Human Remains From Mckinstry Mound Two

Torbenson, Michael; Langsjoen, Odin; Aufderheide, Aufderheide

doi:10.1080/2052546.1996.11931796

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 6 publications

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“…Secondary burial often involves intentional defleshing and dismemberment, resulting in alteration of bone surfaces. Defleshing cut marks consist of slicing and scraping marks located randomly on long bone shafts (Russell, 1987;Raemsch, 1993) and scattered over all parts of the skull (Villa et al, 1986a;White, 1986;Feagins, 1989;Olsen & Shipman, 1994;Owsley et al, 1994;Torbenson et al, 1996;Massey & Steele, 1997). Olsen & Shipman (1994) pointed out that, although cranial defleshing and scalping marks are very similar, the former are found on the face and basicranium as well as the vault.…”

Section: Body Preparationmentioning

confidence: 99%

The taphonomy of cannibalism: a review of anthropogenic bone modification in the American Southwest

Hurlbut

2000

Int. J. Osteoarchaeol.

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Mass deposits of altered human bone have been found at more than 30 sites in the American Southwest affiliated with the Chaco Anasazi culture. Anasazi bone deposits include individuals of all ages and both sexes, sometimes left lying unburied on kiva or habitation room floors, and are rarely encountered in formal cemeteries. Human remains in these deposits are characterized by marked fragmentation and disarticulation, cut marks, percussion fracture, burning, and end‐polishing of bone fragments. A close resemblance to faunal remains from trash middens at Anasazi sites has led to an inference of cannibalism. The taphonomic signature of cannibalism identified from these deposits is compared with other forms of cultural alteration of human bone. Bone modifications associated with mortuary practices, warfare, mutilation, human sacrifice, and execution are reviewed using examples from around the world. Identical types of modification are linked with a variety of behaviours, but distinct combinations of taphonomic patterns differentiate between cannibalism, violence, and other cultural practices. The numbers of individuals involved, age and sex composition, and burial contexts also differ. Intentional, extensive fragmentation, scattering of disarticulated elements, loss of vertebrae, and pot polish are taphonomic characteristics which combine to set Anasazi human bone deposits apart from documented cases of warfare or interpersonal violence. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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