Identification of dermestid beetle modification on Neolithic Maltese human bone: Implications for funerary practices at the Xemxija tombs
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Publication Date
2018-12Journal 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.
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/
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