The Poulton Research Project

Earlier this year we received a request for access to the Poulton skeleton assemblage. The proposal was to support an MSc dissertation by using the mandibles (jaws) to explore "Growth modelling patterns of the mandible via surface histology". This is part of a research project for the Taught Programme in Forensic Anthropology, University of Edinburgh. After carefully reviewing the methods and ethics of the request, the Trustees of the Poulton Project approved the request.

The MSc student, Ms Nicolle Thiemann, BSc, recently came to site to carry out the first stage in the work, taking impressions of the mandibles. This is done by carefully using dental impression material to form a mould. This material is completely inert and harmless to the bone. It does no damage whatsoever and leaves no trace or residue. From the mould, a replica mandible is cast. The replica is coated in a thin film of gold and examined under a scanning electron microscope.

The gallery below records the stages of the work.

^ March 2011: Carefully coating a section of the mandible in the impression material.

^ March 2011: Waiting for the impression material on two partially coated mandibles to set.

^ March 2011: Gingerly removing the impression from the bone.

^ March 2011: Removed and in one piece.