Tools of the Ancestors? Evidence for Culturally Modified Human Bone from Tongan Skeletal Assemblages (original) (raw)
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International Journal of …, 2012
By integrating osteological, taphonomic, archaeological, and stable isotopic data, we test for cannibalism in the Lau Group, Fiji, and discuss the potential underlying cause(s) and context(s) of this behavior. First, we compare taphonomic and element representations of human skeletal material from two contexts in Fiji, examining human bone fragments from archaeological sites, including middens and burials in the Lau Island Group. Fourteen sites produced human remains. Only two of those sites included distinct human burial contexts, but in the remaining 12 sites, the human bone was recovered from middens or contexts where midden was mixed with possible secondary burials. A total of 262 NISP, representing an estimated 15 MNI make up the Lau human assemblage. Second, we analyzed bones contained in 20 individual human burials from four different sites that are housed at the Fiji Museum for comparative purposes. Third, we examine previously published stable isotopic (δ13C, δ15N) analysis of bone collagen to gauge protein consumption of likely cannibalized humans in midden contexts and potential cannibals from primary burials. We model a cannibalistic diet category within the context of isotopically-measured Pacific Islands food groups and apply an isotopic mixing model to gauge plausible dietary contributions from six sources including human flesh. Isotopic mixing models of the Lauan samples illustrate a high diversity in reconstructed diets. The percent contribution of human flesh is low for all individual Lauans. We conclude that mortuary rituals evidenced by sharp-force trauma (SFT) may suggest non-nutritive and nonviolent practices that may have included the consumption of small amounts of human flesh.
Human and nonhuman faunal remains from small deposits at three sites, NGRP 16, 23, and 46, were analyzed to determine the species and minimum numbers of individuals represented, and to investigate the processes of natural and human-induced modification that resulted in the extensive fragmentation of the human remains. Taphonomic analysis indicates perimortem modification of the human remains during disarticulation and processing as well as pig predation. The types and locations of tool marks, fractures, and fracture products are quantified and described, and quantitative taphonomic profiles for the human remains are compared to human and nonhuman bone assemblages from middens and normative burial contexts on Fiji. The NGRP assemblages do not taphonomically match other assemblages believed to represent incidents of cannibalism, but this does not rule out the consumption of human flesh or decomposition fluids. We reject the notion of a universal taphonomic signature of cannibalism, and find it more constructive to examine these data in the context of archaeologically and ethnographically documented mortuary practice in the region. We propose that the assemblages from these sites represent secondary deposits of human remains that were part of multistage mortuary programs that included the curation of specific skeletal elements, as documented in ethnographic accounts of mortuary ritual across Melanesia and far into antiquity. This study presented an interesting test of how we identify and interpret evidence of mortuary behavior when we encounter assemblages of human remains that do not fit the traditional concept of a burial or mortuary feature as most archaeologists know it.
Early Polynesian Mortuary Behaviour at the Talasiu Site, Kingdom of Tonga
This paper describes a well-preserved and burned human bone assemblage that represent at least four individuals dating to ca. 2400-2600 years ago from Tongatapu Island in the Kingdom of Tonga. The remains are the oldest securely dated skeletal assemblage from Polynesia, and they shed light on the early mortuary behavior at the end of the Lapita era when Ancestral Polynesian Society (APS) is thought to have emerged.
Prehistoric Butchery and Consumption of Birds in the Kingdom of Tonga, South Pacific
Journal of Archaeological Science, 2002
We evaluate the preservational attributes (element frequency, breakage, burning, cut-marks, rodent gnawing, and age) of ca. 500 bird bones from three prehistoric archaeological sites on the Polynesian islands of Foa and Lifuka in the Ha‘apai Group, Kingdom of Tonga. Two of the sites lie in calcareous beach sands whereas the third is the refuse infilling of a well. Although differing in age, all three sites are unequivocally cultural in origin, as evidenced by rich artifact assemblages and various sedimentological features (pits, hearths, etc.) that reflect human activities. The sites also contain bones from a diverse assemblage of marine fish, marine and terrestrial reptiles (sea turtles, iguanas), and terrestrial mammals (fruit bats, rats, pigs, dogs). We find no evidence for deposition of bones (bird or otherwise) in these Tongan sites by non-human agents. This is expected given that we are unaware of any non-human species or geological process that would concentrate the bones of fishes, reptiles, birds, and mammals on a beach ridge or in a well in Tonga. This is especially the case since the species range from very small to very large, and represent marine, fresh water, coastal, and forested habitats. Nevertheless, clear evidence of cultural involvement cannot be discerned on most individual bones, whether bird or non-bird. Furthermore, most taphonomic attributes (element frequency, breakage, burning, and cut-marks) of bones of a domesticated species (the chicken, Gallus gallus) resemble those found on bones of indigenous landbirds. We believe that all bones in any zooarchaeological assemblage should be evaluated carefully to determine who or what was responsible for their deposition. We see no reason, however, why bird bones should be held to some standard higher than those applied to the bones of other taxa, as some have suggested.
The incomplete skeletal remains of a young adolescent (10–12 years of age) recovered from the surface of an earth-oven in Qaranicagi Cave, Site Y2–39, Waya Island, Fiji are used to ex- plore mortuary practices in these islands. Mortuary practices in Fiji are documented in explorer and missionary accounts, and a limited number of excavated burials. Additionally, cannibalism is ethnographically and archaeologically known in the region. Cannibalism appears to be temporally and spatially sensitive, and is only one of a variety of perimortem behaviors. Criteria for the determination of cannibalism in human bone assemblages from Fiji are applied to these remains with limited success. The unique interment of the Qaranicagi Cave skeletal remains may represent cannibalism and the first evidence for transportation of human flesh outside of a village context in Fiji, or it may represent a secondary deposit of portions of a cave burial.
Cultural modification in an adolescent earth-oven interment from Fiji: sorting out mortuary practice
2007
The incomplete skeletal remains of a young adolescent (10-12 years of age) recovered from the surface of an earth-oven in Qaranicagi Cave, Site Y2-39, Waya Island, Fiji are used to explore mortuary practices in these islands. Mortuary practices in Fiji are documented in explorer and missionary accounts, and a limited number of excavated burials. Additionally, cannibalism is ethnographically and archaeologically known in the region. Cannibalism appears to be temporally and spatially sensitive, and is only one of a variety of perimortem behaviors. Criteria for the determination of cannibalism in human bone assemblages from Fiji are applied to these remains with limited success. The unique interment of the Qaranicagi Cave skeletal remains may represent cannibalism and the first evidence for transportation of human flesh outside of a village context in Fiji, or it may represent a secondary deposit of portions of a cave burial.
An early first millennium AD burial from the Naselala site, Cikobia-i-Ra Island (North-East Fiji)
his paper presents the results of the study of a human skeleton discovered on the island of Cikobia (northeast Fiji). he archaeological context of the burial as well as the study of the funerary behaviour are described using methods of ield anthropology. Results of chemical analysis and macroscopic observations on bones and teeth allow discussing dietary patterns, isotopic data showing a strong component of vegetable aliments in the diet, and macroscopic data suggesting the possible impact of non-dietary factors on the dental condition. Regional comparisons with other burials in the Fiji/West Polynesian area help to place this study into its regional context, by highlighting the similarities in terms of body position and orientation, but also a series of speciicities. his example shows the potential of bioanthropological studies in the reconstruction of the past societies of the region.
Journal of Island & Coastal Archaeology, 2019
Using a variety of skeletal and dental indicators (e.g., stature, linear enamel hypoplasia, cribra orbitalia, infection, trauma, dental pathologies) recorded in 33 adult and 11 subadult skeletons from the To-At-36 site at Ha‘ateiho, Tongatapu, this study examines the health, diet, and lifestyle of precontact Tongans during the Tongan Chiefdom Period (ca. 750-150 BP). Limited comparisons with skeletons from the ‘Atele mound sites (To-At-1 and To-At-2) on Tongatapu and other Pacific Island series are also made. Very few differences in the indicators of health were observed between the adult male and female skeletons from the To-At-36 site and between To-At-36 and the ‘Atele skeletons. Regional comparisons indicate that precontact Tongans and Polynesians were relatively tall and less subject to physiological stress than other Pacific Islanders. Bone infection, most likely attributable to yaws, was more prevalent in early Tongans. Although not significant, the frequency of bone fractures, including spondylolysis, is higher in the Tongan skeletons compared to other precontact Pacific Islanders. Advanced degenerative joint disease in precontact Tongans is comparable to other Pacific Island series. The oral-dental health of early Tongans was generally good. Overall, the frequencies of skeletal and dental indicators of health observed in the precontact Tongan skeletons fall in the medium range and are most similar to those reported for skeletons from the Hane dune site in the Marquesas and the Mariana Islands. Although evidence for physiological stress and bone infection is documented in the subadult skeletons from To-At-36, the prevalence of bone infection is generally higher in other subadult series examined. Key words: bioarchaeology, post-Lapita skeletons, health, dental pathology, Polynesia, Tonga
Technical Reports of the Australian Museum online, 2021
The consumption of human flesh, popularly defined as cannibalism, has arguably occurred throughout much of human history. In New Guinea, it has been associated ethnographically with warfare, mortuary rites and nutrition. However, it often evades detection in the archaeological record because of difficulties in distinguishing it from other social practices. Here we disentangle colonial myths associated with the consumption of human flesh and report disarticulated, burnt and cut human skeletal remains from two coastal sites spanning the past 540 years in the Massim island region of southeast Papua New Guinea. These sites, Wule and Morpa, both occur on Rossel Island. The skeletal evidence is contemporary with the construction of large stone platforms where human victims were often killed and consumed, and inland villages which were established in response to a well-attested period of conflict on Rossel and throughout the region. Within an ethnoarchaeological framework, we argue that cannibalism became increasingly prevalent in association with feasting as a means of maintaining social relationships and personal power. The findings are placed first within an island, then a regional model of emerging pressures on existing socio-political systems.