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The taphonomy of cannibalism: a review of anthropogenic bone modification in the American Southwest
Author(s) -
Hurlbut Sharon A.
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
international journal of osteoarchaeology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.738
H-Index - 60
eISSN - 1099-1212
pISSN - 1047-482X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1099-1212(200001/02)10:1<4::aid-oa502>3.0.co;2-q
Subject(s) - taphonomy , cannibalism , human bone , fragmentation (computing) , zooarchaeology , archaeology , human skeleton , geology , ecology , paleontology , biology , geography , anatomy , predation , biochemistry , in vitro
Abstract 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.