Please join us for our first Lunch and Learn of the semester! Dr. J. Marla Toyne will be presenting on the Osteological Challenges of Commingled Partially Articulated and Mummified Individuals From Diablo Wasi, Peru.
The event will be held in person in Howard Phillips Hall room 409M and via Zoom on Tuesday, Oct. 22 from 1– 2 p.m.
Join virtually here.
Abstract:
Traditional osteological analyses following the excavation of human remains from burial contexts involves the observation of individual skeletal elements. However, at the archaeological site of Diablo Wasi, Peru (Late Intermediate Period 1000-1450 AD), open chamber tombs contained the superficially deposited individuals. Due to substantial damage from looters who ripped open the textile bundles, the well- preserved human remains were exposed and ended up (partially and completely) disarticulated in a large, commingled collection. We developed a new recording method to account for all the skeletal elements present, but also to allow for those partially articulated elements and partially mummified individuals. These observations reveal much about mortuary practices, looting behavior, and the flexibility required in osteological field and lab methods.
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