"Discover Archaeology" Interactive Bone Display
ASBC Nanaimo 4th Annual:
“The Dead Do Tell Tales”
On August 13, 2005 the Archaeological Society of BC – Nanaimo Branch and the Nanaimo District Museum presented the Third Annual “Discover Archaeology” Interactive Bones Display at the Nanaimo District Museum. Turnout was small this year, due to the large scale demolition of buildings in Nanaimo’s downtown core, but we did manage to entertain and educate a number of adults and children.
This year’s theme was “The Dead Do Tell Tales”, focusing on Forensics and Archaeology. We looked at how archaeological techniques and knowledge can be combined with forensics to tell us more about the past. Nadine Simpson, our valuable Executive Member and resident biologist, displayed her work with parasites, highlighting lice in particular. The maggots really were a hit! Specimens for the University of Calgary, Simon Fraser University, Malaspina University College, and the University of Victoria illustrated such things as osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis, bone breakage and subsequent healing, as well as infections such as lumpy jaw. Most specimens were non-human, showing that some diseases, such as Osteoarthritis, occur in all mammals and are not just a human malady. We did have one real human partial skeleton, which illustrated a number of pathologies.
In addition to all the bones, we had our usual area for making stone and bone tools. This was a hit with the children (and some adults) that did come to the display. Here are some photos from the event:
I would like to thank the wonderful volunteers who helped out with this event. Without them these activities could not be done: Nadine Simpson, Colleen Parsley and Jasper Kehoe-Parsley, Daphne Paterson, Natalie Michaud, Cecilia Fuentes Hansen, Charlene Riches, and Robbee Salvati.
We are already planning our next year’s theme, which may be “Experimental Archaeology”. Hope to see you there!
~~Julie Cowie, Acting President and NDM display coordinator