ObjectivesThe mortuary record at Middle Period site Kalawwasa Rummeytak (CA‐SCL‐134) (2600‐1225 c... more ObjectivesThe mortuary record at Middle Period site Kalawwasa Rummeytak (CA‐SCL‐134) (2600‐1225 cal BP) in California's southern Santa Clara Valley shows pronounced wealth inequality; Olivella shell bead wealth, as well as other grave goods, are concentrated in the burials of several older adult females. The concentration of wealth among women, along with regional strontium isotopic evidence of male‐biased residential shifts in early adulthood, suggests a matrilineal kinship system that practiced matrilocal post‐marital residence patterns. We suggest local resource enhancement effects incentivized keeping women in their natal communities and investing more in female offspring.Materials and MethodsWith the consent of, and in collaboration with, the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area, this paper employs isotopic analysis (δ15N and δ13C, 86Sr/87Sr) to examine duration of exclusive breastfeeding, weaning age (complete cessation of breastmilk consumption), early child...
This report presents the results of the burial and archaeological data recovery program conducted... more This report presents the results of the burial and archaeological data recovery program conducted within a portion of site CA-SCL-128 [Thámien Rúmmeytak [Thámien (Guadalupe) River Site], a Late Middle Period-to-Late Period Ancestral Muwekma Ohlone Cemetery located at 282 Almaden Boulevard, City of San Jose, Santa Clara County, California. The recovered burial was inadvertently discovered on January 24, 2012 by a construction crew excavating a trench and footings for a concrete overhang canopy at the rear entrance to the newly renovated Hyatt Place Hotel. The Hyatt Place Hotel, previously known as the Holiday Inn, which was originally constructed in 1977 and was the location of a major prehistoric cemetery/residential village locality historically recorded as CA-SCL-128 (The Holiday Inn Site).
ABSTRACT Treating cemeteries as single analytical units masks significant and behaviorally meanin... more ABSTRACT Treating cemeteries as single analytical units masks significant and behaviorally meaningful patterns. With high resolution radiocarbon dating of a large number of burials, we show how interments at CA-CCO-548 in central California shifted spatially, temporally, and stylistically across the site. Some interment attributes such as burial position changed little over time, while others such as orientation drifted markedly. We suggest that the former burial attributes mark stable and perhaps biologically mediated aspects of ancient societies such as generation or birth order, while the latter mark affiliation in groups that vary in popularity such as clan or religious affiliation. Furthermore, the data suggest that variation, not conformity to a single rule, is the norm for interment style.
Interpersonal aggression is assessed paleoepidemiologically in a large skeletal population from t... more Interpersonal aggression is assessed paleoepidemiologically in a large skeletal population from the CA‐ALA‐329 site located on the southeastern side of San Francisco Bay, California. This comprehensive analysis included all currently recognized skeletal criteria, including craniofacial fracture, projectile injury, forearm fracture, and perimortem bone modification. Craniofacial injury is moderately common, showing an adult prevalence of 9.0% with facial lesions accounting for >50% of involvement. Clinical studies suggest that such separate evaluation of facial involvement provides a useful perspective for understanding patterns of interpersonal aggression. In this group male facial involvement is significantly greater than in females, paralleling the pattern found widely in contemporary populations as well as in African apes. When compared to other North American skeletal samples the prevalence of adult cranial vault injury (3.3%) and especially projectile injury (4.4%) are quite...
Forensic archaeology is the application of archaeological theory and methods to medicolegal cases... more Forensic archaeology is the application of archaeological theory and methods to medicolegal cases, including searching for, locating, surveying, sampling, recording, and interpreting evidence, as well as the recovery and documentation of human remains and associated evidence. A location where remains are found is called a scene or recovery scene, and common scene types include surface, burial, submerged, and fire scenes. Processing a scene typically involves the search, recovery, and documentation of evidence, and is an inherently destructive process that permanently alters the context of the area and items located there. Documentation and preservation of contextual information is therefore critically important.
Skeletal trauma can be characterized by its timing in relation to the death event as well as the ... more Skeletal trauma can be characterized by its timing in relation to the death event as well as the mechanism that caused the trauma. Bones are objects that obey physical laws and understanding bone's response to force can help interpret how fractures may have occurred. The primary forces that cause skeletal fractures are compression, tension, bending, shear, and torsion.
Forensic anthropology is an evolving discipline that continues to broaden in both depth and scope... more Forensic anthropology is an evolving discipline that continues to broaden in both depth and scope. Forensic anthropologists work within an interdisciplinary framework in which a skeletal analysis is usually a single component of a much larger investigation. In recent years, forensic anthropologists have expanded from domestic casework to mass disaster victim identification efforts, international human rights investigations, and the identification of undocumented border crosses (e.g., Mexican nationals).
Forensic anthropological analyses depend on a thorough knowledge of human osteology and odontolog... more Forensic anthropological analyses depend on a thorough knowledge of human osteology and odontology, including bone and tooth morphology, features, related anatomical terminology, internal composition, and growth and development. The skeleton serves many functions including support, movement, protection, storage, and blood production. The adult human skeleton consists of approximately 206 bones, including those of the skull (cranium and mandible), axial skeleton (ribs, vertebrae, hyoid, sternum), and the appendicular skeleton (upper limb, lower limb, and supporting structures).
This chapter reviews the process of determining whether material is of interest to the medicolega... more This chapter reviews the process of determining whether material is of interest to the medicolegal system, including the differentiation of skeletal from non-skeletal material, human from non-human remains, and contemporary from non-contemporary remains, and outlines the various types of cases that may be sent to a forensic anthropologist for examination. The determination of skeletal or non-skeletal origin is typically accomplished by gross visual examination, but when material is small, taphonomically compromised, or lacking morphological features, this may be accomplished by using radiography, microscopy, or elemental analysis such as X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Differences between human and non-human skeletal remains are primarily related to architecture (shape) as a result of locomotory pattern (bipedal versus quadrupedal). The determination of human or non-human origin is typically accomplished by gross visual examination, but other specialized techniques may also be employed including histology or protein-based methods. The determination of contemporary or non-contemporary is typically based on observations of taphonomy, context, and biocultural information. Radiocarbon dating may also be useful in determining the antiquity of remains.
Stature estimations from skeletal remains are possible because there is a relationship between bo... more Stature estimations from skeletal remains are possible because there is a relationship between bone lengths and height. Stature is most accurately measured using full skeleton methods, which utilize measurements of all bones that contribute to stature. Stature is most often estimated using regression methods, which utilize the mathematical relationship (correlation) between bone lengths and stature using regression formulae. Stature may be estimated using incomplete bones and non-long bones, but these methods have considerably higher error than intact long bones. Stature estimations can be carried out manually or using software packages such as Fordisc. Estimating stature of juveniles from skeletal material is generally considered unadvisable because known statures of juveniles are quickly out of date, and there are few studies on the estimation of stature from juvenile remains. Caution should be exercised when comparing estimated statures to missing persons records. “Known” stature can refer to many things which may not necessarily represent the true biological height. Self-reported statures may be subject to bias and should be taken into consideration when comparing indicated antemortem statures to forensic estimates.
ObjectivesThe mortuary record at Middle Period site Kalawwasa Rummeytak (CA‐SCL‐134) (2600‐1225 c... more ObjectivesThe mortuary record at Middle Period site Kalawwasa Rummeytak (CA‐SCL‐134) (2600‐1225 cal BP) in California's southern Santa Clara Valley shows pronounced wealth inequality; Olivella shell bead wealth, as well as other grave goods, are concentrated in the burials of several older adult females. The concentration of wealth among women, along with regional strontium isotopic evidence of male‐biased residential shifts in early adulthood, suggests a matrilineal kinship system that practiced matrilocal post‐marital residence patterns. We suggest local resource enhancement effects incentivized keeping women in their natal communities and investing more in female offspring.Materials and MethodsWith the consent of, and in collaboration with, the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe of the San Francisco Bay Area, this paper employs isotopic analysis (δ15N and δ13C, 86Sr/87Sr) to examine duration of exclusive breastfeeding, weaning age (complete cessation of breastmilk consumption), early child...
This report presents the results of the burial and archaeological data recovery program conducted... more This report presents the results of the burial and archaeological data recovery program conducted within a portion of site CA-SCL-128 [Thámien Rúmmeytak [Thámien (Guadalupe) River Site], a Late Middle Period-to-Late Period Ancestral Muwekma Ohlone Cemetery located at 282 Almaden Boulevard, City of San Jose, Santa Clara County, California. The recovered burial was inadvertently discovered on January 24, 2012 by a construction crew excavating a trench and footings for a concrete overhang canopy at the rear entrance to the newly renovated Hyatt Place Hotel. The Hyatt Place Hotel, previously known as the Holiday Inn, which was originally constructed in 1977 and was the location of a major prehistoric cemetery/residential village locality historically recorded as CA-SCL-128 (The Holiday Inn Site).
ABSTRACT Treating cemeteries as single analytical units masks significant and behaviorally meanin... more ABSTRACT Treating cemeteries as single analytical units masks significant and behaviorally meaningful patterns. With high resolution radiocarbon dating of a large number of burials, we show how interments at CA-CCO-548 in central California shifted spatially, temporally, and stylistically across the site. Some interment attributes such as burial position changed little over time, while others such as orientation drifted markedly. We suggest that the former burial attributes mark stable and perhaps biologically mediated aspects of ancient societies such as generation or birth order, while the latter mark affiliation in groups that vary in popularity such as clan or religious affiliation. Furthermore, the data suggest that variation, not conformity to a single rule, is the norm for interment style.
Interpersonal aggression is assessed paleoepidemiologically in a large skeletal population from t... more Interpersonal aggression is assessed paleoepidemiologically in a large skeletal population from the CA‐ALA‐329 site located on the southeastern side of San Francisco Bay, California. This comprehensive analysis included all currently recognized skeletal criteria, including craniofacial fracture, projectile injury, forearm fracture, and perimortem bone modification. Craniofacial injury is moderately common, showing an adult prevalence of 9.0% with facial lesions accounting for >50% of involvement. Clinical studies suggest that such separate evaluation of facial involvement provides a useful perspective for understanding patterns of interpersonal aggression. In this group male facial involvement is significantly greater than in females, paralleling the pattern found widely in contemporary populations as well as in African apes. When compared to other North American skeletal samples the prevalence of adult cranial vault injury (3.3%) and especially projectile injury (4.4%) are quite...
Forensic archaeology is the application of archaeological theory and methods to medicolegal cases... more Forensic archaeology is the application of archaeological theory and methods to medicolegal cases, including searching for, locating, surveying, sampling, recording, and interpreting evidence, as well as the recovery and documentation of human remains and associated evidence. A location where remains are found is called a scene or recovery scene, and common scene types include surface, burial, submerged, and fire scenes. Processing a scene typically involves the search, recovery, and documentation of evidence, and is an inherently destructive process that permanently alters the context of the area and items located there. Documentation and preservation of contextual information is therefore critically important.
Skeletal trauma can be characterized by its timing in relation to the death event as well as the ... more Skeletal trauma can be characterized by its timing in relation to the death event as well as the mechanism that caused the trauma. Bones are objects that obey physical laws and understanding bone's response to force can help interpret how fractures may have occurred. The primary forces that cause skeletal fractures are compression, tension, bending, shear, and torsion.
Forensic anthropology is an evolving discipline that continues to broaden in both depth and scope... more Forensic anthropology is an evolving discipline that continues to broaden in both depth and scope. Forensic anthropologists work within an interdisciplinary framework in which a skeletal analysis is usually a single component of a much larger investigation. In recent years, forensic anthropologists have expanded from domestic casework to mass disaster victim identification efforts, international human rights investigations, and the identification of undocumented border crosses (e.g., Mexican nationals).
Forensic anthropological analyses depend on a thorough knowledge of human osteology and odontolog... more Forensic anthropological analyses depend on a thorough knowledge of human osteology and odontology, including bone and tooth morphology, features, related anatomical terminology, internal composition, and growth and development. The skeleton serves many functions including support, movement, protection, storage, and blood production. The adult human skeleton consists of approximately 206 bones, including those of the skull (cranium and mandible), axial skeleton (ribs, vertebrae, hyoid, sternum), and the appendicular skeleton (upper limb, lower limb, and supporting structures).
This chapter reviews the process of determining whether material is of interest to the medicolega... more This chapter reviews the process of determining whether material is of interest to the medicolegal system, including the differentiation of skeletal from non-skeletal material, human from non-human remains, and contemporary from non-contemporary remains, and outlines the various types of cases that may be sent to a forensic anthropologist for examination. The determination of skeletal or non-skeletal origin is typically accomplished by gross visual examination, but when material is small, taphonomically compromised, or lacking morphological features, this may be accomplished by using radiography, microscopy, or elemental analysis such as X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Differences between human and non-human skeletal remains are primarily related to architecture (shape) as a result of locomotory pattern (bipedal versus quadrupedal). The determination of human or non-human origin is typically accomplished by gross visual examination, but other specialized techniques may also be employed including histology or protein-based methods. The determination of contemporary or non-contemporary is typically based on observations of taphonomy, context, and biocultural information. Radiocarbon dating may also be useful in determining the antiquity of remains.
Stature estimations from skeletal remains are possible because there is a relationship between bo... more Stature estimations from skeletal remains are possible because there is a relationship between bone lengths and height. Stature is most accurately measured using full skeleton methods, which utilize measurements of all bones that contribute to stature. Stature is most often estimated using regression methods, which utilize the mathematical relationship (correlation) between bone lengths and stature using regression formulae. Stature may be estimated using incomplete bones and non-long bones, but these methods have considerably higher error than intact long bones. Stature estimations can be carried out manually or using software packages such as Fordisc. Estimating stature of juveniles from skeletal material is generally considered unadvisable because known statures of juveniles are quickly out of date, and there are few studies on the estimation of stature from juvenile remains. Caution should be exercised when comparing estimated statures to missing persons records. “Known” stature can refer to many things which may not necessarily represent the true biological height. Self-reported statures may be subject to bias and should be taken into consideration when comparing indicated antemortem statures to forensic estimates.
Stable isotope analysis of human bone may reveal differential access to dietary resources due to ... more Stable isotope analysis of human bone may reveal differential access to dietary resources due to social inequality. Stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes can provide invaluable insight into past populations at the level of the individual. This poster will take a biocultural approach to examining individuals who lived in Medieval Asturias, Spain, and will investigate the relationship between diet and mortuary status reflected by ad sanctos burial (burials within a church) compared to lower status burials from outside of a church. Theoretically, individuals buried ad sanctos may have consumed different diets due to their high status, and status may be perceived through mortuary context and investigated with isotopic analysis of bone.
Forensic archaeology has emerged as a distinct discipline over the past three decades, although i... more Forensic archaeology has emerged as a distinct discipline over the past three decades, although its value was recognized as early as the 1970s. Today, forensic archaeologists assist with domestic outdoor scenes, fire scenes, in the search and excavation of mass graves, in the recovery of remains from past wars and conflicts, and in mass fatality incidents. The application of archaeological methods to outdoor forensic scenes includes the search, location, excavation, and recovery of human remains and other kinds of forensic evidence. Forensic archaeology has been integral to the investigations of missing persons cases, and practitioners are often called upon to assist with the recovery of human remains and forensic evidence from surface scattered scenes, clandestine graves, fire scenes, and large scale mass disaster scenes. This chapter provides a general overview of forensic archaeological methods and also discusses innovations in the analysis of outdoor scenes and fire scenes.
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