Researcher Requests

Please submit all research request paperwork to adenning@unm.edu

The Maxwell Museum’s Laboratory of Human Osteology, also known as OsteoLab, is a specialized facility that focuses on various aspects of biological anthropology. We serve as a dedicated repository of human remains, including prehistoric, documented, and forensic remains. Our team of experts is passionate about their work and committed to advancing the field of biological anthropology. We pride ourselves on providing high-quality services and expertise to our clients. Our goal is to facilitate research and education in the field of human osteology and contribute to a better understanding of human history and evolution.

Note on accessibility: we are located in an historic building and our collection storage is accessible via a spiral staircase. If you require any assistance or accommodations, please let the Collections Manager know.

Research Request Form

Destructive Analysis Form

Research Policy Agreement

Research Photography Form

If you have previously conducted research at the OsteoLab and have not submitted your data, results, or publications (as per the Research Policy Agreement), please contact adenning@unm.edu.

The OsteoLab can provide the following equipment on-site for researchers:

HDI Advance Structured Light 3D Scanner

DinoLite digital microscope

Microscribe

Digital Calipers and input tools

Sliding calipers, osteometric boards, mandibulometer, dental calipers

Publications

*Publications that include research on Native American remains were published prior to the recent Human Remains Policy. These publications reference permissions given by Tribal, State, and Federal agencies.

Noldner, L. K., & Edgar, H. J. (2013). 3D representation and analysis of enthesis morphology. American journal of physical anthropology, 152(3), 417-424.

Komar, D. A., & Grivas, C. (2008). Manufactured populations: what do contemporary reference skeletal collections represent? A comparative study using the Maxwell Museum documented collection. American Journal of Physical Anthropology: The Official Publication of the American Association of Physical Anthropologists, 137(2), 224-233.

Byers, S., Akoshima, K., & Curran, B. (1989). Determination of adult stature from metatarsal length. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 79(3), 275-279.

Akins, N. J. (1986). A biocultural approach to human burials from Chaco Canyon, New Mexico (Vol. 9). Branch of Cultural Research, US Department of the Interior, National Park Service.

Edgar, H. J., & Rautman, A. L. (2014). Contemporary museum policies and the ethics of accepting human remains. Curator: The Museum Journal, 57(2), 237-247.

Velemínská, J., Krajíček, V., Dupej, J., Goméz‐Valdés, J. A., Velemínský, P., Šefčáková, A., ... & Brůžek, J. (2013). Geometric morphometrics and sexual dimorphism of the greater sciatic notch in adults from two skeletal collections: The accuracy and reliability of sex classification. American Journal of Physical Anthropology, 152(4), 558-565.

336

Donated skeletal individuals

(as of July 2023)

40%:59%

Ratio of females to males represented

Average age at death. Our collection skews heavily towards older individuals

84%

Percent of individuals identifying as White. The remaining individuals identified as Black, Hispanic (non-white), and Native American.