Treena Swanston PhD

Articles in refereed journals

Swanston, T., T. Varney, I. Coulthard, R. Feng, B. Bewer, R. Murphy, C. Hennig, and D. Cooper. Element localization in archaeological bone using synchrotron radiation x-ray fluorescence: Identification of biogenic uptake. Journal of Archaeological Science. (Accepted, Jan. 26^th; JASC11-608.)

Swanston, T., Y. Carter, C. Hopkins, E.G. Walker, and D. Cooper. Developmental Fusion of the Malleus and Incus in a Late 19th-Century Case of Aural Atresia. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. Article first published online : 15 SEP 2011, DOI: 10.1002/oa.1286

     In paleopathology, the assessment of disease occurs through macroscopic observation, which is dependent on the preservation of the sample and the experience of the observer.  Many disease events do not leave any visible signatures and therefore go undetected.  The relatively new field of paleomicrobiology incorporates molecular techniques where microbial DNA, if present, is amplified from an archaeological sample.  The identification of genetic material from micro-organisms, including bacteria and viruses, can confirm a diagnosis that was originally based on visible osteological or mummified tissue changes.  Even more promising is the capability of molecular technology to detect microbial DNA evidence of disease processes that were not visibly evident.

     In 1999, human remains were discovered eroding out of a glacier in northern British Columbia, Canada on the traditional territory of the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations.  The Aboriginal elders named the site Kwäday Dän Ts’ìnchi, which means ‘long ago person found.’  Radiocarbon testing of bone collagen and artifacts from the site suggested a time-frame of approximately AD 1670 to 1850, which is either pre-European contact or early post-contact for that area.  The tissues of the ancient individual were analyzed specifically for genetic evidence of M. tuberculosis and H. pylori to identify partial health status and determine if a connection could be made to strains associated with European populations to clarify whether the site was pre or post-European contact.

     Through polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of the individual’s tissues with primers specific for the IS6100 insertion sequence, TbD1, and Rv3479, katG and gyrB genes, evidence of a possible latent tuberculosis infection was identified.  Genetic characterization of the katG gene associated with the ancient M. tuberculosis strain revealed a potential connection with European strains.  Amplification and sequencing of the gyrB gene fragment indicated the presence of two alleles that may have been the result of a selective pressure. 

     In the fall of 1999, human skeletal remains and historic artifacts were discovered on private farmland approximately two kilometres south of the Town of Battleford, Saskatchewan.  Document searches and a ground-penetrating radar survey of the property resulted in the discovery that the land was once used as a cemetery for the Catholic Church of St. Vital during the years of 1879 to 1885.  Numerous interest groups were brought together in the process of handling this sensitive situation, including the landowners, the Heritage Resource Branch of the Department of Saskatchewan Culture, Youth and Recreation, the Rural Municipality of Battle River, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Prince Albert, and the Battleford Tribal Council.  A decision was made to relocate the burials to the current town cemetery.  In the meantime, permission was granted for the University of Saskatchewan to play the lead role in the excavation and analysis process.  The partial and complete skeletal remains of thirty individuals were recovered, and in addition to a basic osteology analysis of the individuals that included sex determination, age at death and population affinity, a detailed look at the pathological conditions was also undertaken.  The document and artifact analyses was the subject of a separate thesis by Colette Hopkins.

To teach is to have the privilege and responsibility of passing on knowledge to others. Effective communication in the classroom is necessary for the development of a comfortable and respectful atmosphere that is conducive to discussions and learning.  Students should feel free to ask questions in a setting where they are not judged. They should also have the expectation that I will facilitate their learning process in a fair and straightforward manner with clearly stated course objectives, and they have the right to expect that I will be up-to-date on the subject matter and teach with enthusiasm!  I have the expectation that my students will attend class regularly and complete the requirements of the course. Through mutual effort, we are capable of growing and learning from each other.