Can commingled human remains be useful in reconstructing life during the Neolithic? A case study from Xemxija, Malta.

Summary

Osteological material has historically been underexploited in archaeological research.  This is most directly true of commingled assemblages which present an exclusively difficult challenge to bioarchaeologists.  The commingled assemblage here examined is the result of the episodic usage of rock-cut tombs, advanced in post-mortem fracture, and disruption during transport and storage. The aim of this study is to reconstruct skeletal profiles, age, sex, and pathological demographics through the analysis of a commingled Neolithic assemblage from Xemxija, Malta. Using well established skeletal recording systems and emerging methods dedicated to the complications inherent in commingling, roughly 10,000 fragmented elements were recorded. High levels of fragmentation rendered traditional osteological assessments impossible. Where conventional research methods could not be applied, the assemblage provided samples of Neolithic Maltese pathology, evidence of burial customs, and a high survivorship of juvenile remains. This study addresses the limitations of data accessible when working with high levels of fragmentation, and endeavors to highlight information such assemblages can provide.

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This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Society for American Archaeology 80th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2015)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage