Period Cemetery Research Articles

Interpersonal violence in prehistoric San Pedro de Atacama, Chile: Behavioral implications of environmental stress

The prehistoric population of San Pedro de Atacama lived through periods marked by prosperity and interregional interaction, as well as times of severe drought, social stress, and widespread poverty. A sample of 682 crania was analyzed for evidence of cranial trauma in order to assess changing patterns of interpersonal violence during the occupation of the oasis. It was hypothesized that the level of traumatic injuries in this population would parallel some of the changes seen in the archaeological record. Low fracture rates would be expected in periods of affluence and environmental stability, while periods characterized by environmental extremes and state collapse would yield elevated rates of aggression. This analysis found that rates of trauma escalated from 5.1% (5/99) in the earliest period, to 10.9% (10/92) in the Middle Horizon (AD 600-950). Although it may reflect problems related to increasing population density in the oasis, this increase is surprising, given that the early period witnessed the shift to permanent settlements, and the middle period was one of prosperity and plentiful resource availability. Trauma rates peaked at 35.6% (16/45) in an early Late Intermediate period (AD 950-1400) cemetery, with other Late Intermediate cemeteries demonstrating similarly high rates of traumatic injury. The elevated trauma rates during this period correlate with major droughts, the concentration of settlements on the oasis' east side, fortified structures, and material poverty, all reflected in the archaeological record. As the Late Intermediate waned and environmental conditions improved, trauma concomitantly decreased (7.0%), and remained low throughout the Inka occupation (AD 1400-1532). This indicates that while the Atacama was not peaceful, violence became commonplace only during periods of great social change and resource stress.

Two cases of pelvic osteochondroma in New Kingdom Nubia

Osteochondroma is one of the most common bone tumours found in clinical cases. These tumours usually occur on the metaphyseal surfaces of the bone; approximately 80% of osteochondromas are found on one of the limbs. Only about 5% of cases are located on the pelvis. This study examines two cases of single osteochondroma on the os pubis from Tombos, a New Kingdom period cemetery in ancient Nubia. Determined using macroscopic and radiographic examination, two individuals displayed exostoses consistent with osteochondromas. The first individual was aged 40–55 and the second was aged 55+; both were male. On both individuals the exostosis appears on the anterior aspect of the right pubis, projecting anteriorly approximately 7 cm on the first and 5 cm on the second individual. As the only two cases of osteochondroma in this relatively small skeletal sample (MNI = 128), it is remarkable that these tumours are found in this unusual location. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Roman Period fetal skeletons from the East Cemetery (Kellis 2) of Kellis, Egypt

Much can be learned about the religious ideology and mortuary patterns as well as the demographic and health profiles of a population from archaeological human fetal skeletons. Fetal skeletons are rare, however, largely due to poor preservation and recovery, misidentification, or non-inclusion in general burial populations. We present an analysis of 82 fetal/perinatal skeletons recovered from Kellis 2, a Roman Period cemetery dated to the third and fourth centuries AD, located in the Dakhleh Oasis, Egypt. Most of the fetal remains were individually wrapped in linen and all were buried among the general cemetery population in a supine, east–west orientation with the head facing to the west. Gestational age estimates are calculated from diaphysis lengths using published regression and Bayesian methods. The overall similarity between the fetal age distributions calculated from the regression and Bayesian methods suggests that the correlation between diaphysis length and gestational age is typically strong enough to avoid the ‘regression’ problem of having the age structure of reference samples adversely affecting the age distribution of target samples. The inherent bias of the regression methods, however, is primarily reflected in the gestational age categories between 36 and 42 weeks corresponding with the expected increase in growth variation during the late third trimester. The results suggest that the fetal age distribution at Kellis 2 does not differ from the natural expected mortality distribution. Therefore, practices such as infanticide can be ruled out as having a significant effect on the observed mortality distribution. Moreover, the Kellis 2 sample is well represented in each gestational age category, suggesting that all premature stillbirths and neonatal deaths received similar burial rites. The age distribution of the Kellis 2 fetal remains suggests that emerging Christian concepts, such as the ‘soul’ and the ‘afterlife’, were being applied to everyone including fetuses of all gestational ages. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Juxtacortical osteosarcoma of tibia from a medieval cemetery of Budapest

Juxtacortical osteosarcoma occurred on the right tibia and fibula of a 20-22 years old man found in a medieval period cemetery of Budapest. MACROSCOPIC DESCRIPTION: The tumor is located circumferentially on the midshaft of the tibia and fibula and appears cone-shaped. The lesion measured 160 mm in length and 3-5 mm in height. The surface of the tumor is irregular, rough, in some areas shows spicules. These spicules averaged 2-4 mm in length and 1-2 mm in diameter. The anterior and medial surface of the tibia is completely covered by osseous tumor. RADIOGRAPHY: The X-ray study demonstrates the medullary involvement, with mixed osteolytic and osteoblastic areas. Tumor infiltration of the cortex is also apparent as irregular rarefication and lytic lesions. In some areas a "sunburst" picture could be seen. The X-ray picture is characteristic for juxtacortical osteosarcoma. MICROSCOPIC EXAMINATION: stereomicroscopy of specimens shows a sponge-like structure of the surface. The cortical bone is completely destroyed and deep cavities are seen between spiculous and gyrificated neoplastic bone. The spiculae are varied in length and thickness. Irregular bulky bone trabeculae demonstrating uncontrolled neoplastic reaction could be detected. By light microscopic examination severe destruction, osteolytic lesions are seen both in the cortical bone and in the cancellous bone in the peripheral parts of the tumors. Within the neoplastic bone only few remnants of the primary (normal) bone structure could be demonstrated. No reparative reactions were seen next to the osteolysis, the collagen fibers and lamellas are destroyed. Beside the destruction of original bone larger structures composed of irregular newly built nepotistic bone trabeculae can be detected. The newly formed trabeculae (spiculae) contain a tumorous ground substance (probably osteoid tissue) with few collagen fibers, and these areas are covered with a thin bony lamella. In some areas the neoplastic structures are in intimate contact with the original cancellous bone remnants. IMMUNOHISTOCHEMISTRY: Both the osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma show osteoid and bone neoformation while in the chondrosarcoma type II collagen could also detected. By immunohistochemical reactions no type II and III collagen, only type I collagen reaction was positive. This means that no cartilaginous tissues were present in the tumor. Scanning electron microscopy of these specimens shows sponge-like structures. The tumor reveals irregular trabecular and spicular texture,the spicules are various in diameter and in some spiculae rounded deposits attached to the surface. In our case we found typical radiological and histological picture of the juxtacortical osteosarcoma.

Aging fetal and juvenile skeletons from Roman Period Egypt using basiocciput osteometrics

AbstractThis paper tests the use of basiocciput osteometrics against those of femoral diaphyseal length and dental development for aging fetal and juvenile skeletal remains. The study sample consists of 39 fetal and juvenile skeletons recovered from Kellis 2, a Roman Period cemetery in Dakhleh, Egypt. The results add to the corpus of data supporting the reliability of this method for use in both bioarchaeological and forensic contexts. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

“Bamboo Spine” in a Migration Period Horse from Hungary

Intervertebral ankylosis in protohistoric horses, commonly attributed to excessive riding, is well known in Central Europe. The single block fusion of 11 thoracic and 6 lumbar vertebrae was briefly reported by Bökönyi (1974) from an ad7th century, Avar Period cemetery in western Hungary. Recently, the dating of this animal has been revised. The horse has been documented in detail and reevaluated within its broader sacrificial context (Vörös, 1999). Our paper tackles the yet unexplored pathological aspects of this extreme disorder, similar to Bekhterev's disease in humans, a phenomenon previously not considered in horse. Differential diagnoses and aetiology are discussed.

Cranial Vault Modification and Ethnicity in Middle Horizon San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Cranial Vault Modification and Ethnicity in Middle Horizon San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

Humerus varus deformity in Roman period burials from Kellis 2, Dakhleh, Egypt.

Humerus varus deformity (HVD) occurs unilaterally in a female (#85) skeleton and bilaterally in a male (#124) from Kellis 2, a Roman period cemetery (circa 300-450 AD) from Dakhleh, Egypt. The affected humeri were shortened, their glenohumeral joints deformed, and their upper diaphyses were angulated. The skeletons were otherwise normal. The severity of the changes suggests that the underlying growth disturbances occurred early in postnatal development. The differential diagnosis considers the mucopolysaccharidoses, thalassemia, infection, and birth trauma, with the latter being favored. Clinical data show limited morbidity or functional impairment in individuals with HVD, although radiographic analysis suggests that #85 may have favored her dominant arm. Ortner and Putschar (1981), and Hershkovitz et al (1991) describe the only other archaeological cases of HVD. These authors provide useful, though limited, information on the differential diagnosis of HVD in archaeological specimens. Future research should focus on documenting the prevalence and expressivity of HVD in Mediterranean population samples where thalassemia evolved. HVD is relatively common in thalassemics and this approach would be valuable for documenting the range of osseous responses characteristic of HVD.

The Middle Caddoan Period in East Texas: A Summary of the Findings of the East Texas Caddoan Research Group

The second meeting of the East Texas Caddoan Research Group (ETCRG) met in San Antonio on October 27, 1996, to consider the archaeology of the Middle Caddoan period in East Texas. The meeting was arranged as a three hour symposium held in conjunction with the annual meeting of the Texas Archeological Society. The meeting's format involved the informal presentation by several ETCRG members of major research findings along thematic lines for each of several river basins in the region. The presenters distributed handouts to participants and mixed their comments with slides, photographs, and the hands-on examination of a few selected artifacts. The presentations and discussions were tape-recorded, and transcribed and edited proceedings of the meeting are to be published in a future volume of the Journal of Northeast Texas Archaeology. Brief periods of discussion did occur between the presenters, and the audience participated as well, during the three hour meeting; however, the general consensus of the group was that more time was needed and there was much left to be discussed. This paper attempts to summarize the information presented during the ETCRG meeting, and may (we think) represent a good starting place for continued dialog on the archeology of the Middle Caddoan period, as well as further dialog on the organization and arrangement of future ETCRG meetings. Eight handouts were available to the research group. Four were river basin archaeological summaries prepared by Maynard Cliff (the lower Sulphur River basin), Bo Nelson and Mike Turner (Cypress Creek Drainage basin), Tim Perttula and Brett Cruse (the upper and middle Sabine River basin), and Tom Middlebrook (Attoyac and Angelina River basins). Two handouts not associated with presentations were also prepared for the ETCRG members, namely archaeological summaries of the Middle Caddoan period by Tim Perttula for the middle Red River basin and the upper Sulphur River basin. Jim Corbin provided extensive information on the Middle Caddoan Washington Square Mound site (41NA49) in Nacogdoches County, while Bob Turner discussed archaeological materials found in three Middle Caddoan period cemeteries in Camp and Upshur counties.

Some Observations on Four Probable Middle Caddo Period Cemeteries in Camp and Upshur Counties, Northeast Texas

In this paper, I discuss probable Middle Caddo period ceramic vessels and other artifacts from cemeteries at the Rumsey (41CP3), Harold Williams (41CP10), Graydon Adkins #1 (41UR21), and Graydon Adkins#2 (41UR17) sites in Camp and Upshur counties.

Skeletal markers of occupational stress in the Fur Trade: A case study from a Hudson's Bay Company Fur Trade post

AbstractThe Seafort Burial Site (FcPr100) is a Fur Trade Period cemetery located near the town of Rocky Mountain House, Alberta. The results of recent analysis of skeletons recovered during salvage excavations between 1969 and 1971 suggest that three males in this sample were voyageurs in the employ of the Hudson's Bay Company. Vertebral osteophytosis and osteoarthritis, Schmorl's nodes, muscle origin robusticity and new bone formation at entheses and syndesmoses, and osteoarthritis at the elbow and shoulder joints provide evidence for carrying, lifting, and paddling or rowing. The presence of accessory sacral facets also may be stress‐related. In addition, the development of accessory articular facets on the metatarsals and proximal pedal phalanges may indicate activity‐induced stress from hyperdorsiflexion of the toes in habitual kneeling, such as when river canoeing.

Comparison of Avar period anthropological series

This study concerns human skeletal remains recovered from nine Avar period cemeteries from two regions, one in Northern Hungary and the other from Backa in Yugoslavia. Regional differences are compared using Penrose's generalised distance method, Alexeyeva's indices and preauricular facio-cerebral indices.

An Early Dynastic Cemetery at Kafr Ghattati

In November of 1924 the Harvard UniversityBoston Museum of Fine Arts Expedition, under the direction of George Andrew Reisner, was in the midst of excavations at the Giza necropolis. While directing the excavation at Giza, Reisner learned of the existence of a small cemetery at Kafr Ghattati, north of Giza. The cemetery, which lay on a sandy knoll between the Mena House Hotel and Abu Roash, had been discovered the previous summer by local villagers and was in danger of being completely plundered (fig. 1). In an effort to salvage what remained of the cemetery at Kafr Ghattati, Reisner sent a party of twenty men to excavate the site. On November 16 the cemetery was located and the first two graves were cleared. By November 25 the excavation was completed and a total of thirteen graves had been found.2 The graves at Kafr Ghattati, although for the most part completely plundered and devoid of a y artifacts, give us a good illustration of a small Archaic Period cemetery. In addition, some of the major trends in Lower Egyptian tomb dev lopment are also documented. Reisner recognized what he believed was a divergence of tomb types between Upper and Lower Egyptian types (see below). Reconstruction of the actual excavation and

Field Report: Predynastic Settlement Patterns in the Hu-Semaineh Region, Egypt

Abstract In 1898–1899, Sir Flinders Petrie excavated Predynastic, pharaonic, and Roman period cemeteries in the vicinity of Hu, EgyptSE of Nag Hammadi. As few Predynastic settlements have been preserved and excavated in Egypt, fieldwork to locate settlements associated with Petrie's Predynastic cemeteries was conducted in 1989. The Egyptian Predynastic was a crucial period of social, political, and economic change, dating from approximately 4000 to 3000 B.C., in which complex society and the state evolved from simple village farming communities. As the Hu region had a major concentration of Predynastic burials, fieldwork there was aimed at a study of Predynastic settlements which would yield more specific data about major cultural changes than did the limited burial data recorded by Petrie.Two Predynastic settlement sites were located at Abadiyeh and Semaineh . Much of the Abadiyeh site was previously cultivated, but the Semaineh site was undisturbed. Because of its proximity to a Nagada III cemetery, the...

Anthropology of the Late Period cemetery in the Tomb of King Horemheb at Saqqara (Egypt) (preliminary report)

Anthropological material unearthed by the excavation of the Egypt Exploration Society (London) in the Tomb of King Horemheb at Saqqara consists of original burials dated 14th cent. B.C., of a series of 18 individuals dated 13th cent. B.C. and of a large amount of material (seven burials and a lot of scattered isolated bones) from a secondary cemetery dated Late Period. In it the total number of individuals was determined as 260, divided into 37.3% immatures and 62.7% adults, which consist of 60.7% males and 39.3% females. The mean age at death was for the whole series 24.1 years, for adult males 33.3 years and for adult females 29.4 years. In all metric features a well-cut sexual dimorphism is apparent and a similarity with a contemporary nearly located series from the Mastaba of Ptahshepses at Abusir. The average stature reconstructed by the Negro equations of Trotter and Gleser equals 166.5 cm for males and 154.7 cm for females. Cranioscopic, epigenetic and osteoscopic features, however, showed many differences between the Horemheb and the Ptahshepses series. The paleopathological study revealed cases of traumatism, inflammations, degenerative osteoarthropathies, benign as well as malign tumours, anaemias, congenital anomalies, senile changes and dental diseases.

Late Archaic subsistence in the Midwestern United States

Analysis of the strontium content of bone samples from three Late Archaic period cemeteries in the Midwestern United States is used to reconstruct prehistoric human diets. Deer bone is used as a baseline for the comparison of spatially-disparate locations in Wisconsin and Ohio. Results from the analyses provide objective estimates of the composition of human diet in the Late Archaic and a perspective on regional variation.

Social and Temporal Implications of Variation among American Bottom Mississippian Cemeteries

Mississippian period cemeteries in the American Bottom, Illinois, were divided into three categories representing two distinct social strata. Burial areas for an elite stratum occurred in large, regionally important town-and-mound centers. Locational, organizational, and artifactual criteria distinguish these burial areas from those of a non-elite social stratum. Members of the non-elite social stratum were buried either in cemeteries located within regional centers or in peripherally located cemeteries associated with outlying communities. Mortuary practices in the American Bottom changed somewhat during the several hundred year duration of the Mississippian period. These changes were particularly apparent at peripheral cemeteries. The size and distribution of these cemeteries were related to levels of regional social segmentation and settlement autonomy, which changed throughout the Mississippian period.

Little Salt Spring, Florida: A Unique Underwater Site

Little Salt Spring in southwest Florida, consisting of a shallow, water-filled basin above a deep, vertical underwater cavern, was a freshwater cenote in the peninsula's drier past. It collected and preserved perishable organic artifacts and other evidence of Paleo-Indian and Archaic Indian origin ranging in age from 12,000 to 9000 and from 6800 to 5200 years ago. An Archaic Period cemetery containing an estimated 1000 burials occupies an adjoining muck-filled slough and presently drowned portions of the basin of the spring. Artifacts and the nature of interment suggest a cultural link between the Archaic people and the much later Glades Tradition of southern Florida.

The Salvage Archaeology of a Zoned Bichrome Cemetery, Costa Rica

AbstractSalvage operations were carried out at an extensively pot-hunted Zoned Bichrome period (300 B.C. to A.D. 300) cemetery in northwestern Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica. This is the first "pure" Zoned Bichrome site of this type to be studied and yielded a cross-section of ceramics representative of other Late Formative sites in the area and of contact with the Maya lowlands. In addition, it solidified the impression of this period being an entity distinct from subsequent regional developments. This distinction is seen in terms of adaptation to the exploitation of marine mollusca, a pattern not present in Zoned Bichrome sites known at the present time, but very important in succeeding Polychrome periods.