The Field Companion. This is essentially the "lite" version of the textbook above.
The Data Dictionary. Published by the Arkansas Archeological Survey, this is the standard protocol for recording skeletal data in the US.
The most basic skill in osteology is identifying a bone fragment. However, the real skill lies in siding—determining if a bone belongs to the left or right side of the body. Look for PDF guides that focus on "osteometric landmarks" (bumps and grooves) to help you distinguish left from right, particularly in the tibia, fibula, and hand bones. human osteologypdf top
Human osteology is the scientific study of human skeleton, including bone development, structure, function, and identification. It is fundamental to biological anthropology, forensic science, and archaeology.
Even the best PDF cannot do everything. Some are weak on dental anatomy; others ignore taphonomy (post-mortem damage). You need a library of 3-5 PDFs. The Field Companion
In 2019, a CRM (Cultural Resource Management) crew in Nevada uncovered a historic cemetery dating to the 1880s. They had no cell service and limited library access. The lead bioarchaeologist had loaded Buikstra & Ubelaker (1994) as a PDF onto a ruggedized tablet.
Using the pubic symphysis phase charts (pages 21-24) and the auricular surface change standards, the team accurately aged 12 individuals in the field, differentiating between a construction accident and a smallpox epidemic. Without that PDF, the remains would have been bagged as "unknown" and lost context. Published by the Arkansas Archeological Survey, this is
This is the power of the human osteology pdf top—it turns a tablet into a lab.
While largely replaced by Byers’ textbook, the older FBI PDFs are still available via .gov archives. They are exceptional for learning the biological profile (ancestry, sex, age, stature) with a law enforcement focus.