Paleohistology and Archaeology: New Perspectives on Insular Adaptation and Life History

Pauline Basilia

Bone histology applied to fossil remains provides critical insights into vertebrate biology, including life history trajectories and skeletal age estimation. Despite its demonstrated utility in palaeontology, histological analysis remains underutilised in zooarchaeological research. This paper reviews recent methodological and interpretive advances in palaeohistology derived from palaeontological contexts. It further presents a case study illustrating how bone histology can elucidate patterns of insular adaptation in Pleistocene proboscideans, with broader implications for understanding comparable adaptive responses in human populations occupying island environments. Finally, the paper assesses the potential for integrating histological approaches into archaeozoological analyses and outlines directions for future research.