December 15-19, 2025 - Columbus, OH
COURSE DESCRIPTION
This one-week intensive workshop introduces participants to juvenile osteology. Through lectures and hands-on experience with juvenile skeletal remains, students will learn about the stages of skeletal growth and development, practice fragment identification, and conduct skeletal analyses. The course highlights the applications of juvenile osteology in bioarchaeology, forensic anthropology, and related disciplines, preparing participants to integrate this knowledge into research and professional practice.
DATES
December 15-19, 2025
LOCATION
IRLAB Headquarter
850 Michigan Ave Ste. 100, Columbus, OH 43215
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Participants will learn the proper techniques for cleaning and analyzing juvenile skeletal remains of ages comprised between birth and early adolescence.
SCHEDULE
The program will run Monday through Friday, between 9:00AM and 5:00PM with a short lunch break. Each day of the workshop will include lecture content and a hands-on laboratory activity.
Bone identification and post-field processing of skeletal remains, including cleaning, sorting, and preparing remains for analysis. This foundational day is designed to orient students to the juvenile skeleton and essential lab protocols.
Bone growth and development, with consideration of the biological and environmental factors that shape this process. The lab component will include conducting skeletal inventories and exploring developmental variation.
Skeletal and dental age estimation. Students will learn about different aging methods and apply them to the remains they are working with during the hands-on lab session.
Skeletal health, stress markers, pathology, and trauma in juvenile remains. In the lab, students will record observations of skeletal markers of stress, health, pathology, and trauma in their assigned individuals and interpret findings.
Applications of juvenile osteology within the broader discipline, highlighting how this knowledge contributes to fields such as forensic anthropology, bioarchaeology, and paleopathology. The workshop will conclude with student presentations of the juvenile skeletons they have worked with throughout the week.
ADMISSION PROCEDURE
Interested individuals must submit an application using the form below. Applications must include name, contact information, and a brief statement of interest; if you have a CV, you may upload it as optional supplemental material. Seating in the program is limited and applications are considered on a first-come, first-served basis with successful students being admitted on a rolling basis.
PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
All participants are required to fulfill all program requirements prior to the start of the session in which they are enrolled. Such requirements include submitting a Participation Agreement, as well as becoming student members in IRLAB. The cost of the student membership is $25 and will be added to the program fees.
Staff
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Giuseppe Vercellotti, PhD
INSTRUCTORS
Allyson Simon
Lauren Hayden
Tom Coley
Application form
Dear Applicants,
Please note that places in the program are assigned to successful students on a first come, first served basis; hence, it is advisable that you apply as soon as possible to increase your chances of being admitted.
If you have any questions regarding the program, contact info@irlabnp.org prior to submitting an application form.
Thank you for your interest in our program and good luck!