Dr Kirsty Squires

Associate Professor

Health, Education, Policing and Sciences

I am an Associate Professor of Bioarchaeology and I primarily teach in the areas of human osteology and statistical methods. Since finishing my doctoral research at the University of Sheffield in 2012, I have worked in commercial archaeology as both a field worker and an osteoarchaeologist. During this period, I also worked on a number of field schools that involved teaching students how to excavate and record archaeological skeletal remains. Alongside my work in the field, I acted as a temporary Lecturer in Archaeology at the University of Nottingham from 2013-2014.

My research focuses on the analysis of cremated human bone and what it can tell us about burning conditions from both archaeological and forensic contexts. I am particularly interested in applying scientific methods that are more commonly used in other disciplines to answer archaeological questions, especially those pertaining to identity in the past and funerary rites. My current research focuses upon the juvenile mummies in the Capuchin Catacombs (Palermo, Sicily), the development of methods used to analyse and interpret burned human bone, early medieval cremation, children living and working in 19th century Staffordshire, and the ethical challenges within bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology around the world.

Professional memberships and activities

Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Affiliate of the Chartered Institute for Archaeologists
Member of The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences
Student Development and Outreach Officer of the Society for the Study of Childhood in the Past
Research Associate of the Observatory for the Mummified Heritage of Sicily
Member of the American Association of Biological Anthropologists

Academic qualifications

MA Education (distinction) – Staffordshire University 2017
PhD Archaeology: ‘An osteological analysis and social investigation of the cremation rite at the cemeteries of Elsham and Cleatham, North Lincolnshire’ – University of Sheffield 2012 (funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council)
MSc Human Osteology and Funerary Archaeology (distinction) – University of Sheffield 2008 (funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council)
BSc (Hons) Archaeology (1st class) – University of Nottingham 2007

Research interests

All aspects of forensic anthropology and bioarchaeology, particularly the analysis and interpretation of burned bone
Ethical issues in bioarchaeology and forensic anthropology
Archaeology of childhood
Mummy studies
The integration of scientific methods and cultural analyses
Funerary archaeology
Early medieval archaeology
Dark tourism

Current research projects

The health, development and social identity of children afforded mummification in the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo, Sicily (AHRC Funded Project: AH/V014331/1). https://juvenilemummyproject.wixsite.com/palermo

Teaching

Undergraduate

Introduction to Forensic Biology
Introduction to Forensic Scientific Techniques
Crime Scene Processing
Forensic Anthropology in the 21^st Century (module leader)
Techniques in the Identification of Human Remains (module leader)
Independent Research Project

Postgraduate (Taught)

- Specialist Topics (Wildlife Crime)
- Independent Research Project (module leader)

Postgraduate supervision

Current PhD students

Esme Hookway: Understanding the Presence of Children in Medieval Hospitals through the Archaeological and Historical Records
Jessica Gill: The Detection of Decomposition Volatile Organic Compounds from Porcine Remains Encased in Concrete.

Publications

Publications

Squires, K., Roberts, C.A., Sardi, M.L. and Márquez-Grant, N. 2022. Ética, Bioarqueología y Publicaciones Científicas: Un Estudio de Caso. RUNA, Archivo Para Las Ciencias Del Hombre 43 (2): 245-263. doi: 10.34096/runa.v43i2.10794

Squires, K. 2022. What archaeology can tell us about the lives of children in England 1,500 years ago. The Conversation. 9 February. Available at: https://theconversation.com/what-archaeology-can-tell-us-about-the-lives-of-children-in-england-1-500-years-ago-171896

Squires, K., Hookway, E. and Márquez-Grant, N. 2022. Don’t Forget the Children! The Consequences of Natural Disasters and Epidemics on Childhood Health and Mortality in the Past. Children in the Past: An International Journal. doi: 10.1080/17585716.2022.2036299

Squires, K. and Piombino-Mascali, D. 2022. Ethical Considerations Associated with the Display and Analysis of Juvenile Mummies from the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo, Sicily. Public Archaeology: 1-22. doi: 10.1080/14655187.2021.2024742

Squires, K., Roberts, C. A. and Márquez-Grant, N. 2022. Ethical considerations and publishing in human bioarcheology. American Journal of Biological Anthropology 177 (4): 615-619. doi: 10.1002/ajpa.24467

Squires, K. and Garcia-Mancuso, R. 2021 Desafíos éticos asociados al estudio y tratamiento de restos humanos en las ciencias antropológicas en el siglo XXI. Revista Argentina de Antropologia Biologica 23 (2): 1-22. doi 10:24215/18536387/eo34

Carroll, E. and Squires, K. E. 2020. The application of quantitative petrography and macroscopic colour change in a comparative analysis of Roman and Anglo-Saxon cremation practices. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. https://doi.org/10.1002/oa.2918

Carroll, E. and Squires, K. E. 2020. Burning by numbers: The use of quantitative petrography in the analysis of Heat-Induced alteration in burned bone. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology 30 (3): 1-9. https://doi.org/10.1002/oa.2902

Hookway, E. and Squires, K. 2020. A biocultural approach to understanding the presence of children from medieval hospitals in England: What can we learn from archaeological investigations? Children in the Past: An International Journal 13 (1), 38-59.

Squires, K. 2020. All work and no play? The well-being of children living and working in nineteenth century Staffordshire, UK. Children in the Past: An International Journal 13 (1), 60-77.

Silika, K. and Squires, K. 2019. Ethical Issues of Working with Human Remains in Zimbabwe. In: K. E. Squires, D. Errickson and N. Márquez-Grant (eds.) Ethical Approaches to Human Remains: A Global Challenge in Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology. Cham: Springer.

Squires, K. Without a Trace? Treatment of Children in Life and Death in the Anglo-Saxon Period (5^th – 11^th century). In: N. J. Miller and D. Purkiss (eds.) Literary Cultures and Medieval/ Early Modern Childhoods. Basingstoke: Palgrave.

Squires, K. 2019. Commentary: Playing Vikings, militarism, hegemonic masculinities, and childhood enculturation in Viking-Age Scandinavia. Current Anthropology 60 (6). https://doi.org/10.1086/706608

Squires, K., Booth, T. and Roberts, C. 2019. Sampling Human Remains and Destructive Analysis: A UK Perspective. In: K. E. Squires, D. Errickson and N. Márquez-Grant (eds.) Ethical Approaches to Human Remains: A Global Challenge in Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology. Cham: Springer.

Squires, K., Errickson, D., and Márquez-Grant, N. (eds.) 2019. Ethical Approaches to Human Remains: A Global Challenge in Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology. Cham: Springer.

Squires, K., Errickson, D. and Márquez-Grant, N. (eds.) 2019. Introduction. In: K. E. Squires, D. Errickson and N. Márquez-Grant (eds.) Ethical Approaches to Human Remains: A Global Challenge in Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology. Cham: Springer.

Squires, K., Errickson, D. and Márquez-Grant, N. (eds.) 2019. Concluding Remarks. In: K. E. Squires, D. Errickson and N. Márquez-Grant (eds.) Ethical Approaches to Human Remains: A Global Challenge in Bioarchaeology and Forensic Anthropology. Cham: Springer.

Squires, K. E. 2018. Review: Children, Death and Burial: Archaeological Discourses. Childhood in the Past: An International Journal 11 (1), 57-58.

Squires, K. E. 2017. Come rain or shine? The social implications of seasonality and weather on the cremation rite in early Anglo-Saxon England. In J. Cerezo-Román, A. Wessman and H. Williams (eds.) Cremation and the Archaeology of Death. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Thompson, T. J. U., Gonçalves, D., Squires, K. E. and Ulguim, P. 2017. Thermal alteration to the body. In: E. Schotsmans, N. Márquez-Grant and S. Forbes (eds.) Taphonomy of human remains: Forensic analysis of the dead and the depositional environment. Chichester: Wiley-Blackwell.

Catling, G., Squires, K. and Gwinnett, C. 2016. Is Pork a Suitable Substitute for Human Flesh in Cadaver Dog Training? August 2016, 24-27.

Squires, K. E. 2016. Neighbours and networks: funerary trends among cremation practicing groups in early medieval England and north-western Europe. In: L. Keys, I. Riddler and J. Soulet (eds.) The Evidence of Material Culture: Studies for Professor Vera Evison. Montagnac: Monique Mergoil.

Squires, K. E. 2015. An Osteological Analysis and Social Investigation of the Cremation Rite at the Cemeteries of Elsham and Cleatham, North Lincolnshire: PhD Thesis, University of Sheffield (2011) [data-set]. York: Archaeology Data Service [distributor].

Squires, K. E. 2015. The use of microscopic techniques in cremation studies: A new approach to understanding the social identity of cremation practicing groups from early Anglo-Saxon England. In T. J. U. Thompson (ed.) The archaeology of cremation: burned human remains in funerary studies. Oxford: Oxbow Books.

Squires, K. E. 2015. Review: Tyttels’s Halh: The Anglo-Saxon Cemetery at Tittleshall, Norfolk. The Archaeology of the Bacton to King’s Lynn Gas Pipline, Volume 2. Archaeological Journal 172, 477-478.

Squires, K. E. 2015. Review: The Anglo-Saxon cemetery at Spong Hill, North Elmham: volume IX. Archaeological Journal 172, 479

Squires, K. E. 2014. Through the flames of the pyre: the continuing search for Anglo-Saxon infants and children, 114-130. In: D. M. Hadley and K. A. Hemer (eds.) Medieval Childhood: archaeological approaches. SSCIP Monograph 3. Oxford: Oxbow.

Squires, K. E. 2013. Piecing together identity: a social investigation of early Anglo-Saxon cremation practices. Archaeological Journal 170, 154-200.

Squires, K. E. 2012. Populating the pots: The demography of the early Anglo-Saxon cemeteries at Elsham and Cleatham, North Lincolnshire. Archaeological Journal 169, 312-342.

Squires, K. E., Thompson, T. J. U., Islam, M. and Chamberlain, A. 2011. The application of histomorphometry and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy to the analysis of early Anglo-Saxon burned bone. Journal of Archaeological Science 38 (9), 2399-2409.

Squires, K. E. 2010. Wasperton Book Review. Assemblage 11 [online]. Available at: http://www.assemblage.group.shef.ac.uk/reviews/book-reviews

Blog Entries

Squires, K. 2021-2022. Juvenile Mummy Project Blog [online]. Multiple dates. https://juvenilemummyproject.wixsite.com/palermo

Squires, K. 2020. International Day of the Victims of Enforced Disappearances: How Can Forensics Assist in the Location and Identification of Victims of Enforced Disappearances [online]. 30^th August 2020. https://blogs.staffs.ac.uk/law-policing-forensics/2020/08/19/international-day-of-the-victims-of-enforced-disappearances-how-can-forensics-assist-in-the-location-and-identification-of-victims-of-enforced-disappearances/

Squires, K. 2020. The Society for the Study of Childhood in the Past teams up with the Young Archaeologists’ Club and English Heritage to deliver juvenile osteology training sessions [online]. 30^th March 2020. https://sscip.org.uk/the-society-for-the-study-of-childhood-in-the-past-team-up-with-the-young-archaeologists-club-and-english-heritage-to-deliver-juvenile-osteology-training-sessions/

Squires, K. and Hookway, E. 2019. SSCIP sponsored session at the 84^th Annual Meeting of the Society for American Archaeology [online]. 22^nd May 2019. https://sscip.org.uk/sscip-sponsored-session-at-the-84th-annual-meeting-of-the-society-for-american-archaeology/

Squires, K. E. 2018. A summary of the 11^th annual conference of the Society for the Study of Childhood in the Past at the Museum of Natural History in Vienna [online]. 23^rd October 2018. https://sscip.org.uk/a-summary-of-the-11th-annual-conference-of-the-society-for-the-study-of-childhood-in-the-past-at-the-museum-of-natural-history-in-vienna/

Squires, K. E. 2017. SSCIP outreach events in October 2017 [online]. 7^th November 2017. Available at: https://sscip.org.uk/society-for-the-study-of-childhood-in-the-past-recent-outreach-activities/

Squires, K. E. 2017. Want to know more about the study of childhood in the past? Follow SSCIP’s outreach activities [online]. 2^nd February 2017. Available at: https://sscip.org.uk/want-to-know-more-about-the-study-of-childhood-in-the-past-follow-sscips-outreach-activities/

Presentations and Interviews

Squires, K. 2022. “But the Skeletons are Over 100 Years Old!” The Need for Robust Ethical Procedures in Bioarchaeological Research. Staffordshire University Women’s Academic Network. Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.

Squires, K. 2022. Juvenile Mummy Project. 11 March. ABC Australia (radio interview).

Squires, K. 2022. Researching Bioarchaeological Remains. University of Nottingham Guest Lecture (School of Life Sciences). University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.

Squires, K. and Piombino-Mascali, D. 2022. Communication, Collaboration, and Transparency: An Exploration of the Ethical Challenges Associated with the Analysis and Curation of Human Remains when Working with Multiple Stakeholders at the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo, Sicily. 91^st Annual Meeting of the American Association of Biological Anthropologists. Denver (CO), USA/Virtual.

Squires, K. and Piombino-Mascali, D. 2022. Through a Glass Darkly: A Consideration of the Ethical Challenges and Dilemmas Faced by Stakeholders Involved in the Display, Curation, and Study of Mummified Human Remains in the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo, Sicily. World Archaeology Congress 9^th Annual Meeting, Prague, Czech Republic

Squires, K. and Roberts, C. 2022. The Ethical Challenges of Destructive Sampling and Analysis in Bioarchaeology. World Archaeology Congress 9^th Annual Meeting, Prague, Czech Republic.

Squires, K. 2021. The Forgotten Youth? A Biocultural Analysis of Children from Early Medieval Northwest Europe. Medieval Research Centre Research Seminar Series. University of Leicester, Leicester.

O’Regan, H. and Squires, K. 2021. Who Gets Buried with a Bear? An Examination of Wild Animals in Early Medieval Cremation Cemeteries of Eastern England. European Association of Archaeologists 27^th Annual Meeting. Virtual Conference.

Squires, K. and Piombino-Mascali, D. 2021. Ethical Considerations Associated with the Display and Analysis of Juvenile Mummies from the Capuchin Catacombs of Palermo, Sicily. BioantTalks: AnthroEthics in the 21^st Virtual Conference. Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrJUKpDg_Gs&t=7s

Squires, K. 2021. Ethical Challenges of Human Remains [interview]. ArchaeoDeath. 24^th June. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sk-O32hsS2A

Squires, K. 2021.How to Become an Osteoarchaeologist: A Personal Reflection. Chartered Institute for Archaeologists Annual Conference. Virtual Conference.

Squires, K. Creation Through Cremation? What Cremated Bone can tell us about Social Identity, Ideological Beliefs and Funerary Rites in Early Medieval England. George Hay Lecture 2021. ConFusion, EasterCon 2021. Virtual Event.

Squires, K. The Bioarchaeology of Early Medieval Cremation in England [interview]. The Archaeology of the Early Middle Ages Project. Details available at: https://howardwilliamsblog.wordpress.com/2021/03/02/cremation-in-the-early-middle-ages-interview-5-with-dr-kirsty-squires/

Squires, K. 2019. All in a Day’s Work: The Health and Welfare of Children Living in 19^th Century Staffordshire, UK.* Society for American Archaeology 84^th Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, USA.

Squires, K. 2019. It’s all in the detail: How histomorphometry can inform our understanding of identity and funerary rites in the past. 1^st CRUMBEL Workshop. Royal Institute of Cultural Heritage, Brussels, Belgium.

Squires, K. 2019. Early Anglo-Saxon Mortuary Archaeology: What can we earn about identity and society from funerary evidence? Video Lecture. Northern Kentucky University, Kentucky, USA.

Squires, K. 2019. Why do cremated [subadult] remains matter? A biocultural study of the funerary treatment of children in early medieval northwest Europe. University of Nottingham Guest Lecture Series. University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK.

Squires, K., Errickson, D. and Márquez-Grant, N. 2018. Ethically Speaking About Ethics. British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology 20^th Annual Conference. Cranfield University, Cranfield, UK.

Squires, K. 2018. We Don’t Need No Education: The Value of Education in 19^th century Stoke-on-Trent. Society for the Study of Childhood in the Past 11^th International Conference, Natural History Museum, Vienna, Austria.

Hookway, E. and Squires, K. 2018. Troubled Times: An Investigation into Medieval Hospitals as Places of Refuge for Pregnant Women and Children. Staffordshire University Annual Postgraduate Research Conference. Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.

Hunter, R. J., Squires, K. E., Robertshaw, A., Cassella, J. P., Wright, D. A., Lamont, N. A., Graham, F. C., Ottey, P. and Pringle, J. 2018. Multidisciplinary Investigation to Discern Subsurface Features Evident in and Around Hawthorn Crater and Resulting Implications to the Regional Picture.’ (poster) Annual PostGrad Symposium of the Near-Surface Geophysics Group (NSGG), a Specialty Sub-Group of the Geological Society of London, University of Leeds, UK.

Squires, K. E., Wright, D., Robertshaw, A., Berry, T., Lamont, N., Partridge, J., Graham, F. and Ottey, P. Hawthorn: A Tale of Two Craters, Battle of the Somme. A multi-disciplinary investigation. Public Lecture, Staffordshire University, Stoke-on-Trent, UK.

Squires, K. 2018. Children of the Revolution. An Exploration of Children Working in the Pottery Industry in 19^th Century Stoke-on-Trent, UK. Society for the Study of Childhood in the Past 10^th International Conference, Mexico City, Mexico.

Hookway, E., Squires, K. and Cassella, J. 2017. Understanding the Presence of Children in Late Medieval Hospitals, A.D. 1050-1600. British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology 19^th Annual Conference. Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK.

Squires, K. 2017. Time to Take a Rain Check? The Social and Practical Implications of Weather and Seasonality on the Cremation Rite in Early Anglo-Saxon England. Society for American Archaeology 82^nd Annual Meeting, Vancouver, Canada.

Squires, K. 2017. The Study of Cremation in the Past: What is it Good For? Lecture delivered via web conferencing. University of Victoria, Victoria BC, Canada.

Squires, K. 2016. Preparing for Battle? An Examination of Juvenile Weapon Burials from Early Anglo-Saxon England.** World Archaeology Congress 8^th Annual Meeting, Kyoto, Japan.

Squires, K. 2016. Changing with the Times: An Exploration of Shifting Attitudes and Funerary Treatment of Children from the Roman to Early Medieval Period in Britain. Society for American Archaeology 81^st Annual Meeting, Orlando, Florida, USA.

Squires, K. 2015. A Time Honoured Tradition? The Effect of Social and Political Change on Funerary Rites in Early Anglo-Saxon England. Society for Medieval Archaeology Annual Conference. University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK.

Squires, K. 2015. Putting Family First: Commemorating Children in Early Anglo-Saxon England. Society for the Study of Childhood in the Past 8^th International Conference. DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois, USA.

Squires, K. E. 2015. The Bare Bones: The Application of Scientific Methods to Environmental Evidence – A Case Study. Northern Kentucky University, Kentucky, USA.

Squires, K. E. 2015. He who has the Biggest Pyre? Male Identity in Early Anglo-Saxon England. Manhood in Anglo-Saxon England Conference. University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.

Squires, K. E. 2012. A Fiery Subject: Can Cremated Bone Provide an Insight into the Social Identity of Cremation Practicing Groups of Anglo-Saxon England? 34^th Annual Conference of the Theoretical Archaeology Group. University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK.

Squires, K. E. 2012. A Biocultural Approach to Identity in the early Anglo-Saxon Inhumation and Cremation Rite. Early Medieval Archaeology Student Symposium. University College London, London, UK.

Squires, K. E. 2011. An Analysis of the Construction of Gender and the Lifecycle in the Cremation Cemeteries at Elsham and Cleatham, Lincolnshire. Postgraduate Research Workshop. University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.

Squires, K. E. 2009. The Effect of Cremation on Human Bone from an Early Anglo-Saxon Context. Ancient Cremations Workshop. Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.

Squires, K. E. 2009. The Effect of Cremation on Human Bone from an Early Anglo-Saxon Context. British Association for Biological Anthropology and Osteoarchaeology 11^th Annual Conference. University of Bradford, Bradford, UK.

Squires, K. E. 2009. The Potential of Cremation Cemeteries in Early Anglo-Saxon Archaeology with Special Reference to the Elsham and Cleatham Cemeteries. Early Medieval Student Symposium. University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.

Squires, K. E. 2009. An Analysis of the Construction of Gender and the Lifecycle in the Cremation Cemetery at Elsham, Lincolnshire. Postgraduate Research Workshop. University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.

Squires, K. E. 2008. A Biocultural Analysis of the Osteological Remains and Funerary Practices from the Elsham Cremation Cemetery. Biocultural Approaches to Early Medieval Burial Workshop. University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.

ResearchGate: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kirsty-Squires

ORCID ID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0565-9491