Forensic Archaeology Definition

Thinking Man

Forensic archaeology, a forensic science, is the application of archaeological principles, techniques and methodologies in a legal context.

An expanding branch of archaeological investigation in which the methods and approaches of archaeology are applied to legal problems and in connection with the work of courts of law.

Most commonly this involves the reconstruction of a chronology and sequence of events from the deposits found within and around graves and burial sites for homicide cases and investigations into the violation of human rights.

(The definition of Forensic Archaeology according to “The Oxford Dictionary of Archaeology“)

See our full glossary of forensic terms here.