What can studying ancient bones help anthropologists to understand?

Studying ancient bones provides valuable insights into the biological evolution and health of past populations. Bones serve as a physical record of the individuals' lives, revealing crucial information about their diet, health status, and even their environments. For instance, the analysis of bone structure and density can inform anthropologists about the physical activity levels and nutritional health of ancient people, helping to identify periods of stress or disease.

Additionally, bones can show signs of evolutionary adaptations over time, providing clues about how populations adapted to their environments, migrated, or interacted with one another. This information contributes to a deeper understanding of human evolution by illustrating how physical traits may have changed in response to various selective pressures. In contrast, while the study of social structures, languages, and artistic expressions is important, those aspects typically require different types of evidence and methods beyond what the skeletal remains can provide. Thus, the analysis of ancient bones is crucial for grasping the biological and health contexts of historical populations.