Session no. 1, 2011: The Significance of Soft Tissue Preservation in Human Burials, by Heather Zimmerman

The Significance of Soft Tissue Preservation in Human Burials

By: Heather Zimmerman Session One

Soft Tissue Preservation

Soft tissue preservation in human burials can be witnessed in a number of sites around the world

These sites include: Menorca, Spain Florida, US Jutland Peninsula, Denmark

La Cova des Pas

Located in Ferreries, Menorca

This cave is a necropolis that dates to the Late Bronze Age

– Most likely used between 1200 and 800 BC

Scientists have identified 70 individuals

Scientists found various types of soft tissue at this site

Soft Tissue Remains in La Cova Des Pas

Soft Tissue Remains in La Cova Des Pas

Windover Pond

Located in Titusville, Florida Nearly 170 individuals were located at this site The remains date to between 6,990 years and

8,120 years ago The walls of the pond consisted of peat 91 skulls were found to contain brain tissue

– Some contained complete brains

Soft Tissue Discoveries at Windover

Denmark Bog Bodies

Ex. Tollund Man

His remains were found on the Jutland Peninsula in Denmark

His remains date to the Early Iron Age, about 2,400 years ago

The remains were found in a bog/swamp high in peat which allowed for high preservation

Tollund Man Preservation

Importance of These Discoveries

What can we do with this information?

References

Windover Pond:

http://www.nbbd.com/godo/history/windover/#Radiocarbon Dating

Cova des Pas:

http://www.uib.es/noticies/?contentId=147232

http://www.uib.es/depart/dha/prehistoria/inves0708/Cova_des_Pas.pdf

http://www.illesbalears.es/ing/balearicislands/history2.jsp?SEC=HIS&id=00000992&lang=0004

Tollund Man:

http://www.tollundman.dk/

http://www.greatarchaeology.com/tollund_man.htm

Rapp, G. R. & Hill, C. L. (2006). Geoarchaeology: The earth-science approach to archaeological interpretation.