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Environmental and biological correlates of femoro-acetabular impingement in past populations
Project Description
This research will investigate the prevalence and biological and behavioural correlates of femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI) in archaeological populations from the UK representing different environmental circumstances. FAI is caused by extra bone formation at the joint between the femur and hip bone. It can restrict rotation of the femoral head within the acetabulum leading to friction and damage to joint surfaces, pain and loss of mobility. Clinically, FAI is most common in athletes, but causes are unclear. FAI will be diagnosed from skeletal observations and 3D shape analysis of bone surfaces and evaluated in relation to femur and pelvis shape and size, age at death and skeletal measures of activity. CT scans will be used to observe internal manifestations of FAI and variation in bone strength from cortical and trabecular bone properties. The study will employ Norse, medieval and early modern archaeological collections representing diverse environments and activity patterns.
This project employs archaeological human skeletons as a diagnostic tool for the interpretation of activity patterns and functional adaptation. Research on earlier populations can provide a unique perspective the interface between environmental circumstances and activity and health in the past, with implications for the present and the future.
Research themes
Project Specific Training
The student will be part of two active research groups – The Centre for Human Evolution Research (CHER) at the Natural History Museum and the Palaeoanthropology and Comparative Anatomy (PACA) Research Lab in the Anthropology Department at UCL– and will have the opportunity to attend seminars and research meetings in those groups. The student will receive training in standard methods in human osteological analysis: ethical considerations, appropriate handling of human skeletal remains, identification of bones, evaluation of pathological signs, estimation of age at death, biological sex, stature and body mass. They will receive training in and help develop more advanced analytical approaches including surface laser scanning, 3D model reconstructions of bones from CT scans, quantification of cross-sectional geometry of bones and surface morphology, calculations of bicondylar and femoral neck angles, and statistical analysis including shape analysis through geometric morphometrics. They will receive training in advanced statistical analysis in the software R at the Natural History Museum and UCL. They will be expected to present at national (year 2) and international conference (year 3) and will participate in annual student conferences at the Natural History Museum.
Potential Career Trajectory
This project will provide a strong foundation in skeletal biology and advanced analytical techniques. It will provide a solid foundation for an academic career in bioarchaeology, anatomy, palaeoanthropology, palaeontology, and related fields. It will also provide a strong basis for careers requiring specialised data management and analytical skills, including in government, industry and the health sector.
Project supervisor/s
Louise Humphrey
Research department, Science Group
NHM
l.humphrey@nhm.ac.uk
Supervision balance
50:50