Drawing Conclusions

Thus far…

This semester, we’ve delved into the evidence and ethics of deciding Cannibalism in the American Southwest. There are many different archeological findings that could point to evidence of human cannibalism. These evidences are not conclusive though, and many have other possible explanations. Besides the evidence not being conclusive, it is hard to find especially with ethical issues behind the topic.

The majority of conflict behind cannibalism in the American southwest is that ethics. With the preempted ideas behind cannibalism, most societies feel as though their ancestors and past are being put down. Societies that are suggested of cannibalism could be seen as ‘primitive’ and ‘savages’, which leads to many defending their pasts and not releasing information they may know. Also, because of the damages due to the bodies and artifacts found, societies ask that their ancestral lands and artifacts be saved and protected. This makes it even more difficult to further research the sites.

Even with the restraints on research, there are some case site cases that have plausible evidence of human cannibalism. With the few very probable cases, there leaves room for possible theories of cannibalism. But even with these possibilities of cannibalism, what does this really mean for archeologists?

For our group…

Our group did a great deal of analysis of scholarly research and got to know our topic very well. We read articles, watched videos, and so we made our own educated evaluations of the conflict. We all agreed there was convincing evidence for cannibalism and that we believed there was. But the conflict does not just end here. What our group really found interesting was the theories as to why. Why did it occur? What was the reasoning behind the cannibalism and what events led to it. Was it acts of sacrifice? Or perhaps was it of means of survival from starvation? Could enemies have come in and inflicted it upon the society? Or maybe it was a means of disposing of enemies?

The way to finally understanding what really occurred is not defined. We may someday find out, but to this day, we do not know. The answer as the why is the real answer we should really be looking for. And the truth is we may never know; this is what really leaves us at the edge of our seats.  

Well, that wraps up our semester. Thanks for reading and learning as we do. As always, feel free to comment.

So in final remarks, we wish to leave you with the great topic of Southwest Cannibalism to ponder as well as one question; what do you think of the evidence for Cannibalism in the American Southwest?

Cannibalism in the Mesa Verde Region

This semester, I (Anna) have had the privilege of taking Steve Plog’s class “Archaeology of the American Southwest”. Professor Plog is a well-known archaeologist, specializing in Southwestern archaeology, particularly the dramatic population shifts in New Mexico and Arizona around the end of the 13^th century. One of our recent class discussions focused on evidence for conflict and cannibalism in a place outside of Chaco canyon—specifically in the Mesa Verde region. This blog will discuss the case presented in class as well as evidence from a neighboring site. While one could conclude (and some have) that evidence for cannibalism in northern Arizona is insufficient or sensationalized, the archaeology in the Mesa Verde region of Colorado seems to present a more compelling case for warfare and cannibalism. By comparing evidence for cannibalism and violence from a different region, we can more critically evaluate arguments by archaeologists like Christy Turner.

The site we focused on is 5MTUMR-2346, which is located near the Mancos River in southwestern Colorado. The burials at this site were scattered throughout multiple rooms, but not in patterned clusters like in Chaco canyon. The bones had cut marks and some had been smashed by a hammer-stone, potentially to extract marrow. Tim D. White analyzed these remains in comparison with remains of artiodactyls (antelope and deer) from Yellow Jacket to see if human bones resembled bones butchered for food. He observed a similar breakage pattern in bones and frequency of types, although there were some differences between the sets. Overall, however, they seemed to have been processed in the same way. White also compared the bones from Mancos to bones from a Native American cemetery, and they did not match up to each other; this indicates that the bones were treated more similarly to animal than other human bones.

These human remains alone are not enough to prove that cannibalism occurred, though. But when evaluated within the broader context of the region at that time, a clearer picture begins to emerge. In the 12^th and 13^th centuries, populations began to concentrate in villages, with fewer people overall, but larger settlement populations. Cliff-faces became a more common place to build houses. These locations were more dangerous and more difficult to access, but provided a line of sight to other villages. All of these factors have convinced many archaeologists that warfare and violence were common in the region around this time.

Castle Rock Pueblo, a site in the same region and approximate time period as 5MTUMR-2346, provides additional convincing evidence. Not only were the bodies here subjected to excessive violence and trophy-taking, but they were systematically dismembered. Some parts of bodies were put under heat, many were broken, and "at least one fractured long bone was polished," indicating that it had been boiled in a ceramic vessel (Kuckelman, et al.:2002). One mug and at least two cooking vessels showed signs of having muscle tissue placed in them at one time. Roasting or cooking flesh also seems probable (Kuckelman, et al.:2002). It also seems highly unlikely that this was the result of endocannibalism, or that any form of consumption indicating respect, such as religious ritual or consumption to keep ancestors close, was practiced in the Mesa Verde area (Kuckelman, et al.:2002).

Christy Turner makes broad claims about cannibalism in Chaco canyon, while archaeologists such as White and Kuckelman have done a more systematic analysis of remains. They have also refrained from making leap-of-faith claims and have not only looked at evidence that is likely to support their claims, such as Turner seems to do. The broader landscape and population movement in the Mesa Verde region also seems to support the hypothesis of cannibalism more than the context of Chaco.

Join us next time as we wrap up our discussion and recap what we’ve learned this semester!

Bibliography:

Kuckelman, Kristin A., Ricky R. Lightfoot and Debra L. Martin. "The Bioarchaeology and Taphonomy of Violence at Castle Rock and Sand Canyon Pueblos, Southwestern Colorado. American Antiquity, Vol. 67, No. 3 (July 2002), pp. 486-513.

Photo of Castle Rock Pueblo: http://photos.chrisskopec.com/ImagesBySize/8x12/AW-8x12/Sand-Canyon-Trail-Ruins/1063445079_2ZGah-600x600-3.jpg