Mobility and movement are central to human evolution. Human history has been marked by mobility and migration events, from early humans to the modern migration crisis. The nature of this mobility ranges from micromobilities, mobilities of everyday life, to seasonal mobilities, such as in transhumance, and occasional large-scale movements. The broad social, economic, and political underpinnings of mobility are diverse and not always known. However, human mobility has always had a great influence on the spreading of cultural, social, and technological ideas. Consequently, within archaeology this has typically been studied using artefactual evidence and material culture.

Bones and teeth present a multifaceted array of data from which mobility can be reconstructed. The dynamic nature of bone means that it provides a record of life conditions, health and lifestyle. This can be studied on a range of different scales, from the individual, to the community and regional levels. Human remains, therefore, provide a great tool to understand human experience in the past and the impact of transitions such as mobility.

Macroscopically, biomechanical analysis offers an insight into the interaction between the human body and the environment. Microscopically, mobility can be understood using biogeochemistry, in the form of stable isotopes, and biomolecules, such as ancient DNA.

This session aims to discuss methodological approaches to the stiudy of human mobility, particularly its interplay with the human body. We also welcome research that integrates bioarchaeological data with other methodological approaches, including but not limited to computational and climatic modelling.

 

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