Identification of dermestid beetle modification on Neolithic Maltese human bone: Implications for funerary practices at the Xemxija tombs
View / Open Files
Publication Date
2018Journal Title
Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
ISSN
2352-409X
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Volume
22
Pages
123-131
Type
Article
Metadata
Show full item recordCitation
Thompson, J., Martín-Vega, D., Buck, L., Power, R., Stoddart, S., & Malone, C. (2018). Identification of dermestid beetle modification on Neolithic Maltese human bone: Implications for funerary practices at the Xemxija tombs. Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 22 123-131. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.09.016
Abstract
Taphonomic modifications to Neolithic human skeletal remains from six rock-cut tombs in Malta has provided key information about funerary practices and the local environment. Application of microscopic analysis, computed tomography (CT) scanning, and 3D imaging of the modifications has allowed their comparison with similar examples in modern and archaeological skeletal material. The modifications are interpreted as pupal chambers and feeding damage by dermestid beetles. Based on observation of the behaviour and ecology of dermestid beetles, we suggest several scenarios for funerary practices at the Xemxija tombs which nuance our current understanding of collective burial during the late Neolithic in Malta.
Keywords
Archaeoentomology, Dermestid beetles, Funerary practices, Human bones, Neolithic, Taphonomy, Malta
Sponsorship
Magdalene College, Cambridge
Funder references
AHRC (1652796)
European Research Council (323727)
Identifiers
External DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.09.016
This record's URL: https://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/285535
Rights
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
Licence URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
Statistics
Total file downloads (since January 2020). For more information on metrics see the
IRUS guide.
Recommended or similar items
The current recommendation prototype on the Apollo Repository will be turned off on 03 February 2023. Although the pilot has been fruitful for both parties, the service provider IKVA is focusing on horizon scanning products and so the recommender service can no longer be supported. We recognise the importance of recommender services in supporting research discovery and are evaluating offerings from other service providers. If you would like to offer feedback on this decision please contact us on: support@repository.cam.ac.uk