This comprehensive illustrated volume provides a new approach for understanding developmental defects of the axial skeleton, and furnishes support for the interpretation of developmental field defects in the study of prehistoric and contemporary populations/ Using data from clinical medicine, genetics, embryology and physical anthropology, Ethne Barnes presents a morphogenetic explanation for describing, deciphering, and classifying disturbances in normal skeletal development. This allows new interpretations of previously studied skeletal collections, such as the prehistoric Tewa of the Pajarito Plateau. Application of this newly developed morphogenetic approach allows researchers to describe the occurrence and risk of developmental defects in past populations, to deciphering underlying genetic relationships to help understand the development of the variations of human skeletal defects, and to provide clues to cultural and environmental factors affecting the development of defects. Developmental defects of the Axial Skeleton Paleopathology is an important resource for physical anthropologists, paleopathologists, physicians concerned with skeletal biology, orthopedists, and medical libraries. It should stimulate additional applications of the methodology and create new avenues for further research possibilities.