Zooming in on a Snapshot of Care: Adapting the Index of Care for Historical and Modern Individuals in the Terry Collection

This dissertation adapts the Index of Care (IOC), traditionally focused on prehistoric contexts, to historical (1840-1950) and modern (post-1950) individuals from the Smithsonian’s Terry Collection, to account for those individuals with extensive records. By introducing sister methodologies for both historical and modern contexts, this research bridges the methodological gap in care analysis, enhancing the original IOC with contextual environmental variables and, for modern individuals, DNA analysis.The study utilizes a selected cohort from the Terry Collection, emphasizing the investigation of caregiving practices across different sexes and ancestral backgrounds. Contrary to initial hypotheses predicting sex-based differences in care provision, findings show no significant disparities, challenging traditional interpretations and underscoring the complexity of caregiving beyond sex-based assumptions.This work contributes significant methodological advancements to the bioarchaeology of care, advocating for a multidisciplinary approach to explore the nuanced tapestry of care in past communities. The development of sister methods marks a critical evolution in the field, enabling a broader exploration of caregiving practices and fostering a deeper appreciation for the human condition's diversity and continuity.