Análises destrutivas de remanescentes ósseos/odontológicos humanos e salvaguarda digital

Abstract

DNA, stable isotope and histological analyses have provided critical data for understanding our past population history, diet, mobility and funerary behaviour. Notwithstanding, such techniques are destructive, cause irreparable loss of specimens and preclude further analyses. Although the relevance of those approaches is unquestionable, their destructive consequences should be mitigated. To that end, sampled specimens should be digitized to ensure preservation of morphological information and online repositories can be used to enable access to such digitizations. Furthermore, digital models enable the use of other detailed digital analyses that enhance our understanding of, e.g., population history and mechanical function. Thus, it is proposed that a digital safeguard protocol is created and implemented to mitigate the consequences of destructive sampling.