Biology Reference
In-Depth Information
vertebrae. They were on the western side. Under the vertebrae and extending into the western
doorway was a mass of burnt cloth. (1896-47 Accession file).
Reassociating Remains with Morphological and Taphonomic Clues
A search of the records of the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) in New
York revealed that no skeletal elements in the collections were recorded as originating in
Room 32, and previous researchers had reported that the remains could not be located
(
Akins, 1986
:115). However, combined osteological analysis and archival research permitted
the identification of the remains from Room 32. A large, commingled skeletal assemblage
(curated at the AMNH) from the fill of the adjacent burial chamber, Room 33, contained
the remains of 14 individuals: 12 adults and 2 infants.
Examination of the assemblage from Room 33 (Catalog Number H/3658) revealed that the
skeletal elements from Room 32 were at some point incorporated into the Room 33 lot.
Catalog Number H/3658 contains one set of ten vertebrae that
d
unlike any other bones
d
is
marked with the numbers 1
e
10 in a careful hand. See
Figure 9.3
. This corresponds with
Pepper's description of ten of the vertebrae found in Room 32 found “intact and in position”
(1920:133), which he described in his notes as “numbered and run from 1 to 10, being
FIGURE 9.3
Ten contiguous vertebrae found in the commingled lot from Room 33 were numbered 1
e
10,
consistent with Pepper's description of the vertebrae found in Room 32.
