The aim of the International Journal of Osteoarchaeology is to provide a forum for the publication of papers dealing with all aspects of the study of human and animal bones from archaeological contexts. The journal will publish original papers dealing with human or animal bone research from any area of the world. It will also publish short papers which give important preliminary observations from work in progress and it will publish book reviews. All papers will be subject to peer review.

Papers from any of the following principal areas of work would be considered for publication.

Palaeopathology: Human and animal diseases as found in actual human and animal remains, including radiographic, histological and serological and immunological studies.

Physical anthropology: Ageing, sexing, metric and morphological analysis of human and animal bone. The application of demographic analyses to both.

Epidemiology: Prevalence and aetiology of disease and the factors influencing these in human and animal populations. Secular trends.

Chemical analysis: Exposure of past populations to toxic substances; reconstruction of the diet and other nutritional studies of human and animal bones.

Exploitation of animal resources: Studies of the means of procuring and managing animal food sources including hunting, butchery and domestication.

Taphonomy: Processes, both natural and man-made, which affect the preservation and survival of bone.

The journal will be aimed principally towards all those with a professional interest in the study of human and animal bones. This includes archaeologists, anthropologists, human and animal bone specialists, palaeopathologists and medical historians. We also hope to attract and encourage students and others for whom this field is of serious but peripheral interest.