The mistreatment of children through the lens of neglect and abuse: how can bioarchaeology better approach these issues?

This project will offer a critical perspective on the nature of child abuse in the past. By taking an interdisciplinary approach to assess how physical abuse can be identified, it will fundamentally question how bioarchaeologists can better understand the mistreatment of children. An archaeological case study from post-medieval (1500-1900 A.D.) England will be presented to assess the potential of a novel approach that combines historical, archaeological, psychological, sociological, radiological and bioengineering data together with medical and osteological evidence to illuminate the hidden experiences of society's most vulnerable members.