Determining the population affinity of an unprovenienced human skull for repatriation. (April 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Watkins, Jennifer K.; Blatt, Samantha H.; Bradbury, Cynthia A.; Alanko, Gordon A.; Kohn, Matthew J.; Lytle, Marion L.; Taylor, Joanna; Lacroix, Deborah; Nieves-Colón, Maria A.; Stone, Anne C.; Butt, Darryl P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of archaeological science. Volume 12(2017)
• Page Start: 384
• Page End: 394
• Publication Date: 2017-04
• Subjects: Provenience -- Repatriation -- Skull -- Cinnabar -- mtDNA -- Cranial deformation -- NAGPRA; Archaeology -- Periodicals; Archaeology -- Research -- Periodicals; 930.1
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jasrep.2017.02.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2352-409X

Abstract

Abstract: An archaeological assessment was carried out on an unprovenienced human skull recovered in eastern Idaho, exhibiting cranial deformation and peri-mortem application of a red pigment. A combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) identified the major and trace elements present in the red pigment as natural cinnabar. Carbon and oxygen stable isotopes from teeth and bone suggest a mostly C3 plant-based diet with subsidiary consumption of salmon or marine resources, and a regional geographic transition between early life and late adulthood. Radiocarbon dating determined the approximate age of the skull to be between 600 and 700 years old, and ancient mitochondrial DNA assessment identified characteristics of haplogroup B, one of four major Native American mitochondrial DNA lineages, which is consistent with the osteological analyses. Highlights: A multidisciplinary study identified cranial deformation and post-mortem application of cinnabar. Radiocarbon dating confirmed the skull is prehistoric. Stable isotope analysis indicates a cooler and/or higher altitude habitat during the individual's later years. Mitochondrial DNA analysis revealed a 9bp deletion found frequently in haplogroup B lineages of Native Americans.