Taphonomy and Cremation of Human Remains from San Francisco de Borja

Authors

Cheryl P. Anderson, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Debra L. Martin, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow
Jennifer L. Thompson, University of Nevada, Las VegasFollow

Abstract

San Francisco de Borja is a cave-shelter burial site located in Chihuahua, Mexico, that was excavated in the 1950s by Richard and Sheilagh Brooks and is now curated at UNLV. Human remains collected from this cave site include male, female and juvenile individuals dating from the late prehistoric period. This project documents and analyzes the wide range of taphonomic processes that have affected these remains. These processes include perimortem chop marks, surface bleaching and burning. Based on these observations, violence and partial cremation of some individuals is suggested.

DOI Link

http://dx.doi.org/10.7275/R54Q7RWF

Recommended Citation

Anderson, Cheryl P.; Martin, Debra L.; and Thompson, Jennifer L. (2012) "Taphonomy and Cremation of Human Remains from San Francisco de Borja," Landscapes of Violence: Vol. 2: No. 2, Article 16.
DOI: 10.7275/R54Q7RWF
Available at: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/lov/vol2/iss2/16