A bioarchaeological analysis of human remains from the Aronin burial site By Elise Valdés Department of Anthropology Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Aronin Burial Site Grundy County, Illinois Grundy County, Illinois Excavated in 1950’s and 1970’s Excavated in 1950’s and 1970’s Skeletal remains recovered Skeletal remains recovered Affiliated with Potawatomi Affiliated with Potawatomi (O’Gorman and Farnsworth, 1995; Temple, 1958) One of few Late Historic sites in IL One of few Late Historic sites in IL

Potawatomi The historic Potawatomi The historic Potawatomi –Displaced by 1800 –Officially removed in 1830’s Material remains (O’Gorman and Farnsworth, 1995) Material remains (O’Gorman and Farnsworth, 1995) –Characteristic of the fur trade –More utilitarian than other sites

Goals 1) Reconstruct biological identities of main individual and commingled individuals –Age, Sex, Stature 2) Inventory and analyze commingled remains 3) Identify pathologies on the bones

Methods Illinois State Museum Illinois State Museum Standard bioarchaeological methods used to reconstruct: Standard bioarchaeological methods used to reconstruct: –Age –Sex –Stature –MNI Published references used to identify/diagnose pathology Published references used to identify/diagnose pathology Fig 1. Taking measurements of bone

Results 6 individuals represented in commingled remains 6 individuals represented in commingled remains Single nearly complete individual: Individual D Single nearly complete individual: Individual D Bones in good condition but fragmentary Bones in good condition but fragmentary

Results Commingled Remains Commingled Remains IndividualElementsAgeSexStature Individual B Mandible with teeth, occipital, temporal,8-10 yearsu/n Individual CFrontal, Parietal, Occipital,6-7 yearsu/n Individual FOccipital3-12 yearsu/n Individual GOccipital6 mo. to 1 yearu/n Individual HHumerus, radius, ulna, tibia (R)adult over 20F62.7 in ± 3.3 Individual IHumerus, radius, ulna (all L)adult over 20M?68.5 in ± 4.1

Results Individual D AgeSexStaturePathology yearsMale68.7 in Periostitis, arthritis, broken ribs, toe and vertebrae, trauma at the elbow

Results Individual D: Evidence of Trauma

Interpretation of Individual B – –Poor health – –Earring at burial?

Interpretation of Individual D Individual D – –Trauma:   Mostly right side of body   Possibly due to a fall   Not cause of death

Relationship to status of Potawatomi Late Historic was a tense time Late Historic was a tense time Individuals had very difficult lives Individuals had very difficult lives Numerous young people Numerous young people Brief glimpse into burial practices Brief glimpse into burial practices

Acknowledgements Thanks to the URCA for funding my project Thanks to the Illinois State Museum for letting me work with the collection and to Dawn Cobb for her excellent mentorship Thanks to Dr. Jen Rehg for her wonderful help and guidance Thanks to the Anthropology Dept. for supporting and encouraging me during the past four years Thanks to my family and friends for all your support and encouragement Without all of you this project would not have been possible

References Citizen Potawatomi Nation. (2008). History. Retrieved march 30, 2010 from Citizen Potawatomi Nation. (2008). History. Retrieved march 30, 2010 from O’Gorman JA, Farnsworth KB Trade and tradition: European trade goods and Late Historic mortuary sites in Illinois. Illinois Archaeology 7: O’Gorman JA, Farnsworth KB Trade and tradition: European trade goods and Late Historic mortuary sites in Illinois. Illinois Archaeology 7: Winger, O The Potawatomi Indians. Elgin Press, Elgin, Illinois Winger, O The Potawatomi Indians. Elgin Press, Elgin, Illinois Temple WC Indian villages of the Illinois Country: Historic tribes. Illinois State Museum, Scientific Papers, vol. 2, pt. 2. Springfield, IL: Illinois State Museum. Temple WC Indian villages of the Illinois Country: Historic tribes. Illinois State Museum, Scientific Papers, vol. 2, pt. 2. Springfield, IL: Illinois State Museum. Wenner D Jr, Burials at Morris Illinois. Ms on file, Illinois State Museum, Springfield. Wenner D Jr, Burials at Morris Illinois. Ms on file, Illinois State Museum, Springfield.