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A bioarchaeological analysis of human remains from the Aronin burial site

A bioarchaeological analysis of human remains from the Aronin burial site. By Elise Valdés Department of Anthropology Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Aronin Burial Site. Grundy County, Illinois Excavated in 1950’s and 1970’s Skeletal remains recovered

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A bioarchaeological analysis of human remains from the Aronin burial site

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  1. A bioarchaeological analysis of human remains from the Aronin burial site By Elise Valdés Department of Anthropology Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

  2. Aronin Burial Site • Grundy County, Illinois • Excavated in 1950’s and 1970’s • Skeletal remains recovered • Affiliated with Potawatomi (O’Gorman and Farnsworth, 1995; Temple, 1958) • One of few Late Historic sites in IL

  3. Potawatomi • The historic Potawatomi • Displaced by 1800 • Officially removed in 1830’s • Material remains (O’Gorman and Farnsworth, 1995) • Characteristic of the fur trade • More utilitarian than other sites

  4. Goals 1) Reconstruct biological identities of main individual and commingled individuals • Age, Sex, Stature 2) Inventory and analyze commingled remains 3) Identify pathologies on the bones

  5. Fig 1. Taking measurements of bone Methods • Illinois State Museum • Standard bioarchaeological methods used to reconstruct: • Age • Sex • Stature • MNI • Published references used to identify/diagnose pathology

  6. Results • 6 individuals represented in commingled remains • Single nearly complete individual: Individual D • Bones in good condition but fragmentary

  7. Results Commingled Remains

  8. Results Individual D

  9. Results • Individual D: Evidence of Trauma

  10. Interpretation of Individual B • Poor health • Earring at burial?

  11. Interpretation of Individual D • Individual D • Trauma: • Mostly right side of body • Possibly due to a fall • Not cause of death

  12. Relationship to status of Potawatomi • Late Historic was a tense time • Individuals had very difficult lives • Numerous young people • Brief glimpse into burial practices

  13. 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

  14. References • Citizen Potawatomi Nation. (2008). History. Retrieved march 30, 2010 from http://www.potawatomi.org/Culture/History/default.aspx • O’Gorman JA, Farnsworth KB. 1995. Trade and tradition: European trade goods and Late Historic mortuary sites in Illinois. Illinois Archaeology 7: 109-147. • Winger, O. 1939. The Potawatomi Indians. Elgin Press, Elgin, Illinois • Temple WC. 1958. Indian villages of the Illinois Country: Historic tribes. Illinois State Museum, Scientific Papers, vol. 2, pt. 2. Springfield, IL: Illinois State Museum. • Wenner D Jr, 1954. Burials at Morris Illinois. Ms on file, Illinois State Museum, Springfield.

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