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1 Ass. Prof in Environmental Archaeology, University of Athens, Greece
2 Doc. Researcher in Bioarchaeology, University of Durham, UK
The four chamber tombs contained rich assemblages of both human and animal remains. The preliminary results are presented here. Further osteological analysis, interpretation, and comparison with other sites are forthcoming at the RDAC (Report of Antiquities of Cyprus) journal.
Methodology: Based on the excavation data, we concluded that the bones had been recovered according to their taphonomic scattering. Therefore, their in situ position is of no ritual burial value. The identification of human and animal bones has been painstaking as the fragments reached high numbers (tens of hundreds). Bones have been studied macro- and micro- scopically (Bass 1995, Brothwell 1981, Hillson 1992, Schmid 1972, White 1991). Two small bags with grave filling have also been thoroughly examined (from Tombs 16 and 17).
Results: The grave filling consisted of soil sediment, roots, tiny bone, tooth, shell, and pottery fragments, insect remains, charcoal, seeds, and a bead from T 17. The bones from all tombs were heavily damaged and fragmented due to taphonomic conditions and modern human handling. They were covered by sediments and/or bore signs of weathering and/or animal scavenging.
1. Human remains:
¨ Tomb 14: MNI = 1 adult Female (?). The bones of the cranial vault were heavy, with thickened diploe and mild porotic hyperostosis.
¨ Tomb 15: MNI= 2 => 1 younger and 1 older adult. One lumbar vertebra showed marked osteophytosis and a large Schmorl’s node. Osteochondritis dissecans has been observed on a patella.
¨ Tomb 16: MNI = 2 => 1 young gracile adult aged 18-22 years-old (based on femoral head and lesser trochanter fusion) and 1 child aged approx. 9 years-old (based on estimated length of incomplete left radius, and on the morphology of the development of the root and on the attrition of a permanent 2nd left mandibular premolar).
¨ Tomb 17: MNI = 4 => 1 adult Male, 1 young adult aged 23-35 years-old (Suchey and Brooks method), 1 gracile adult, 1 more adult (based on epiphyseal union), and one child of approx. 5 years of age (based on estimated length and morphology of incomplete left femur and humerus). Squatting facets from dorsiflexion have been observed on an adult calcaneus and one metacarpal shows active periostitis with new bone addition.
2. Animal Remains: Bone and teeth fragments revealed the presence of: Lepus (hare), Mus (mouse), Sus (pig), Equus (horse), Bos (cow), Avis (bird) - Gallus (chicken) has been positively identified -, Ovis / Capra (Sheep/ Goat). Possible presence of Cervidae. Two crab claws (Carcinus sp.) were found in Tomb 16. Cut marks on bones have been recorded and absence of or separately found animal epiphyses confirm the killing of subadult individuals. The above mentioned animal species were common to almost all tombs. Some animals were scavengers, trapped in the tombs accidentally. The bones found represent all parts of the animal (i.e. skull, main body, and limbs). Number of individuals, sexing, more specific ageing, and metrical analysis could not be applied due to the high fragmentation of the bones. From T 15 three small pieces (approx. 1 x 2 - 2.5 cm) of worked bone bearing circular symmetrical motifs have been recovered.
Conclusions: Many bones from all tombs bore gray spotting, probably from contact with ash and/or burnt grave offerings. The highly weathered surface of the bones made observation and identification difficult, as in the majority of cases the diagnostic morphological markers have been erased or altered. Erosion also prohibits secure diagnosis of pathological conditions on the bones, as it may have produced cases of “pseudopathology”.
* (Part of poster presentation:
introductory bibliography to osteological analysis
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