Burial Contexts Research Articles

Bioarchaeological analysis of human skeletal remains associated with the wrecking of the retourschip “Batavia”, 1629: burials BIB 11–14

The voyage and subsequent mutiny associated with the wrecking of the VOC retourschip “Batavia” (1629) in the Houtman Abrolhos, off the western coast of Australia, represents one of the earliest documented European encounters with Australia. Much of our understanding of events surrounding the mutiny is detailed in a rich historical record, supplemented in the modern period with targeted archaeological research. Most recently, a large-scale multidisciplinary project, ‘Shipwrecks of the Roaring Forties’ (2014–2019), resulted in the archaeological excavation and analysis of a further 11 individuals on Beacon Island, long dubbed ‘Batavia’s Graveyard’, where the survivors of the wrecking spent several months trying to survive. The latter work brings the total number of individuals recovered from Beacon Island to 21. The present paper considers research undertaken on Beacon Island between 2015 and 2018, specific to the archaeological excavation and analysis of four individuals, designated BIB-11 to BIB-14. These burials represent the first discovery of human remains on the Island through archaeological investigations and for which their burial context and physical integrity had not been compromised by prior human actions, intentional or otherwise. The archaeological and biological anthropological interpretation of these individuals and their burial context, relative to the other sites excavated on the Island, facilitates new and significant insight into these people and the events surrounding their untimely demise on Beacon Island in the early seventeenth century.

Geophysical archaeology for the study of complex historical-period burial spaces: An example from the Fort Lewis military cemetery, Colorado

Geophysical methods have long been used to locate and map unmarked graves in cemeteries and burial spaces. Despite their prevalence, geophysical cemetery surveys can be extremely complex, particularly when dealing with historical-period cemeteries. Not only are there interpretive challenges from site formation processes and noncultural features, but there are also cultural challenges when seeking to study a cemetery within its historical context. Geophysical archaeology is a specialization that can guide this type of work by underscoring the cultural context for geophysical data. Beyond simply locating unmarked graves or other “anomalies,” geophysical archaeology emphasizes increasing the interpretive ability of geophysical data by situating these surveys in cultural theory. Using the example of the Fort Lewis military cemetery, which also served the Fort Lewis Indian Boarding School, in southwest Colorado, this paper highlights how geophysical archaeology was used to identify specific features about the cemetery, including the original fence line, number of likely graves, and two different burial contexts (casketed burials and exhumed graves).

FamilyTreeDNA Group Project Administrator Stockholm, Sweden

Abstract. Several scholars have in the past hypothesized a northward movement of Hunnic contingents which ultimately reached Scandinavia on the basis of archaeological and philological evidence, an event which should be detectable in both ancient and modern DNA if true. Here I report that when analyzing a combination of ancient and modern DNA samples from across Eurasia one can detect a westward movement from the Altai-Sayan region to Europe which ultimately reached southern Sweden, and also accurately date this migration event to the 4th and 5th centuries CE with the help of carbon-14 dating and estimated TMRCAs of certain Y-DNA lineages. It is possible to identify these individuals and groups as Huns by analyzing their Y-chromosomal and autosomal DNA in combination with burial context. The significance and implications of this become clear when looking at the philological evidence which suggests that the Huns had a formative and lasting impact on the development of the peoples, cultures and beliefs of Scandinavia Keywords: Attila, Huns, Scythians, Y-DNA, Xiongnu

What we know and do not know after the first decade of Homo naledi.

It has been just over 10 years since the first fossils attributed to Homo naledi were recovered from the Rising Star Cave system in South Africa's Cradle of Humankind. The hominin fossil evidence for H. naledi displays a distinctive combination of primitive and derived morphology, yet for a time-averaged fossil sample it is remarkable for its relatively low level of variation. Thus-unusually for palaeoanthropology-there has been little pushback against the decision to recognize a single novel taxon for all of the material recovered from the Rising Star Cave system. However, almost everything else claimed about H. naledi-its age, burial context and behaviour-has been controversial. Here we examine the strength of the evidence for these claims.

Identification of Social Status through Grave Goods Using a Biocultural Approach in Interpreting the Alpine Context of Borca Di Cadore, Belluno, Veneto, Italy (18th–19th Centuries)

The cemetery of the Church of Santi Simone e Giuda in Borca di Cadore (Belluno province, Veneto region, Italy) was excavated between 2021 and 2023 as part of an archaeological intervention. The excavation area yielded a total of 21 graves dating back to the 18th–19th century; this was intriguing due to the presence of grave goods and taphonomic indicators that allowed these burials to be interpreted as clothed burials. This contribution examines 14 of the 21 graves, representing the available sample considering preservation conditions. Fieldwork was carried out through close synergy between archaeological and anthropological methodologies, involving careful excavation to verify funerary rituals through taphonomic data analysis. Anthropological methods were applied to determine the biological profile of the individuals, while aspects related to their health status were investigated through paleopathological analyses. Data obtained from field and laboratory observations were cross-referenced with historical and anthropological-cultural data from bibliographic and archival research. Reconstructing the social status of the deceased within the burial context is crucial for understanding the social and cultural dynamics of past populations, achievable only through a biocultural approach integrating information from archaeology, cultural anthropology, and bioarchaeology. Modern burial contexts offer privileged realities due to abundant historical and anthropological-cultural documentation, allowing for a more precise contextualization of bioarchaeological findings with significant support from documentary sources. Studies applied to these periods closer to the present enable the continuous refinement of an investigative method attentive to the synergy of different aspects of biocultural research, enhancing the importance of this approach in reconstructing the life histories of populations.

The Role and Value of Children in the Ancient Near East During the 3rd Millennium BC: A View from Archaeological and Textual Sources

ABSTRACT In an attempt to reconstruct the role and value of childhood in 3rd millennium BC Near Eastern societies, this article discusses specific archaeological aspects related to the material culture of children, integrating notions provided by contemporary cuneiform sources. In particular, burial contexts from selected sites of the Euphrates Valley will be analysed since they offer a large set of tangible data to investigate the remains of children and the artefacts associated with them. In this respect simple statistics and spatial analysis of burials is presented, ultimately trying to reconstruct the value accorded to children by adults through the lens of the funerary sphere.

Farewell to the Young: Early Iron Age Mortuary Practices in the Middle Danube Region

ABSTRACT The study of burials and mortuary practices in the past provides essential information on the role and treatment of children in past communities. This study aims to better understand the status of children by reviewing the material culture provided by child burial contexts. Early Iron Age (800–300 BC) mortuary practices in the southern Middle Danube (present–day eastern Croatia and northwestern Serbia) are characterized mostly by the cremation of the dead. The Iron Age is an important time for funerary transitions. The standard practice of cremating the dead was replaced by the practice of inhumation during the 6th century BC. The manner of treatment of the dead body affected the preservation of objects and data in the graves. This paper studies 74 burials with child remains, costumes, jewellery, tool items, and pottery grave goods. In Early Iron Age mortuary practices, children were treated just like the adult members of the community.

Intentional damage to metal artefacts in burials and hoards in the south Caucasus, 2000–550 BC

The deposition of intentionally damaged metal artefacts within burials and hoards is a phenomenon attested in areas as disparate as Ireland and the Caucasus during the Bronze and Iron Ages. While ritual significance is often attributed to such damage in burial contexts, the intentions behind the inclusion of damaged objects in hoards remain enigmatic. This article synthesises evidence for the intentional destruction of metal artefacts from 70 sites in the territory of modern Georgia and analyses patterns of deliberate damage over time and space. The study of these damaged artefacts enhances our understanding of ritual practice at a local level and locates the south Caucasus within the wider networks of this phenomenon.

Detection of chromosomal aneuploidy in ancient genomes

Ancient DNA is a valuable tool for investigating genetic and evolutionary history that can also provide detailed profiles of the lives of ancient individuals. In this study, we develop a generalised computational approach to detect aneuploidies (atypical autosomal and sex chromosome karyotypes) in the ancient genetic record and distinguish such karyotypes from contamination. We confirm that aneuploidies can be detected even in low-coverage genomes ( ~ 0.0001-fold), common in ancient DNA. We apply this method to ancient skeletal remains from Britain to document the first instance of mosaic Turner syndrome (45,X0/46,XX) in the ancient genetic record in an Iron Age individual sequenced to average 9-fold coverage, the earliest known incidence of an individual with a 47,XYY karyotype from the Early Medieval period, as well as individuals with Klinefelter (47,XXY) and Down syndrome (47,XY, + 21). Overall, our approach provides an accessible and automated framework allowing for the detection of individuals with aneuploidies, which extends previous binary approaches. This tool can facilitate the interpretation of burial context and living conditions, as well as elucidate past perceptions of biological sex and people with diverse biological traits.

Between religion and medicine: understanding large oval breverls from Croatian burial contexts

SUMMARY This paper discusses three large, almost identical oval breverls from the eighteenth century burial contexts in present-day Republic of Croatia. Two of them were discovered during archaeological excavations in Žuberak and Prozorje, while the third one from Ližnjan had not been defined as breverl until now. Breverls are the rarest and most enigmatic devotional objects but the three analysed in this paper have a common link other than their appearance. They all contained religious medals from pilgrim sites and papers with the prayer against all evils and demonic attacks on one side and the blessings of saints, the prayer for the identification of those tortured by evil spirits, and the Prologue to John’s Gospel on the other. This article compares the papers discovered in them, studies the motifs from the mentioned breverls and analyses other finds from them to provide answers to the questions of their place of production, the identity of the people who wore them and why. Tentative correlation of different bioarchaeological factors, such as age, sex, and health condition of the deceased can give us much information on who breverl bearers were. Apparently, they were the vulnerable members of society, such as pregnant women, people suffering from poor health, or, as prayers from the breverls suggest, individuals believed to be tortured by demons or evil spirits. Taking that into account, breverls were devotional objects believed to provide universal protection, a sort of medicine case for both physical and spiritual problems.

On crescent-shaped objects of the early Bronze Age in southern Siberia and the surrounding areas

Abstract Crescent-shaped objects are a special type of artifact commonly found among early Bronze Age archaeological cultures in southern Siberia and the surrounding areas. Based on typology, burial context, and accompanying assemblages, in addition to related iconographic evidence, this study shows that these crescent-shaped objects, in the form of single or double birds, were religious representations once suspended from sacred attire. Crescent-shaped objects in southern Siberia and the surrounding areas might have originated in the Baikal region during the first half of the third millennium BCE, and likely began to influence regions of northern China toward the end of the third or the beginning of the second millennium BCE.

Long-term effects of buried vertebrate carcasses on soil biogeochemistry in the Northern Great Plains.

Decomposing vertebrates impact ecosystems by stimulating animal, insect, and microbial scavengers, perturbing biogeochemical cycles, and transferring elements back to the environment. Most studies exploring the impacts of vertebrate decomposition focus on surface decay scenarios over timescales of days to years. Accordingly, our knowledge of ecosystem impacts of vertebrate decomposition in burial contexts and over longer time scales is limited. In 2000, six animal carcasses were buried in a shallow grave (<1.0 m) and allowed to decompose naturally until partial excavation in 2021, enabling evaluation of long-term soil biogeochemical responses to decomposing vertebrates. Soils were sampled along three vertical transects from the surface to the bone-bearing layer (~40 cm depth) and below. Comparison of the physical and chemical properties of the grave and control soils from equivalent depths indicate significant perturbations even 21 years after burial. Notably, soil pH was significantly more acidic in grave soils (p = 0.0296), and conductivity was significantly elevated (p = 0.0009). Grave soils were significantly enriched with respect to nitrogen stable isotopes, exhibiting δ15N values of 10.48 ± 3.6‰, which is ~5‰ greater than controls. Carbon and nitrogen content was also disrupted in the burial, with five times more nitrogen in the bone-bearing layer and almost double the carbon. Water and acid-based extractions of soils revealed significant differences between grave and control soils, driven largely by calcium, phosphorus (P), magnesium, and iron concentrations. P concentrations in acid extracts were significantly enriched at the bone-bearing layer, suggesting release of P from the bones. This study demonstrates that decomposition may result in long-lived impacts to burial environments and soil biogeochemistry, even after soft tissues decay. While not typically considered in ecosystem models, buried remains contribute to soils for decades or longer, and soil biogeochemistry serves a critical role in facilitating or preventing the long-term preservation of bone.

Travel of faience beads and metal Pins: Evidence of long-distance trade in early Bronze Age I (3100–2900 BCE) Başur Höyük, Türkiye

This paper presents the compositional results of one stone and six faience beads together with five metal pin fragments from Başur Höyük, southeast Türkiye in order to preliminarily evaluate possible source and production regions. Dating to the Early Bronze Age I (ca. 3100–2900 BCE), the samples are part of burial contexts with more than 100,000 beads, hundreds of metal objects, and evidence of human sacrifice. The microstructures of blue and greenish-blue faience beads indicate the application of cementation and efflorescence techniques. The variations in mineral compositions and differences in production techniques of the faience beads indicate Başur Höyük’s access to at least two production centers for faience beads. Pins were made of copper and arsenical copper. Lead isotope analysis on metals indicates possible ties to Iran. Evaluated with further archaeological data from the site, consumption of copper from the Kerman and Sistan regions demonstrate the earliest evidence of the long-distance trade of southeast Anatolia with southeast Iran feasibly via southern Mesopotamian or Diyala region networks. This indicates considerable connectivity and organization in the aftermath of the Uruk collapse and shows both sophisticated technical knowledge and shared aesthetic values between regions.

The postmortem fate of osteometric measurements: taphonomic alteration of landmarks and its implication for biological profiling

The aim of this research was to identify the measurements that are most frequently retrieved from buried skeletal remains to create the most applicable discriminant functions for osteometric assessments. The study sample was composed of 644 adult skeletons from IV-III BC Italy (Pontecagnano). All burials were in the supine position and individuals were buried either directly in the ground or in large stone coffins. The burial context did not present any environmental conditions that could have a detrimental effect on bonepreservation either in general or differentially between anatomical regions. Due to its complexity, the skull was divided in different regions (two macro areas and five regions, plus the mandible), while the long bones and scapula were examined as anatomical units. The results show that cranial measurements cannot be reliably used for anthropological analyses, as main landmarks are frequently affected by taphonomic factors. Given the higher frequency of their preservation, postcranial measurements are more appropriate for the creation of usable discriminant functions for the construction of biological profiles.

Plant remains preserved in products of metal corrosion: source of evidence on ancient plant materials and environment from burial contexts

By-products of metal corrosion, when coming into contact with organic matter, have the capacity to preserve it from decay. A pilot study was conducted aiming to explore the potential and limitations of plant remains preserved in by-products of metal corrosion for archaeobotanical research. The organic remains considered come from the surface/immediate proximity of the metal funerary artefacts of two ancient cemeteries—Varna and Messambria, Eastern Bulgaria. Metal corrosion by-products were observed and sampled, under a low magnification stereo microscope. Subsequently, the plant macrofossils recognised were analysed under reflected light and a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Additionally, pollen was extracted from the metal corrosion by-products, using standard acetolysis. The analyses from the graves of both cemeteries allowed identification of textiles and plant fibres, as well as wood (Cornus sp., Pinus sp., Viburnum sp.). At Varna cemetery epidermis fragments of Juncus sp. were recognized, while at Messambria necropolis fruits of almond were found. The pollen analysis from Varna points to use of flowers in the ritual (Daphne tetrads were recorded) and shows a notably open landscape with 77% non-arboreal pollen (NAP). The palynological analysis from the Messambria necropolis revealed the use of flowers in the burial ritual indicated by clusters of Vitis, Cistus and Rosaceae pollen. The surrounding vegetation was dominated by open oak woodland and open habitats (43% NAP) with a strong presence of anthropogenic indicators. The outcome of the study proved to be promising for reconstructing details of the burial rituals including associated plant materials, as well as the surrounding plant habitats during the functioning of the cemeteries.

A melting pot of Roman dogs north of the Alps with high phenotypic and genetic diversity and similar diets

Several dog skeletons were excavated at the Roman town of Augusta Raurica and at the military camp of Vindonissa, located in the northern Alpine region of Switzerland (Germania Superior). The relationships between them and the people, the nature of their lives, and the circumstances of their deaths are unclear. In order to gain insight into this dog population, we collected 31 dogs deposited almost simultaneously in two wells (second half of the third century CE), three dogs from burial contexts (70–200 CE and third to fifth century CE) at Augusta Raurica, and two dogs from burial contexts at Vindonissa (ca. first century CE). We detected a mixed population of young and adult dogs including small, medium and large sized individuals. Three small dogs had conspicuous phenotypes: abnormally short legs, and one with a brachycephalic skull. Stable isotope analysis of a subset of the dogs showed that their diets were omnivorous with a substantial input of animal proteins and little variation, except one with a particularly low δ15N value, indicating a diet low in animal proteins. Partial mitochondrial DNA sequences from 25 dogs revealed eight haplotypes within canine haplogroup A (11 dogs; 44%; 5 haplotypes), C (8 dogs; 32%; 1 haplotype), D (4 dogs, 16%; 1 haplotype) and B (2 dogs, 8%; 1 haplotype). Based on shotgun sequencing, four Roman mitogenomes were assembled, representing sub-haplogroups A1b3, A1b2 and C2. No canine pathogens were identified, weakening the assumption of infectious disease as a cause for dog disposal. The genetic and morphological diversity observed in dogs of Augusta Raurica and Vindonissa is similar to modern dog diversity.

Cannibalism and burial in the late Upper Palaeolithic: Combining archaeological and genetic evidence

The Magdalenian (∼23.5–∼13.5 kBP) is one of the two major technocomplexes identified in Europe during the late Upper Palaeolithic and is notable for its complex worked bone and lithic industries, and both artistic and ritualistic behaviours. Magdalenian funerary behaviours, however, remain enigmatic, with human assemblages often represented by scattered and fragmented remains showing evidence of post-mortem manipulation that has been associated with cannibalism. To best clarify any patterns of funerary behaviour during the Magdalenian, an exhaustive literature review was performed to identify Magdalenian sites that have delivered human remains. Of the 59 sites identified, it was possible to ascertain funerary behaviour at 25 sites, with 10 deposits attributed to primary burial, 13 showing evidence of anthropic modification indicative of cannibalism, and two sites combining both behaviours. Given the similarities of the anthropic modifications observed on the cutmarked and cannibalised human remains across sites, the high frequency and geographic distribution of this practice, and the association, in some of the sites, of cannibalism with the ritualistic manipulation of human remains, it is proposed that cannibalism during the Magdalenian was practiced as a form of funerary behaviour rather than for necessity or as gastronomic cannibalism. Funerary cannibalism appears in greater abundance during the Middle Magdalenian whilst primary burials are more common during the Upper and terminal Magdalenian. Further, although genetic data are limited, we identify a relationship between funerary behaviour and genetic ancestry, with all cannibalised individuals showing ancestry associated with the GoyetQ2 cluster, indicative of Magdalenian human groups, whilst sequenced individuals found in a primary burial context show a genetic affinity with the Epigravettian (Villabruna associated ancestry), the other major technocomplex of the period. We hypothesise that cannibalism is a funerary behaviour indicative of GoyetQ2 associated Magdalenian populations, and that differences in funerary behaviours during the Magdalenian reflect distinct genetic ancestries indicative of known population movements during the terminal Upper Palaeolithic. This interpretation must be tempered however given that limited taphonomic or genetic study has been performed at the majority of Magdalenian sites, and thus to fully clarify the funerary behaviours of Magdalenian groups additional focus on understudied Magdalenian assemblages needs to be established.

Children Under the Floor: An Emotional Response to a Middle Helladic Burial Practice

ABSTRACT The paper discusses the emotional context of child burials performed during the Middle Helladic period in houses still in use. Recent evidence, gained mainly from modern fieldwork, supports the reality of these interments, despite some counter-arguments raised based on the unorthodox location of them. Here, it is proposed that the cultural changes that occurred at the end of the Early Helladic period might have triggered sufficient psychological pressure that, in conjunction with the emergence of new societal forms, led communities to gradually accept this particular funerary practice, which had been rather marginal until then. Although the important role of metaphysical considerations is touched on here, a number of questions – primarily driven by an emotional approach – may reveal interesting paths for future research.

Curated cauldrons: Preserved proteins from early copper-alloy vessels illuminate feasting practices in the Caucasian steppe

Large metal and metal-alloy cauldrons first appear on the far western steppe and Caucasus region during the Maykop period (3700-2900 BCE); however, the types of foods or beverages cooked in and served from these vessels have remained mysterious. Here, we present proteomic analysis of nine residues from copper-alloy cauldrons from Maykop burial contexts where we identify muscle, blood, and milk proteins specific to domesticated, and possibly wild, ruminants. This study clearly demonstrates that the earliest, large-volume feasting vessels contained both primary and secondary animal products, likely prepared in the form of a stew.

The Landscapes of Disease and Death in Colonial Mauritius

AbstractThe recurring ebb and flow of epidemic diseases profoundly impacted how colonial administrations dealt with death. This article focuses on the role disease played in shaping the “necrogeography” of colonial landscapes, a key point of intersection between funerary and landscape archaeology. Using an extensive corpus of evidence from cemeteries that capture inhumation practices from formerly enslaved and indentured populations, this article provides an assessment of these burial contexts as part of the cultural landscape in Mauritius. Drawing together functional and emotional dimensions, their features and development will be considered against the backdrop of the island’s specific and dynamic disease ecology.