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Vampires in VeniceThis video shows a bridge between popular media and scientific study. Forensic archaeologists are involved in locating, excavating, and the documenting of burials of bodies that are suspected to be connected to vampires. The National Geographic Channel and the scientists featured in this program are attempting to show that scientific inquiry may leave unexplained gaps that could mean supernatural activities occurred. The show likely explains the study of human bones, or bioarchaeology, combined with historians' opinions and comparison of literature experts in order to make a conclusion about what occurred.
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BonesThe popular TV series "Bones" is one of the main reasons that forensic archaeology has gotten attention in recent years. The shows centers around Dr. Brennan, a forensic expert, who specializes in bioarchaeology, and FBI agent Booth. The two work together to solve both old and new murder cases, by studying crime scenes, using analysis in the lab, and questioning suspects and witnesses. This clip opens with a scene in which Dr Brennan is observing a human skeleton at a crime scene. Based on her brief view of the body, Brennan states the sex, approximate age, and cause of death of the victim. While experts in the field probably don't come to such conclusions this quickly, the show does give an idea of what characteristics are used to classify age, gender, and cause of death.
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Construction Site "Dig"Last week construction workers in Houston, Texas found human bones as they cleared the remains of an old apartment building. The bones were found buried under about a foot of dirt that was then covered with cement when the apartment was built about 35 years ago. Initial investigation of the bones by forensic archaeologists indicates that the bones could be older than when the apartment was built, based on the color of the bones. The area surrounding the construction site has been known to contain old burial grounds, but investigators don't believe this to be one of those sites. Forensic archaeologists have examined the area to be sure there is no more buried evidence, especially no more human remains to be found. A partial scull, nose, leg, and rib bones were found and were buried in a way that examiners do not believe could be the result of an accident. According to Chron.com, the bones will be analyzed for DNA, as the main goal is to determine who the victim was.
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Bones Under RochesterAt the end of June 2012, bones of unknown origin were found as crews began working to renovate the main street in Rochester, Michigan. Once the bones were found, State of Michigan archaeologists were contacted and took the bones for closer examination. When the bones were taken, it was not known whether these bones were human or animal, but recently a newspaper article from 1899 was found and posted by a local blogger that states bones were discovered in 1899 during renovations to a store cellar at about the same location. This could mean the existence of an Indian burial ground. The first step is for these remains to be analyzed to determine whether the bones are even human.
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Videos taken from YouTube.com: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSCiuXDDknw&feature=player_embedded and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB3pSDGyPRE&feature=player_embedded
Articles taken from:
Hassan, Anita. (August 3, 2012) "At construction site, forensic team searches for human remains." Chron.com, accessed August 4, 2012 at http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/At-construction-
site-forensic-team-searches-for-3758817.php#photo-3276534.
Bull, Kristin. (August 5, 2012) "Bones Found Under Rochester's Main Street are in State Archaeologists' Care." RochesterHillsPatch, accessed August 6, 2012 at
http://rochester.patch.com/articles/city-could-learn-more-this-week-about-bones-discovered-under-main-street.