An Analysis of Human Skeletal Remains from two Middle Bronze Age Tombs from Jericho

Abstract

Hundreds of tombs have been excavated at Jericho yet publications of the osteological findings remain minimal. This paper presents the results of osteological analyses of two Middle Bronze Age tomb groups from Jericho currently curated by the Nicholson Museum, University of Sydney. Following a brief description of the burial practices implemented during the Middle Bronze age at Jericho, the excavation and subsequent curation of the human remains are outlined. The impact of burial practices and post-excavation treatment of the remains on skeletal preservation is discussed. While assessment of the remains is limited due to relatively poor preservation, evidence of joint disease, neoplastic disease and oral pathologies are noted. The findings augment our current understanding of people's health in the past at Jericho.