. Douglas Owsley from the Smithsonian, and his study of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century skeletons from the Chesapeake Area. Walker describes the steps undertaken from the initial discovery of a grave, through the fascinating interpretation of the skeleton and any items found with it – an unveiling that might yield information about the person that includes their age, gender, and physical condition, to the type of work they did and foods they ate, to the cause and conditions of their death. From a tone that is always respectful of the subject, to an winning design loaded with well-captioned visual images, this book appeals in in every way. While we wish the index was more complete and consistent, that’s a minor drawback in an otherwise terrific book of information. (MVL) © Cooperative Children's Book Center

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	CCBC Bibliographies & Booklists Charlotte Zolotow Award Book of the Week CCBC Specialized Information CCBC Book Discussions CCBC - Net Awards & Best-of-the-Year Lists Review Journals Written in Bone: Buried Lives of Jamestown and Colonial Maryland by Sally M. Walker Published by Carolrhoda, 2009 144 pages ISBN: 978-0-8225-7135-3 Age 10 and older Forensic anthropology takes center stage in this fascinating account of work to study the human remains of two Colonial settlements. It turns out old bones often have a lot to say about the lives of the past. Author Sally M. Walker’s explanations of the science of forensic anthroopology is clear and understandable. It’s also infused with excitement and a sense of discovery. Her account focuses on the work of Dr. Douglas Owsley from the Smithsonian, and his study of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century skeletons from the Chesapeake Area. Walker describes the steps undertaken from the initial discovery of a grave, through the fascinating interpretation of the skeleton and any items found with it – an unveiling that might yield information about the person that includes their age, gender, and physical condition, to the type of work they did and foods they ate, to the cause and conditions of their death. From a tone that is always respectful of the subject, to an winning design loaded with well-captioned visual images, this book appeals in in every way. While we wish the index was more complete and consistent, that’s a minor drawback in an otherwise terrific book of information. (MVL) © Cooperative Children's Book Center