archaeology
the study of the past based on what people left behind
anthropology
Study of the origins and development of people and their societies
botany
study of plants
curator
A person in charge of a museum
discipline
a branch of knowledge
DNA
deoxyribonucleic acid, a self-replicating material present in nearly all living organisms as the main constituent of chromosomes. It is the carrier of genetic information.
entomology
study of insects
forensic
related to or used in courts of law
geosciences
study a wide range of environmental topics, such as soil erosion, groundwater use, ocean pollution, and climate
radiocarbon dating
Archaeologists use this test to determine the date/age of organic artifacts.
isotope analysis
The study of diet through the chemical signature of bones
successional
communities that are changing in composition.
decomposition
the state or process of rotting; decay.
pupae
stage of metamorphosis in which an insect changes from a larva into an adult (butterfly chrysalis)
larvae
the active immature form of an insect, especially one that differs greatly from the adult and forms the stage between egg and pupa, e.g., a caterpillar or grub.
instar
stage between molts
maggot
An insect larva; especially flies.
ecosystem
A biological community of interacting organisms and their physical environment.
expert witness
a person who is permitted to testify at a trial because of special knowledge or proficiency in a particular field that is relevant to the case.
forensic botanist
an expert in the plant sciences who is involved in interpreting criminal evidence involving plant parts
human remains
The body of a deceased person, or part of a body or limb that has been removed from a living person, including the body, part of a body or limb in any stage of decomposition.
mass fatality
an incident involving more dead bodies and/or body parts than can be located, identified, and processed for final disposition by available response resources
natural disaster
great destruction or loss of life caused by natural forces rather than by human actions
postmortem
after death
mass graves
People dug these to bury large numbers of bodies during conflicts.
provenience
the place of origin for archaeological materials, including location, association, and context
in situ
in its original place
stratigraphy
the study of rock layers and the sequence of events they reflect