Anthropological Curiosities

One of the advantages to curating a Anthropological news blog is that I have been very successful and keeping up to date on interesting new Archaeological finds and other anthropological research. Calling it Anthropological Curiosities, referencing early cabinets of curiosity and the early Anthropologists that created them, I have come across numerous interesting stories relating to death and interesting excavations.

I thought I would post a few interesting stories that I have found recently that are related to interesting cases of accidental or premeditated mortuary finds.

The most recent example is the excavation of human remains found in Bronze age Pots.

Such burials are recognized as common cremation burials, and this particular find contains enough bone that analysis of age, gender and any pathologies may be possible. Found at the base of a Standing stone in Britain, it may be interesting what attempts will be made to identify the relationship between the burial and the stone.

Although this article is rather brief, and serves more of an introduction to the finds, it is a good indication of the variety of known burial practices.


The second example I would like to illustrate is quite intriguing. It consists of an excavation completed on a group of Roman soldiers (Article here) that perished during a battle with a group of Persian foes. Taking place in 256AD, these remains, as well as the remains of a Persian warrior (Pictured Below) are believed to be the first evidence of chemical warfare.

Though it is generally believed that  chemical warfare was not uncommon, this seems to be the first hard evidence of such practices archaeologically. Evidence of high concentrations of sulfur and other chemical agents around the remains strongly suggest something extraordinary. As the battle and deaths took place in a confined subterranean tunnel, it does indeed seem plausible that utilizing this tactic would have been extremely effective in such a confined space.

This study, published in January and based off of archaeology completed in the 1930`s can be suspect, as no new primary research was completed. All evidence, however, does merit consideration and it might be beneficial to look into the scholarly evidence in addition to the news release in order to form my own conclusions.

 

 

Having taken it upon myself to constantly keep in the loop with Anthropological news, I have greatly increased my immersion into Archaeology. It is definitely something I plan to continue.

-SDP

Ross Bay Monument Analysis

      In search of Angel grave markers, inspired by the existence of the Pooley Angel (Marker 2 on the map below), we began our exploration of the Ross Bay Cemetery. Unexpectedly, we were came across very few other angel monuments but were instead inspired by the sheer variation of originality of many grave markers. Our goal then shifted to an inspection of grand and visually inspiring markers. In this, we hoped we would be able to glean information as to the possible socio-economic standing in relation to the likelihood of elaborate (seemingly expensive) grave markers. Building upon this, we have decided to correlate this socio-economic standing and the possibility of family groupings of graves under the same markers.

  Our inspection of unique grave markers prompted us to outline 11 monuments, both new and old. We have mapped them in order to find links between placement in the cemetery, age of the graves and likely economic standing. By utilizing these diagnostic examples, while still being aware of other relevant  markers such as mausoleums, it became apparent that there was a greater concentration within the North East portion of the cemetery. The examples within this area generally seem to be elaborate and large. Judging by the dates on many markers, it is safe to assume that this is also one of the oldest sections of the yard. As we move South, and eventually east towards and along the ocean, though we see much variation and exemplary graves, they tend to be smaller in scale and slightly less ornate. However, the western edge and south-western perimeter show less diversity and more regulated patterning of basic markers. Through this layout inferences can be made as to the wealth and standing of individuals buried. The older, north-eastern corner can be interpreted as having a higher concentration of wealthy individuals. This can be somewhat misleading, as we do find many smaller markers, though in general we see higher concentrations of figures and other notable markers. Moving towards the south-east, situated between the Chinese and First Nations sections of Ross Bay (Adams, 1983) we again find small concentrations of unique grave markers. These seem to be more recent, and though smaller than the aforementioned examples, indicate that the individuals were wealthier than those surrounding them and desired uniqueness. Although we do see a spread of large markers, it does appear that certain areas of the cemetery contain greater concentrations of such graves.
 
Our second focus was to inspect the graves and see if we can determine any patterns in family graves. In this, we inspected grave transcriptions to see if it was possible to find whole families being represented by these large markers. In this, we were able to see a much greater distinction between the main north-eastern versus south-western concentrations. With the exception of the baby chair (though separate plaques for family members exist in close relation), all in the older corner of the yard contain transcriptions of whole families being kept together. For example, the Bossi grave (map item 1) includes Giacomo Bossi, in addition to his wife and children (Adams, 1983). Interestingly, Giacomo's daughter died roughly 30 years after any of the others and this has been clearly indicated. Similar trends are found throughout this conglomeration, as well as the Behnson grave, which is slightly more southern in orientation. The other grouping is quite different however. Graves such as the Eagle, sundial and tree trunk are either placed for an individual or a simply a couple. As these graves tend to be more recent, a change in burial techniques can be inferred. This can also serve to outline different cultural practices concerning death within a family or society (Binford, 1971). Less emphasis was placed on keeping whole families together underneath one massive stone monument and instead a greater focus was placed on the individual.

By examining grave differences we were able to determine basic pattern and grouping changes. Though we had not anticipated change over time, by looking at family relations we were able to see a divergence away from large family burials, and instead much and emphasis was put on the individual. By walking through the whole cemetery there were definite concentrations of simple and elaborate burials, which we can assume mark preferred burial plots. The later unique burials generally seemed to be smaller, though still differentiated and raised above other simple stones or plaques. This gives insight into divergent socio-economic standing and the ability to afford a family or personal monument. By only conducting an initial overview of the cemetery we are limited in making exact interpretations we can begin to make inferences. With a larger scale study, including all monuments found in the cemetery,  we would be able to conclusively prove all of these related aspects.

References Consulted:

1. Adams, J. 1983. Historic guide to Ross Bay Cemetery. Victoria, BC: Sono Nis Press.

2. Binford, L. 1971. Mortuary practices: Their study and their potential. Memoirs of the Society for American Archaeology, (25), 6-29.

View Ross Bay Cemetery in a larger map

Uncontacted Tribe

OK, so this isn't Death related. Or even archaeology. But it's a pretty cool video anthropologically and maybe someone will be interested.

SDP

A couple thoughts on Gender

Gender in archaeology has been coming up in most of my classes these past 2 weeks. This topic is definitely something I would expect to cover, but it is interesting to have all this overlap. Definitely makes it hard NOT to think about a topic when I am constantly reading or talking about it.

I personally find this to be quite a cantankerous subject as much of the time I find it is impossible to be certain of any factors, and even when the information we are presented with is said to be true there is always the possibility of gender biases. I certainly understand that often ethnographic data points us in the right direction in associating certain types of grave goods with a specific gender, but what about cases where you do not have direct knowledge of this sort. Are archaeologists therefore placing their predisposed notions of gender roles upon newly excavated graves of previously unknown cultures?

Osteological inferences can be used, but for older cultures there is always the possibility that remains will not be preserved. In these cases I find it EXTREMELY difficult to make gender assumptions. Perhaps the individual that you are exhuming was female, but a male counterpart was burying them and decided to place a personal item of his into the grave as protection or a method of mourning?

Though many cases can be accurately determined, I often think about the individuals that cannot be placed within a particular gender category. For me, this simply raises more questions and forces me to be more critical when trying to understand the roles of individuals in the past.

SDP

16,500 year old Cemeteries and Domesticated Animals

Excavations that have been in progress for the past 10 years in Jordan have revealed some interesting practices, in some very old cemeteries.

Specific finds indicate that there were early attempts at domestication of the small red fox, previous to the widespread domestication of dogs.

The fox remains that were found were in close association with human remains, and appear to have been moved when the human remains were moved. It is stated that this indicated a close relationship in life, and therefore an attempt was make to keep the remains together.

According to studies undertaken on the possibilities of Domesticating foxes, it is highly unlikely to be a successful undertaking. They are shy and skittish, in comparison to dogs.

However, it is difficult to be certain if this was the case this far in the past. Perhaps as more information is published more will become clear.

Check out the article here if you are interested.

Ancient Tools May Mark Earlier Path Out of Africa

This isn't necessarily death related, but it is Archaeology and I thought others may be interested.


Check it out

Streaming the Dead

A recent article in the New York Times discussed the growing trend in live web feeds of funerals. This has progressed to a point where software companies are actually creating programs specifically suited to putting any funeral on the web.

From a certain view, I can see it being an outlet for streaming celebrity funerals (They used the Michael Jackson Example) to a wide audience of fans. As a fan would you really want to see the funeral of someone you admired in life, but didn't have any personal relationship with? To me it seems pretty odd that anyone would want to do this, and it makes the actual funeral so much less personal.

On the other hand, what if you were unable to travel across the world to see your Grandmothers funeral, but beyond all doubt want to be present. This could therefore be used to include a larger family audience that is not in attendance.

Kind of an interesting idea, though potentially weird at the same time.

Click here to check out the article.

Time to excavate!

I have been entombed successfully on the coast of Vancouver Island. All of this has been done in secret in a remote mountain forest, and because of this my tomb has miraculously remained untouched for 1000 years.

It is now roughly the year 3000 and quite obviously a lot has changed in this time. Technology has continued to accelerate, the population of Vancouver Island has continue to grow until approximately 600 years ago when the big wave hit. This disastrous event was far more destructive than anticipated and has lowered portions of the island and forced almost all to evacuate.

Archaeologists have moved back to the island in order to examine what kind of burials may have been hastily completed before evacuation. As can be expected, many of the dead were washed out into the ocean, and many have been brought back to the coast with the tide. Time has buried many of these bodies, and a veritable coastal barrier of graves exists not too far under the surface. Further inland and on higher hilltops are the hastily made burials. Though I'm sure these are fascinating, it isn't nearly as exciting as finding a tomb that looks like this:

As the archaeologists moved further up into the mountains they come across this giant structure. As there is not any evidence of anything like this anywhere else on the island it is quite the discovery.

Thankfully it was not hit too hard by the wave, there there is quite a lot of water damage and in disarray. What was once a well organized, orderly tomb is now in shambles.

Thousands of books litter the floor, and as it has been so long and moisture has damaged much of the writing it is impossible to read any of them. This is also a time when technology has replaced most written texts and finding such a big collection is surprising. The Archaeologists decide that all these blank damaged books have been interpreted as being chronicles of my life, as i must have been (but wasn't) someone pretty important with a tomb like this. Many books have been interpreted as being originally blank, which the archaeologists see has means to record my time in the afterlife.

My skateboard hasn't held up perfectly but was stored within its own alcove so it has remained relatively stationary. It is possible to see the platform and the wheels, and again on the path of thinking that I was important, this was probably how I was wheeled around by hired help in life.

The drums pose quite a conundrum (pun intended?). Musical instruments have all become digital. Very few examples of acoustic music making practices remain. The skins covering the drums have been eroded or eaten away by small creatures. All that is left is a thin, red veneer and some metal fittings. Animals have made homes in all of the rings and it is difficult to interpret what, if anything, was in them previously. It is very possible that they were simply barrels or some other container which may have held food for me in the afterlife.

These Archaeologists are unable to determine who I am, but are able to interpret that this tomb was made long before the wave and are not able to concentrate on it too much initially because they were sent to study mass wave burials.

Perhaps one day they will come back and learn the truth.

Bury me now, and I will excavate later.

So its time for me to get buried. I've died of some horrible affliction and everyone I know is really quite saddened by it. I usually would not be terribly interested in being entombed for eternity with a whole slew of items, but on the very day I died I have decided to be extremely materialistic and i just NEED all of my favorite things to accompany me.

Hanging on to the last remnants of life I have only moments to try and outline to my family, specifically my sister and mother, what kind of items I will need to keep me occupied for all of time. I am able to utter 3 words as I drift off, and I have to hope they are interpreted correctly.

Music
Book
Wheels.

Alright, so these are not THAT difficult to interpret correctly, considering how well they know me.

1. It would be completely logical if a couple albums were simply thrown in, but I want a big tomb and a lot of open space, so why not simply bury me with my drums? I have the most fun when banging on them so they should probably stay with me.

2. Considering I worked at a bookstore while I was alive it is little surprise that books are pretty important to me. I am definitely going to need some in the afterlife to keep me occupied. I have quite a few books already, but I might as well just get a whole library, Right?

3. I like to go fast, and I like to go fast while rolling on my skateboard. Obviously I am not going to be going very far while in my tomb, but my skateboard is too precious to me to be left behind. 

That seems like a pretty good assemblage of items to me. Now i just need to find a tomb. A grave isn't nearly fancy enough for me.

How about something like this? Excessive? Most certainly, but while I'm dreaming I might as well hope for something as beautiful as this. 

I will just have find somewhere here on Vancouver island to sneak in something like this.

Next I will jump ahead a couple hundred (or thousand) years in the future and become an Archaeologist excavating the mysterious tomb of Polkey. 

-SDP

Time to talk about the dead!

Blog Created!

My name is Shane (Obviously!) and I am a 4th year Anthropology student focusing on Archaeology. I have previously gone to school for Visual Arts and I am working towards combining these interests and studying Rock Art and other prehistoric Art making!

I recently traveled to Africa (Rwanda & Botswana) to volunteer and do field school. It was awesome, and I cannot wait to go back!

More to come!

-SDP