A bioarchaeological analysis of human remains from the Aronin burial site
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Transcript of A bioarchaeological analysis of human remains from the Aronin burial site
A bioarchaeological A bioarchaeological analysis of human analysis of human
remains from the Aronin remains from the Aronin burial siteburial site
By Elise ValdésBy Elise Valdés
Department of AnthropologyDepartment of Anthropology
Southern Illinois University Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville
Aronin Burial SiteAronin Burial Site
Grundy County, IllinoisGrundy County, Illinois
Excavated in 1950’s and 1970’sExcavated in 1950’s and 1970’s
Skeletal remains recoveredSkeletal remains recovered
Affiliated with Potawatomi Affiliated with Potawatomi (O’Gorman and Farnsworth, 1995; Temple, 1958)(O’Gorman and Farnsworth, 1995; Temple, 1958)
One of few Late Historic sites in ILOne of few Late Historic sites in IL
PotawatomiPotawatomi
The historic PotawatomiThe historic Potawatomi– Displaced by 1800Displaced by 1800– Officially removed in 1830’sOfficially removed in 1830’s
Material remains Material remains (O’Gorman and Farnsworth, 1995)(O’Gorman and Farnsworth, 1995)
– Characteristic of the fur trade Characteristic of the fur trade – More utilitarian than other sitesMore utilitarian than other sites
GoalsGoals
1) Reconstruct biological identities of 1) Reconstruct biological identities of main individual and commingled main individual and commingled individualsindividuals– Age, Sex, StatureAge, Sex, Stature
2) Inventory and analyze commingled 2) Inventory and analyze commingled remainsremains
3) Identify pathologies on the bones3) Identify pathologies on the bones
MethodsMethods Illinois State MuseumIllinois State Museum Standard bioarchaeological methods used Standard bioarchaeological methods used
to reconstruct:to reconstruct:– AgeAge– SexSex– StatureStature– MNIMNI
Published references used to Published references used to identify/diagnose pathologyidentify/diagnose pathology
Fig 1. Taking measurements of bone
ResultsResults
6 individuals represented in 6 individuals represented in commingled remainscommingled remains
Single nearly complete individual: Single nearly complete individual: Individual DIndividual D
Bones in good condition but Bones in good condition but fragmentaryfragmentary
ResultsResults
Commingled RemainsCommingled RemainsIndividual Elements Age Sex Stature
Individual BMandible with teeth, occipital,
temporal, 8-10 years u/n u/n
Individual C Frontal, Parietal, Occipital, 6-7 years u/n u/n
Individual F Occipital 3-12 years u/n u/n
Individual G Occipital 6 mo. to 1 year u/n u/n
Individual H Humerus, radius, ulna, tibia (R) adult over 20 F 62.7 in ± 3.3
Individual I Humerus, radius, ulna (all L) adult over 20 M? 68.5 in ± 4.1
ResultsResults
Individual DIndividual DAge Sex Stature Pathology
35-45 years Male 68.7 in
Periostitis, arthritis, broken ribs, toe and vertebrae, trauma at
the elbow
Results
Individual D: Evidence of Trauma
Interpretation of Individual B
– Poor health– Earring at burial?
Interpretation of Individual D
Individual D
– Trauma: Mostly right side of body
Possibly due to a fall
Not cause of death
Relationship to status of Potawatomi
Late Historic was a tense timeLate Historic was a tense time
Individuals had very difficult livesIndividuals had very difficult lives
Numerous young peopleNumerous young people
Brief glimpse into burial practicesBrief glimpse into burial practices
Acknowledgements Thanks to the URCA for funding my project Thanks to the Illinois State Museum for letting me
work with the collection and to Dawn Cobb for her excellent mentorship
Thanks to Dr. Jen Rehg for her wonderful help and guidance
Thanks to the Anthropology Dept. for supporting and encouraging me during the past four years
Thanks to my family and friends for all your support and encouragement
Without all of you this project would not have been possible
ReferencesReferences Citizen Potawatomi Nation. (2008). History. Citizen Potawatomi Nation. (2008). History.
Retrieved march 30, 2010 from Retrieved march 30, 2010 from http://www.potawatomi.org/Culture/History/default.aspx
O’Gorman JA, Farnsworth KB. 1995. Trade and O’Gorman JA, Farnsworth KB. 1995. Trade and tradition: European trade goods and Late Historic tradition: European trade goods and Late Historic mortuary sites in Illinois. Illinois Archaeology 7: mortuary sites in Illinois. Illinois Archaeology 7: 109-147.109-147.
Winger, O. 1939. The Potawatomi Indians. Elgin Winger, O. 1939. The Potawatomi Indians. Elgin Press, Elgin, IllinoisPress, Elgin, Illinois
Temple WC. 1958. Indian villages of the Illinois Temple WC. 1958. Indian villages of the Illinois Country: Historic tribes. Illinois State Museum, Country: Historic tribes. Illinois State Museum, Scientific Papers, vol. 2, pt. 2. Springfield, IL: Illinois Scientific Papers, vol. 2, pt. 2. Springfield, IL: Illinois State Museum.State Museum.
Wenner D Jr, 1954. Burials at Morris Illinois. Ms on Wenner D Jr, 1954. Burials at Morris Illinois. Ms on file, Illinois State Museum, Springfield.file, Illinois State Museum, Springfield.