Introduction to Basic Bone Identification

Let Paul Martin share with you the knowledge that he and other anthropologists use to identify bones as human or non-human. Participants will learn how anthropologist identify markers for sex, ancestry, age, and disease. Field photography will also be covered regarding scale and differing views for potential remote identification by trained anthropologist. This course is two parts, with each part being recorded, Part 1 is February 28th and Part 2 is February 29th. Class will start at 7:00 PM and go until 9:00 PM each night. 

The cost of this course is $50. 

Participants will receive handouts, a suggested reading list/field manual, and will have access to the recording for 60 days!

Taking this class will not qualify an individual to make the final determination of human vs non-human of bone origin. This skill is acquired through years of education, mentoring, and hands on experience with bones.

Paul S. Martin, MA, RPA, has a unique perspective as a handler with 25+ years experience and as anthropologist that has conducted research the human decomposition facility at Western Carolina University. He has a BS in Anthropology from Western Carolina University and Founded and Directed the Cadaver Dog Traininig Program there from 2011 to 2017. At the University of Mississippi he completed his MA in Anthropology focusing on the detection of toddler sized burials with shallow surface geophysics. And completed all required coursework for his PhD in Earth Sciences with a concentration in Archaeological Geophysics from the University of Memphis where his dissertation research focused on mapping of enslaved cemeteries with HRD Canines and Shallow Surface Geophysics. 

He is a Registered Professional Archaeologist (RPA) and is the Founder and President of Martin Archaeology Consulting, LLC that focuses on archaeological geophysics and human remains detection dogs. He is currently working his sixth dog K9 Abby, a female chocolate lab trained in archaeological human remains detection.