Cemeteries are our most important source of information on the life
ways of prehistoric people. Differences in mortuary practices can, to some
extent, reflect social differences in a prehistoric society, and the study of
human slteletal remains can provide information on the sex, age, trauma,
genetic relationships, and diet.
This research is focussed on the i 4500-year-old Native American
cemetery of Pon au Choix-3 locus 11. This site, which was excavated in
1967/68, was attributed to the Maritime Archaic culmre (Tuck 1976). At Port
au Choix-3 locus II,93 well preserved human slteletons were discovered,
which were buried in three spatially separate clusters. The burials contained
many tools, ornaments and other grave goods made of, stone, bone and
antler. Almost all individuals were lavishly covered with red ochre.
The objective of the research was to formulate a diagnostic
reconstruction of the social structure of the Maritime Archaic society of Port
au Choix-3 locus 11. This investigation was conducted by means of an analysis
of the archaeological and physical anthropological data retrieved by Tuclt
(1970, 1971, 1976), Tuck et al. (n.d.) and Anderson (1976, n.d.), in
combination with the results of recent studies on non-metric as well as metric
skeletal and dental traits, stable isotopes, radiocarbon, and DNA.
One of the research questions was whether the three spatial burial
clusters reflect different genetic and/or chronological groups, or whether they
represent different social status groups.
The excellent preservation of the slteletons offered the opportunity to
conduct DNA analysis on this material. Permission was granted for sampling
64 individuals. In 26 of those DNA was found and analysed. This pan of the
research was conducted in cooperation with researchers of the University of
Oxford. By means of DNA analysis we were able to establish the sex of a
number of individuals (which in some cases led to sex-determinations that
were different From those established by means of the traditional
morphological method). DNA analysis, in combination with physical
anthropological techniques, showed that the three burial clusters were not
genetically separate populations. The skeletons of 29 adults were analysed for
their "C/'% and '"N/I5N stable isotope ratios. With these analysis the average
diets in the three burial clusters could be reconstructed.
In combination with the studies mentioned above, an analysis of the
archaeological mortuary attributes was conducted. These attributes can be
classified into four mortuary domains; placement in the cemetery (I), grave
construction (2), body treatment and position (3) and grave goods (4). We
investigated whether or not the mortuary attributes are associated with sex,
age and burial cluster. Subsequently all the relations between all the
archaeological, physical anthropological, DNA and stable isotope variables
were investigated statistically.
One of the results of the analyses was the detection of significant
differences in diet between two of the three burial clusters. Also significant
differences in the amounts of energy invested in the burials were found. in
addition to that, in one of the three burial clusters more male slteletons were
discovered than one would expect on the basis of a biological 50/50
distribution. This suggests that females and males did not have the same
access to these burial clusters.
The observed patterning in mortuary practices was compared to
ethnographic data. The ethnographic analogies used originate from
Algonquian societies which are thought to be comparable to Port au Choix-3.
It was concluded that the three clusters are the burial grounds of three
different social status groups in the Port au Choix-3 locus I1 society. It is likely
that in one of the clusters young and relatively inexperienced hunters were
buried. Their diet was heavily based on marine mammals, probably seals,
which were easy to catch. In the second burial cluster we find the most sldlled
hunters. The greatest variability in diet was found in this group. These hunters
were able to hunt all species successfully, and had the highesr status. The
greatest energy investment was found in the burials of this cluster. The third
cluster consisted, probably, older and/or less capable hunters. Also the sex
ratio in this cluster is more equal than that of the other two burial clusters.
The subsistence of these people was mainly based on fish. These fish were
probably caught in the vicinity of the sertlement.
In addition to information on subsistence and social structure, some
religious aspects of this prehistoric Native American society could be
reconstructed.
Original language | English |
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Qualification | Doctor of Philosophy |
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Awarding Institution | |
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Supervisors/Advisors | - Reinders Folmer, H, Supervisor
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Award date | 15-May-2000 |
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Publisher | |
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Publication status | Published - 2000 |
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