The Significance of Soft Tissue Preservation in Human Burials
By: Heather Zimmerman Session One
Soft Tissue Preservation
Soft tissue preservation in human burials can be witnessed in a number of sites around the world
These sites include: Menorca, Spain Florida, US Jutland Peninsula, Denmark
La Cova des Pas
Located in Ferreries, Menorca
This cave is a necropolis that dates to the Late Bronze Age
– Most likely used between 1200 and 800 BC
Scientists have identified 70 individuals
Scientists found various types of soft tissue at this site
Soft Tissue Remains in La Cova Des Pas
Soft Tissue Remains in La Cova Des Pas
Windover Pond
Located in Titusville, Florida Nearly 170 individuals were located at this site The remains date to between 6,990 years and
8,120 years ago The walls of the pond consisted of peat 91 skulls were found to contain brain tissue
– Some contained complete brains
Soft Tissue Discoveries at Windover
Denmark Bog Bodies
Ex. Tollund Man
His remains were found on the Jutland Peninsula in Denmark
His remains date to the Early Iron Age, about 2,400 years ago
The remains were found in a bog/swamp high in peat which allowed for high preservation
Tollund Man Preservation
Importance of These Discoveries
What can we do with this information?
References
Windover Pond:
http://www.nbbd.com/godo/history/windover/#Radiocarbon Dating
Cova des Pas:
http://www.uib.es/noticies/?contentId=147232
http://www.uib.es/depart/dha/prehistoria/inves0708/Cova_des_Pas.pdf
http://www.illesbalears.es/ing/balearicislands/history2.jsp?SEC=HIS&id=00000992&lang=0004
Tollund Man:
http://www.tollundman.dk/
http://www.greatarchaeology.com/tollund_man.htm
Rapp, G. R. & Hill, C. L. (2006). Geoarchaeology: The earth-science approach to archaeological interpretation.
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