APPENDIX D
Analysis of Human Skeletal Remains from the Gibson Mounds Site (16TR5).
By
Michelle Whipp and Stephanie Crider
(Under the Supervision of Mary H. Manhein and Dr. Ginny Listi, LSU FACES Laboratory)
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GIBSON MOUNDS SITE (16TR5)
INTRODUCTION
The Gibson Mound site (16TR5) is a multi-mound complex located along Bayou Black
in Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. The site consists of three earthen mounds, an associated
midden, and a buried shell midden. Cultural occupation of the site spans the Marksville, Coles
Creek, and Plaquemine periods. Human burials are present in both the mounds and midden
deposits. A historic period occupation is evidences by burials with European goods on Mound
B. Human skeletal remains, faunal remains, and artifacts recovered from the now abandoned
house on top of Mound A were turned over to Dr. Rob Mann, the Southeast Regional
Archaeologist for Louisiana. An initial sorting by Dr. Mann removed all clearly non-human
bone from the collection. The remainder of the bone assemblage was brought to the LSU
FACES Laboratory for analysis.
METHODS
Human skeletal remains recovered from the Gibson mounds site have been analyzed at
the Louisiana State University (LSU) Forensic Anthropology and Computer Enhancement
Services (FACES) Laboratory. All human and animal remains were analyzed and identified by
the accepted standards from, Buikstra and Ubelaker (1994); Moore-Jansen, Ousley and Jantz
(1994); Bass (1995); Scheuer and Black (2000); White (2000); and Aufderheide and RodriguezMartin (2003).
First, human and non-human remains were sorted into two different piles in order to
screen the remains. Next, non-human remains were assessed, separating shells, fish, non-human
mammalian, and non-mammalian from each other. Also, non-human mammalian jaws and teeth
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were removed from the overall sample. All non-human remains were counted and weighted per
their category. The human bone preservation is good, with the exception of the ribs and
vertebrae which are highly weathered and fragmented. All skeletal remains (human and nonhuman) are covered in a moderate layer of dirt and attempts were made to massage clean the dirt
with the use of brushes and bamboo skewers to prevent any further post-mortem damage.
During this assessment the skeletal remains have were not washed with water to avoid
destruction of important osteological markers.
Human skeletal remains were first sorted by cranial and post-cranial elements. Postcranial remains were placed onto trays separating the axial and appendicular skeleton. Axial
skeletal remains were then identified according to their specific grouping (i.e. vertebrae and
ribs). The ribs and vertebrae were counted (number of ribs or vertebrae present in the respective
group) and weighed within their groups. All weights are recorded in grams. Due to the
moderate layer of dirt present on the skeletal remains, the weights recorded are estimated and not
the true weight. Appendicular human skeletal remains were then sorted by long bone, either
shoulder or pelvic girdle, and feet. Finally, cranial remains were sorted into their respective
bones (i.e. parietals, frontal, occipital, and temporal). All cranial remains were weighed with
their bone grouping and not individually.
For both appendicular and cranial remains, all fragments have been articulated when
possible. Articulated remains were weighed together (e.g. two fragments of the tibia that fit
together were weighed as one piece). Identifiable appendicular remains were weighed
individually, and unknown appendicular fragments were identified as unknown and weighed as a
group (see Analysis). Each fragment was analyzed for antemortem pathologies. During this
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assessment, minor pathologies may have been missed because of the layer of dirt present on all
of the remains. Post-mortem damage was not recorded.
When possible, stature was calculated from any complete long bones. Stature
calculations and equations were drawn from Bass’s Human Osteology: A Laboratory and Field
Manual, 4th Edition (1995). In this edition there are only stature estimations for males; and for
this particular analysis, the only applicable equation is for Mongoloid males.
Analysis of sex was conducted when possible. Various metric and non-metric techniques
were used for analysis (e.g. bicondylar width of the humerus, the vertical height of the humeral
head, and the size of the greater sciatic notch).
ANALYSIS
There are a total of 661 elements to be sorted for human skeletal analysis (Table 1). The
majority of the elements are non-human (Table 1). The present study concludes that the
minimum number of individuals (MNI) is four. This MNI was concluded by the presence of
three complete right tibia and one juvenile tibia, however, there are likely more individuals
represented in this assemblage.
Non-Human
Human
TOTALS
Table 1. Elements by Category
Total Weight (g)
Total Count
% Weight
2587.9
504
39.57
3951.8
157
60.43
6539.7
661
100.00
% Count
76.25
23.75
100.00
Non-human Remains
There are a total of 504 non-human elements (Table 2). These elements consist of mostly
non-human mammalian bones. A zooarchaeological analysis of non-human skeletal remains was
not conducted, as it is not the primary focus at this time of analysis.
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Shells
Fish
Non-mammal
Loose teeth
Jaws with teeth
Non-human
mammalian
bones
TOTALS
Table 2. Non-human fragments
Weight (g)
Count
% Weight
62.5
8
2.41
0.7
3
0.03
3.9
7
0.15
15.6
10
0.60
57.2
6
2.21
% Count
1.59
0.60
1.39
1.98
1.19
2448.0
470
94.60
93.25
2587.9
504
100.00
100.00
Human
There are a total of 157 human skeletal fragments and whole bones (Table 3). The
skeletal remains are in moderate to good condition, with a layer of dirt covering the majority of
the bones/fragments. After the initial overview of all remains, an observation was made
describing the remains as robust with little noted sexual dimorphism. During the analysis, a total
of four right tibae are identified (3 adults and 1 juvenile). Therefore, the minimum number of
individuals (MNI) represented here from the Gibson Mounds site is four. It is important to note
that none of these skeletal remains could affirmatively be associated with other remains and so
more than four individuals could possibly be represented in this assemblage.
Cranial
Ribs
Scapula
Vertebrae
Humerus
Ulna
Radius
Innominate
Femur
Patella
Weight (g)
196.6
78.8
26.2
109.4
188.5
54.3
23.2
123.7
1440.0
16.4
Table 3. Human skeletal elements
Count
36
23
1
16
5
4
1
9
26
1
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% weight
4.96
1.98
0.65
2.75
4.75
1.36
0.57
3.12
36.41
0.41
% count
22.93
14.65
0.64
10.19
3.18
2.55
0.64
5.73
16.56
0.64
Tibia
Fibula
Foot
Unknown
TOTALS
1438.1
146.5
29.3
88.8
3951.8
14
9
3
9
157
36.36
3.71
0.73
2.24
100.00
8.92
5.73
1.91
5.73
100.00
Skulls
There are a total of 36 cranial fragments, collectively weighing 196.6 grams (g). The
fragments consist of: 1 left descending ramus, weighing 16.4g; 4 temporal fragments, weighing
21.9g; 9 occipital fragments, weighing 68.0g; 14 parietal fragments, not sided, weighing 77.4g;
and 6 unknown cranial fragments, weighing 12.9g.
Ribs
There are a total of 23 rib fragments. The collective weight is 78.8g. The rib fragments
have not been sided or seriated because only rib shafts are present.
Scapula
There is one left scapula fragment. This is a left glenoid cavity, with some of the
scapular spine attached. It weighs 26.2g. No arthritic lipping, or degenerative pathologies are
present.
Vertebrae
There are 16 vertebral fragments present; no complete vertebrae. The total weight is
109.4g. There is no indication that these vertebrae belong to only 1 individual. Seriation of the
vertebrae was not conducted because of the highly fragmented state of the remains. No arthritic
lipping or any other degenerative pathologies are present.
Humerus
There are a total of five humeri fragments present, weighing a total of 188.5g. A partial
proximal right humerus (weighing 92.1g) was analyzed for sex. The maximum diameter of the
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humeral head measurs 4.69 centimeters (cm), suggesting an indeterminate sex (Bass 1995). No
pathologies are present. A single known right humerus fragment, weighing 25.2g is present. No
obvious pathologies are observed. Three known left humeri, weighing 71.2g are present. No
obvious pathologies are observed.
Ulna
There are a total of 4 ulnar fragments weighing a total of 54.3g. A single known right
ulna fragment, weighing 18.3g, is present with no obvious pathologies. Three known left ulna
fragments, weighing 36.0g, were analyzed. No obvious pathologies are recorded.
Radius
A single known left radius fragment, weighing 23.2g, is present. No obvious pathologies
are observed.
Innominates
There are a total of nine innominate fragments; four from the right side, two from the left
side, and three from unknown sides. The total weight for all fragments is 123.7g; right side
weight is 38.4g; the total left side weight is 70.3g. The unknown fragment weighs 15g. By
using the large auricular surface of the left illia fragment, an estimated age of 45+ years (based
on modern standards) was assessed for this individual; there is a wide greater sciatic notch and
the presence of a preauricular sulcus, suggesting female sex (again by modern standards). Sex
cannot be determined from the right auricular surface fragment, however, an age estimation of
30-45 years of age (by modern standards) is assigned to this individual.
Femur
There are a total of 26 femoral fragments, collectively weighing 1440.0g. As noted
below, many of the femoral fragments have been articulated. A left femur, minus the posterior
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portion of the medial condyle and the lesser trochanter, consisting of 4 pieces, is present. The
total weight of all these 4 pieces is 379.2g. The femoral oblique length measures 46.70cm; the
vertical diameter of the head measures 4.50cm; the bicondylar width measures a minimum of
7.40cm. All of these measurements suggest a sex of male, with a living stature of 172.98cm +/3.80cm (68.10in +/- 1.50in) for this individual.
A distal left femur, consisting of 2 pieces, weighs 159.8g. The bicondylar width
measures 8.60cm, suggesting this individual is a robust male. Another distal left femur, condyles
and epicondyles only, weighs 88.1g. This bicondylar width measured 8.10cm, suggesting
another robust male.
A right femoral head weighing 14.6g with a vertical diameter of the head at 4.20cm, this
results in the sex assessment of “questionable female” (Bass 1995).
A left femoral head weighs 26.8g. The vertical diameter of the head was 4.70cm,
suggesting a robust male.
A total of 8 known right femur fragments are present collectively weighing 601.9g. A
total of 3 known left femur fragments collectively weighing 114.0g are present. Finally, there
are 6 unknown femur fragments collectively weighing 55.6g. No obvious pathologies are
observed on any of the femoral fragments.
Patella
The single right patella weighs 16.4g. No obvious pathologies are present.
Tibia
There is one whole tibia and there are 13 tibia fragments present, with a combined weight
of 1438.1g. The whole right tibia weighs 221.6g. This tibia measures 36.70cm in length,
suggesting a living stature of 169.16cm +/- 3.27cm (66.60in +/- 1.29in). No obvious pathologies
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are present other than mild to moderate bowing of the tibial shaft. A complete left tibia, in two
pieces, weighs 284.2g. The pieces measure 39.20cm in length (when articulated), suggesting a
living stature of 175.14cm +/- 3.27cm (68.95in +/- 1.29in). No obvious pathologies are present.
A right tibia, in two pieces, weighs 360.2g. The tibia measures 39.50cm, suggesting a
living stature of 175.86cm +/- 3.27cm (69.24in +/- 1.29in). Advanced periostitis is present on
the distal portion of the shaft. The periostitis appears to have been active during life and is
present in various stages of healing. Also, some extra bone growth (possible solitary enostosis or
possibly related to the periostitis) is present as well.
Another right tibia, in two pieces, missing the tibial tuberosity, weighs 243.5g. The tibia
measures 41.50cm, suggesting a living stature of 180.64cm +/- 3.27cm (71.12in +/- 1.29 in). No
obvious pathologies are present. A left tibia, with the tibial plateau in two pieces and missing the
proximal portion, weighs 218.3g. No obvious pathologies are present. Another right tibial
fragment weighs 44.4g with no obvious pathologies present. There are two known left tibial
fragments, weighing a total of 53.5g. No obvious pathologies are observed. An unknown tibial
fragment weighing a total of 8.3g also with no obvious pathologies observed.
Finally, a single proximal right juvenile tibia is present, weighing 4.1g. This tibia was
assessed for age between 22-26 months old.
Fibula
There are nine fibulae fragments present, weighing a total of 146.5g. The four known
right fibula fragments weigh 62.7g. The five known left fibula fragments weigh 83.8g. No
obvious pathologies are observed on any fibulae fragments.
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Unknown Long bones (Possible Femur, Tibia, Fibula, Humerus, Radius, or Ulna)
There are a total of nine unknown long bone fragments. These fragments are not
distinctive enough to identify to the correct bone or side of bone. The total weight of these
fragments is 80.8g. There are no obvious pathologies observed.
Foot
A right calcaneous is present weighing 25g. There are two unknown metatarsals present
weighing 4.3g total. No pathologies are observed on any of the foot bones.
Summary
Overall, the remains in this assemblage are in good condition. After complete analysis,
the suggested minimum number of individuals (MNI) for the Gibson Site remains is four; three
adults and one juvenile. These remains appear to be robust as a whole and possibly have a low
sexual dimorphism. With minimal pathologies, the general health of the individuals represented
appears to be relatively good as well.
References
Aufderheide, A.C., and Rodriguez-Martin
2003 The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Human Paleopathology. Cambridge University
Press, Cambridge
Bass, W.M.
1995
Human Osteology: A Laboratory and Field Manual, 4th Edition. Missouri
Archaeological Society, Columbia, Missouri.
Buikstra, J.E., D.H. Ubelaker
1994 Standards for Data Collection from Human Skeletal Remains: Proceedings of a
Seminar at the Field Museum of Natural History. Arkansas Archaeological
Survey, Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Moore-Jansen, P.M., S.D. Ousley, and R.L. Jantz
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1994
Data Collection Procedures for Forensic Skeletal Material. 3rd Edition. The
University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
Scheuer, L., and S. Black
2000 Developmental Juvenile Osteology. Academic Press, San Diego.
White, T.D.
2000
Human Osteology. 2nd Edition. Academic Press, San Diego.
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