The Jared Site: A Comanche Burial at Fort Sill,Oklahoma

Abstract

A late-19th century ravine burial from Southwest Oklahoma is described. The site is compared with historic and anthropological records to document a nineteenth century Comanche burial practice.     

The Olson Mound (39BF223) in Buffalo County,South Dakota

Abstract

A low, dome-shaped, earthern tumulus was excavated during the summer of 1957. The mound contained poorly preserved remains of a secondary burial in a shallow, sub-mound pit. Three individuals were represented in the burial.

Artifactual associations were sparse.They consisted of one simplestamped body sherd, 2 end scrapers,4 knives; 1 drill and 3 mealing stone fragments.

Similarities between this mound and other sites in the vicinity are discussed. An appendix contains the analysis of the identifiable skeletal material.     

Comments On the Preceramic in Missouri*

Abstract

In the Plains periphery of the Central Area, Missouri, extensive preceramic remains are found. Well recognized complexe s with Paleo-Indian connections are Nebo Hill, Sedalia, Graham Cave Levels 6-4, andArnoldResearch Cave. Radiocarbon dates range from 7738 B. C. to 4322 B. C. Other preceramic complexes described from excavations include the Hatten Mound component and the Lincoln County burial site, in the Northwest Prairie; Blackwell Component A in the Ozark Highland; and the Jakie L2 and L3 components dated at 5112 B. C. to 4422 B. C. in the Southwest Drainage. Surface collections from all areas indicate preceramic occupations.     

Burned Rock Midden Sites on the Southwestern Edge of the Edwards Plateau,Texas

Abstract

Data from two groups of burned rock midden sites are presented. Occupation of the sites seems to have been heaviest during Archaic times, with some Late Prehistoric and possible Paleo-Indian components also recognized. A burial is described from one site. Problems pertaining to burned rock midden sites are briefly discussed.     

The Turk Burial Site, 48WA301

Abstract

This fissure burial in the southern mountains contained four adults and one child. Its age is estimated to be between 100 and 300 years, and the anthropometric evidence is consistent with a Shoshonean affiliation. Though considerably disturbed prior to investigation, the site yielded important information about the burial mode and artifacts of a fairly recent people.     

A Late Woodland Burial from Platte County,Missouri

Abstract

A skeleton of a female discovered in a grave located on the west bank of Short Creek, Platte County, Missouri provides some of the first evidence for mortuary practices and human morphology for the Western Missouri-Eastern Kansas Late Woodland. The burial is a bundle type, with most of the bones placed in a central heap. Analysis of the distribution of the bones indicates that some soh tissue was still adhering to the skeleton at the time of the secondary burial. Bones of the right hand and foot and the vertebral column from cervical 7 to the coccyx are the only remains preserved in anatomical order. Many of the long bones appear to have been broken and there is also some evidence for burning and fleshing of the skeleton before final interment. Measurements of the cranial and post-cranial skeleton are given for comparison with future Late Woodland discoveries.     

A Late Prehistoric Bundle Burial From Southern Wyomingc

Abstract

A Late Prehistoric bundle burial from the Stone Fence Site in south-central Wyoming produced partial skeletal remains of a middle-aged male of Shoshonean biological affinities.A total of 19 bone beads were found in the grave. Both osteological and cultural interpretations were possible from the previously undisturbed grave and its contents.     

Archeological Investigations at the Spawn Mound, 39LK201, Lake County,South Dakota

Abstract

The Spawn Mound, 39LK201, overlooking Brant Lake in eastern South Dakota, appears to be a Plains Woodland burial mound later used by historic Dakota for secondary interments. The 1966 excavations revealed two burial pits believed to be contemporaneous with the erection of the mound, which were assigned to the Plains Woodland component, and a third pit at the center of the mound which has been assigned to the historic Dakota. Each of the Woodland burial pits contained at least three individuals buried in the flexed position. The intrusive pit contained the remains of at least two individuals, apparently “bundle” burials. These intrusive burials were accompanied by European trade items.

On the basis of the limited ceramic material from the mound, including one rim sherd of the Ellis Cord Impressed type, as well as various lithic materials recovered in the mound fill, the Plains Woodland component has been tentatively assigned to the Loseke Focus. The historic burials would appear to date between A. D. 1800-1850.     

Complexity in Arikara Mortuary Practice

Abstract

Traditionally, Arikara mortuary practice has been described as direct interment soon after death in wood-covered pits. This interpretation explains most of the ethnohistorical and archeological data, but not all. Some ethnohistorical, archeological, and entomological evidence suggests scaffolding prior to burial.     

The remains of a fossil Soft-shelled Turtle (Trionyx) from the Bayraktepe area (Turkey)

Abstract

The remains of the pectoral girdle (scapulocoracoid) and carapace of Trionyx sp. which were found in the Upper Miocene sediments of Bayraktepe are described and discussed.     

Archaic Skeletal Remains from the Central Plains: Demography and Burial Practices

Abstract

Recently a number of reports on Plains Archaic skeletal material have been published which quadruple the number of burials described and analyzed in the literature. Although the total number of burials is still relatively small, it is large enough to allow research to begin in paieodemographic aspects of the central part of thePlains and the suggestion of burial patterns for these materials. By combining all Archaic burials from the Plains a demographic profile has been developed. It is compared with other Archaic populations from the eastern United States, and with a Plains population dating after A.O. 1000. The results of the analysis show that with few exceptions burial patterns and the demographic picture of the Plains are quite stable over time, although differences are found in metric and non-metric variations in both the time and space continua. The analysis further shows that certain anomalous conditions in the skeleton appear to be much more prevalent inArchaic material than in recent material from the same area. The results finally suggest that Archaic people in the demographic and burial practice continua are quite similar to later populations, at least through Middle Mississippian populationsin the Plains.     

Intracemetery Morphological Variation in Arikara Crania From The Sully Site (39SL4), Sully County,South Dakota

Abstract

Canonical analysis is used to examine intracemetery variation in cranial morphology in the Sully site Arikara skeletal collection. The site included four spatially distinct burial areas. lnterarea morphological differences in the crania are shown to relate to the multicomponent nature of the associated village. The proposed temporal relationships based on archaeological data are supported by the cranial evidence.     

The ecology of mosses on a sand dune in Victoria,Australia

Abstract

The ability of eight mosses to with stand the harsh environment of a coastal sand-dune in Victoria (Australia) has been investigated. It is shown that some species are able to re-vegetate areas which have been disturbed by wind, rabbits and vehicles. Their differing performances in relation to growth, rhizoid strength, and withstanding salt spray and sand burial, equip them for different niches. The ratio of dry weights of gametophore/rhizoids is suggested as an indicator of stage of revegetation.     

The Eureka and Comstock Mounds,Southwestern Missouri

Abstract

Two rock and earth mounds in the Stockton Reservoir area provide data on two separate burial complexes previously unknownin thewestern Ozark Highlands. The Eureka Mound contained primary inhwnations with associations similar to those innearby Woodland and Mississippian mounds, but is unique in yielding a Caddoan water bottle of the Spiro Engraved type, and is dated about A. D. 1000-1450. This trade vessel, and Caddoan sherds from other sites in southwestern Missouri, provides leads to Caddoan contacts with groups in the Ozark Highlands. The Comstock Mound contained a single primary burial in a central pit associated with White trade goods which date around A.D. 1800. The mound may be of Osage Indian origin, but this identification is open to question because of transient Indian groups pas sing through the area about A. D. 1800.     

Mobridge Site Cemeteries: Controversy Concerning The Location Of The Over And Stirling Burials

Abstract

During the 1920's, W.H. Over and M.W. Stirling excavated skeletal material from cemeteries at the Mobridge site. Their records are not clear as to the exact location of burial recovery. Mobridge has at least three distinct burial areas (Features 1, 2, and 3), and there are craniometric and temporal differences among them. A comparison of crania from Features 1, 2, and 3 with the Over and Stirling samples gives some insight as to the location of their burials. Burials excavated by Over classify primarily with Feature 2, indicating this to be their point of origin. A few burials from Feature 1 also appear to be represented. Stirling's sample groups with areas 1 and 3. His sample possibly originated there, although it seems more likely that they came from a location north of the village which dates to the same time period as Features 1 and 3 and represents the same population.     

A new species of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Baierella</Emphasis> from the Krasnyi Yar locality,Early Cretaceous of western Transbaikalia

Plant remains of Baierella R. Potonié (Ginkgoales) were found for the first time in the Lower Cretaceous deposits of the Khilok Formation (Buryatia Republic), where they form a thin coal bed. A new species, B. averianovii, is described from the Krasnyi Yar locality. The monodominant burial of the new species in combination with pollen grains of Ginkgocycadophytus prevailing in the relevant palynological assemblage allows the authors to reconstruct a monospecific woody wetland plant community.     

A Woodland Burial from Boney Spring,Missouri

Abstract

A secondary burial from a peat layer adjoining the spring feeder at Boney Spring, Benton County, southwestern Missouri, is identified as a young adult male, interred about A.D. 50. The burial, associated with Early Woodland materials in the peat bed, was less than one meter from the edge of the spring feeder in deposits once saturated with water - suggesting that the burial (and associated Woodland features) was made at a time of reduced spring discharge and, perhaps, during a period of reduced precipitation. The burial is well within the limits of characteristics recorded for eastern Archaic groups, lending support to the hypothesis of continuity between the Archaic and Early Woodland peoples in the American Midwest.