Thesis abstract: Recognising Physical Child Abuse in Antiquity: A Palaeopathological Approach

School of Social Sciences, University of Queensland

A study was conducted to establish the optimal means of inferring physical abuse from immature skeletal reamins in past populations. Skeletal trauma commonly associated with physical abuse was examined in light of the socio-cultural and archaeological context of subadult remains. The varied perceptions of child maltreatment and abuse were explored in agricultural Indian settings to illustrate the complexity of deconstructing societal views concerning child abuse. The quantitative and qualitative analysis of subadult skeletal trauma and cultural perspectives of child abuse determined that the most useful means of interpreting skeletal trauma was through a palaeopathological guide. The research emphasises the significance of applying multidisciplinary strategies for a balanced and consistent interpretation of trauma in skeletal remains recovered from archaeological excavations. An holistic construal of skeletal pathologies in ancient remains is important for understanding human actions of the past.