Queries from the Field

Have a question? Wish you had another set of eyes to look at specimen? Could your idea benefit from the input of others?
Submit your query to agrauer@luc.edu and get it posted for all to see.


Submitted by Kurt Dongoske, March 11, 2008

I am analyzing a group of burials from a Hohokam site in the Phoenix area. One well preserved burial, a 19 year old female, exhibits scoliosis, osteoporosis, and  anterior/posterior bowing of the femurs. Does anyone have information on other documented cases of scoliosis in the archaeological record (preferably the Southwestern US) and is the bowing of the femurs possibly related to the scoliosis or is it related to a different pathological condition (e.g., rickets, pagets disease). Any information or suggestions would be most appreciated.
 
Thank you,
 
Kurt Dongoske kdongoske@cableone.net
Director
Zuni Cultural Resource Enterprise

Submitted by Marie Danforth, June 18, 2008   mdanforth@comcast.net

I'm hoping someone may have some suggestions for us concerning short-term curation of a burial we just recovered eroding from a beach.  It is from a Mexican War hospital cemetery located on the Mississippi Sound, and the skeleton has been completely under water (while still contained within the coffin) for at least 40 years, and likely much longer.  Although fragmented into large pieces, the bone is in very good shape.  Our concern is how to dry it since we've been told it can be a problem moving it from one environment to another quickly.  Right now the material is still soaking in water.  Any ideas would really be appreciated.  We hope the remains will eventually be reinterred in the local veterans' cemetery.
Thanks!
Marie Danforth
U of Southern Mississippi



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Revised June 23, 2008 by A. L. Grauer (agrauer@luc.edu)
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