A bioarchaeological A bioarchaeological analysis of human analysis of human

remains from the Aronin remains from the Aronin burial siteburial site

By Elise ValdésBy Elise Valdés

Department of AnthropologyDepartment of Anthropology

Southern Illinois University Southern Illinois University EdwardsvilleEdwardsville

Aronin Burial SiteAronin Burial Site

Grundy County, IllinoisGrundy County, Illinois

Excavated in 1950’s and 1970’sExcavated in 1950’s and 1970’s

Skeletal remains recoveredSkeletal remains recovered

Affiliated with Potawatomi Affiliated with Potawatomi (O’Gorman and Farnsworth, 1995; Temple, 1958)(O’Gorman and Farnsworth, 1995; Temple, 1958)

One of few Late Historic sites in ILOne of few Late Historic sites in IL

PotawatomiPotawatomi

The historic PotawatomiThe historic Potawatomi– Displaced by 1800Displaced by 1800– Officially removed in 1830’sOfficially removed in 1830’s

Material remains Material remains (O’Gorman and Farnsworth, 1995)(O’Gorman and Farnsworth, 1995)

– Characteristic of the fur trade Characteristic of the fur trade – More utilitarian than other sitesMore utilitarian than other sites

GoalsGoals

1) Reconstruct biological identities of 1) Reconstruct biological identities of main individual and commingled main individual and commingled individualsindividuals– Age, Sex, StatureAge, Sex, Stature

2) Inventory and analyze commingled 2) Inventory and analyze commingled remainsremains

3) Identify pathologies on the bones3) Identify pathologies on the bones

MethodsMethods Illinois State MuseumIllinois State Museum Standard bioarchaeological methods used Standard bioarchaeological methods used

to reconstruct:to reconstruct:– AgeAge– SexSex– StatureStature– MNIMNI

Published references used to Published references used to identify/diagnose pathologyidentify/diagnose pathology

Fig 1. Taking measurements of bone

ResultsResults

6 individuals represented in 6 individuals represented in commingled remainscommingled remains

Single nearly complete individual: Single nearly complete individual: Individual DIndividual D

Bones in good condition but Bones in good condition but fragmentaryfragmentary

ResultsResults

Commingled RemainsCommingled RemainsIndividual Elements Age Sex Stature

Individual BMandible with teeth, occipital,

temporal, 8-10 years u/n u/n

Individual C Frontal, Parietal, Occipital, 6-7 years u/n u/n

Individual F Occipital 3-12 years u/n u/n

Individual G Occipital 6 mo. to 1 year u/n u/n

Individual H Humerus, radius, ulna, tibia (R) adult over 20 F 62.7 in ± 3.3

Individual I Humerus, radius, ulna (all L) adult over 20 M? 68.5 in ± 4.1

ResultsResults

Individual DIndividual DAge Sex Stature Pathology

35-45 years Male 68.7 in

Periostitis, arthritis, broken ribs, toe and vertebrae, trauma at

the elbow

Results

Individual D: Evidence of Trauma

Interpretation of Individual B

– Poor health– Earring at burial?

Interpretation of Individual D

Individual D

– Trauma: Mostly right side of body

Possibly due to a fall

Not cause of death

Relationship to status of Potawatomi

Late Historic was a tense timeLate Historic was a tense time

Individuals had very difficult livesIndividuals had very difficult lives

Numerous young peopleNumerous young people

Brief glimpse into burial practicesBrief glimpse into burial practices

Acknowledgements Thanks to the URCA for funding my project Thanks to the Illinois State Museum for letting me

work with the collection and to Dawn Cobb for her excellent mentorship

Thanks to Dr. Jen Rehg for her wonderful help and guidance

Thanks to the Anthropology Dept. for supporting and encouraging me during the past four years

Thanks to my family and friends for all your support and encouragement

Without all of you this project would not have been possible

ReferencesReferences Citizen Potawatomi Nation. (2008). History. Citizen Potawatomi Nation. (2008). History.

Retrieved march 30, 2010 from Retrieved march 30, 2010 from http://www.potawatomi.org/Culture/History/default.aspx

O’Gorman JA, Farnsworth KB. 1995. Trade and O’Gorman JA, Farnsworth KB. 1995. Trade and tradition: European trade goods and Late Historic tradition: European trade goods and Late Historic mortuary sites in Illinois. Illinois Archaeology 7: mortuary sites in Illinois. Illinois Archaeology 7: 109-147.109-147.

Winger, O. 1939. The Potawatomi Indians. Elgin Winger, O. 1939. The Potawatomi Indians. Elgin Press, Elgin, IllinoisPress, Elgin, Illinois

Temple WC. 1958. Indian villages of the Illinois Temple WC. 1958. Indian villages of the Illinois Country: Historic tribes. Illinois State Museum, Country: Historic tribes. Illinois State Museum, Scientific Papers, vol. 2, pt. 2. Springfield, IL: Illinois Scientific Papers, vol. 2, pt. 2. Springfield, IL: Illinois State Museum.State Museum.

Wenner D Jr, 1954. Burials at Morris Illinois. Ms on Wenner D Jr, 1954. Burials at Morris Illinois. Ms on file, Illinois State Museum, Springfield.file, Illinois State Museum, Springfield.