Human Osteology
Our expertise in the analysis of human bone is unsurpassed. Pacific Legacy’s California human osteological program is headed by two of California’s leading experts in human osteology: Dr. Lori Hager and Ms. Lisa Agler Shapiro. These experts have excavated and analyzed thousands of human burials throughout their careers, including historic pioneer cemeteries, 19th century pauper’s graveyards, and prehistoric graves and cemeteries in the path of imminent destruction. Their expertise can provide not only basic information on age, sex, and stature, but insight into the lives of the deceased, such as health, nutrition, status, and occupation. Such information can be gleaned from bone pathologies and condition. Pacific Legacy complies with California State Law, such as Section 5097 of the Public Resources Code and Section 7050.5 of the Health and Safety Code.
Hawaii’s osteological program is designed to meet the State’s Burial Program administrative rules (§13-300), where consultations are held with Native Hawaiians and other interested parties to help ensure that human remains are treated with utmost respect. Most often remains that are encountered are reinterred in the vicinity of where they were originally found. The ultimate disposition of the remains is determined through consultation and approval from island burial councils.
We regard the treatment of human remains as a sensitive matter that we approach solemnly and with the greatest respect. Our work with Native Americans, Native Hawaiians, and other Pacific Islanders has earned us a strong reputation for professionalism, efficiency and care for human remains. As a result we are sought out for the treatment of human remains encountered during land use activities.
