The Bigger Picture

Concerning Ethics, Evidence, and Global Extension

            We have discussed several issues thus far in our posts concerning cannibalism in the Southwest. We know that it extremely difficult to confirm without a shadow of a doubt that cannibalism actually occurred in the American Southwest yet we also know there are some researchers, for example Christy Turner, that would like to think they have found sufficient proof. I encourage you all to explore this interactive website that shows video clips that showcase what conditions researchers have found Anasazi artifacts and bones in that suggest cannibalism. Additionally, we know that the entire topic is a huge ethical debate. The descendant clan, the Hopi Native Americans, are particularly offended by the claim that their Anasazi ancestors practiced cannibalism, but how about other cultures that have also been suspected of this gruesome act?

The Grand Scheme

            The Anasazi are certainly not the only ancient group (or modern culture at that!) to have been suspected/confirmed of indulging in cannibalism. For example, there have been cases in Polynesia, New Guinea, Sumatra, Africa and Europe. The unique focus and controversy surrounding the Anasazi cannibalism perhaps stems from the fact that they were known as an advanced and peaceful society- one not likely to partake in cannibalistic rituals or actions. By claiming that the Anasazi engaged in cannibalism should not pre-maturely mark them as primitive savages, nor should it make them appear to be vicious. Take for example the medicinal use of cannibalism in post-Renaissance Europe. In an article by Karen Gordon-Grube, she sites how “cannibalism, involving human flesh, blood, heart, skull, bone marrow, and other body parts, was not limited to fringe groups of society, but was practiced in the most respectable circles” (Gordon-Grube 1988:405). Prominent physicians, Harvard graduates and the like were known to use the human body in various medicines that were intended to be ingested by humans suffering from mental and physical sicknesses- a practice that certainly constitutes as cannibalism but is not viewed as negatively by society in general (Gordon-Grube 1988:405). The Anasazi might have ingested human flesh, yes, but the real question that remains is to what purpose? If it is indeed true that parts of human remains were butchered and served in the same fashion as game flesh, could this not have been for medicinal or ritual purposes as well? It is unfair to mark an entire group of people as being cannibals and henceforth relating them to the status of heathens- it is essential to look towards the “grand scheme” or bigger picture as to why the consumption took place.

Back to Ethics

     Recently, our blogging group was able to watch an interesting PBS broadcast on Anasazi Cannibalism. Fortunately, so can you by clicking on the video provided at the bottom of this post. This video was informative and provided visual perspective on what the American Southwest looks like, what the artifacts discovered look like, and perhaps most importantly who the prominent researchers like Christy Turner are and how they present themselves via public media. The video certainly makes it clear that Turner was and is still met with serious opposition from Native American clans who protest his insistence that cannibalism in fact did exist among the Anasazi people.  Much strife has occurred not only with the Hopi tribe but also among several Native American tribes concerning the excavation of their ancestors and the distributing of their treasured artifacts. A website worth noting is http://www8.nau.edu/~hcpo-p/arpa.pdf which boasts a copy of the Archaeological Resources Protection Act of 1979 which states that “archaeological resources on public lands and Indian lands are an accessible and irreplaceable part of the Nation’s heritage”. Other agencies such as the Native American Graves and Repatriation Act seek to prevent the exploitation of Native American burial grounds by archaeologists. There have been major movements in the past 30 years that seeks to honor the rituals and customs of existing Native American groups because they have felt that their dead have been improperly examined and disrupted- even to the point where there has been concern for the afterlives of their ancestors due to improper burials and re-burials. Getting passed the various loopholes the NAGPRA fails to correct proves to be exceedingly difficult though for Native American tribes to overcome. This topic continues to be a sensitive and highly debated subject with little end in sight- but the promise of progress and compromise still remains.
         The take away message is as follows: even if the Anasazi people allegedly did practice cannibalism, it should be known that they were not the only ones to do so throughout the course of history. It is unfair and unjust to declare them primitive, savages, or excessively violent people, when other cultures who engaged in similar practices are not marked as such. Great efforts must be made to investigate the true motives behind cannibalistic practices if we are to gain further insight into this fascinating ancient tribe. 

We’d love to hear your thoughts!

-AAC

Gordon-Grube, Karen. “Anthropology in Post-Renaissance Europe: The Tradition of             Medicinal Cannibalism” American Anthropologist, Vo. 90 No. 2 1988

Federal Historic Preservation Laws “Archaeological Resources and Protection Act of             1979”; http://www8.nau.edu/~hcpo-p/arpa.pdf
PBS Secrets of the Dead "Cannibals of the Canyon" http://www.pbs.org/wnet/secrets/previous_seasons/html/index.html

Images:
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