Cultural anthropology is generally considered to be a distinctive discipline which seeks an understanding of the fundamental nature of culture and of culture change. The nature of its ultimate objectives, however, is rarely made explicit, and a lack of agreement exists concerning even the more immediate objectives. There is reason to believe that within the last few years archaeology and ethnology are, in many respects, growing rapidly apart instead of contributing to mutual problems. It seems timely, therefore, to inquire whether there really exists a general, basic problem of culture and to what extent archaeological research may be brought to bear upon it.
This report deals with a pre-Columbian site in the east central part of Lapeer County, southeastern Michigan. Even though no European objects were present, the two wooden structures and the burial customs would seem to indicate that it was occupied by Indians closely related to those occupying the area when the first European settlements were established.The most significant feature from this site-which may constitute a diagnostic burial trait for the focus-is the drilling of the skulls and the ends of the long bones after death and prior to final inhumation. There is little doubt but that this procedure played an important part in maintaining a certain amount of articulation of the skeleton prior to interment. The heads of femurs were even cut down to fit into the natural openings of the pelvis (obturator foramina) in order to support the leg bones when suspended from a pole or horizontal bar.
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