ecrets of the Past

Christine Lee is a scientist who studies the bones and teeth of people who lived
thousands of years ago. Skeletons tell us some secrets of the past. By looking
at ancient skulls, Lee learns important things about the people they belonged to.

For example, from analyzing a person's bones, Lee discovers whether they were
male or female and how old they were when they died. The bones also give her
information about the person’s health, for instance, whether they had any serious
diseases. She can learn other interesting facts, including whether they worked hard
or had a fairly easy life.

She even finds out unusual details, like whether the person was right-handed or
left-handed, and whether they spent long periods of time kneeling down. Lee can
also tell whether the person used to walk long distances or ride horses. She asks
questions such as: Did this person get kicked by a cow, fall off a horse, or break
their nose in a fight? "Bones show me all this and more." says Lee.

Christine Lee also learns many important things by studying human teeth that are
thousands of years old. For example, by comparing skulls found in different cities,
she discovers how populations were linked in the past. She looks for similar details
such as a bump on the same tooth, or the same shape of tooth, or the same tooth
missing. Teeth also give her clues about the person's economicstatus. For instance,
the teeth of rich people were usually in a healthy condition because they used to
eat good food. Poorer people, however, ate food that contained more sand, grass,
and tiny pieces of stone (grit). For this reason, their teeth showed more damage
and wear.

"It's amazing to look at a skull and realize I'm the first person to see that face in
2,000 years." says Lee. She loves her job and brings a personal touch to her
professional work. She cares about the people she studies. Lee says, "Nobody
knows their city, their name, or what culture they’re from. So it's like I'm saying to
them, 'Don't worry. I will tell the world about you, publish about you, describe what
your life was like, and prove it had meaning.'"

 analyze
 economic
 unusual
 linked
 clue
 ancient

1.
: to study something carefully in order to learn more about it
2.
: extremely old
3.
: a fact that gives new information about something
4.
: relating to business and wealth
5.
: joined together; connected
6.
: different or strange; not common or normal
For
example , from analyzing a person's bones, Christine Lee discovers whether they were
male or female and how old theywere when they died. The bones also give her informa
tion about the person’s health, for
instance , whether they had anyserious diseases. She can learn other interesting facts, in
cluding whether they worked hard or had a fairly easy life. She evenfinds out unusual d
etails, like whether the person was right-handed or left-
handed, and whether they spent long periods oftime kneeling down. Another
example is that Lee can tell whether the person used to walk long distances or ride hors
es. Sheasks questions such
as : Did this person get kicked by a cow, fall off a horse, or break their nose in a fight? "
Bones show me allthis and more." says Lee.