Differential deterioration doesn't explain it. We had some very tiny elements
from the present parts preserved in good condition -- i.e, from the feet. No
reason why the ribs and vertebrae would deteriorate when elements of similar
or lesser size and robustity were well-preserved.

Regarding the other message, when I mentioned apotropaic functionalism and put
"head and hooves" in quotes I was thinking of prehistoric European examples --
had no idea this sort of thing continued so late in a European context though.
Thank you! Interesting.

Maureen Basedow
Visiting Asst. Professor
UNCW

>===== Original Message From Brian Kenny <[log in to unmask]> =====
how about differential preservation
some bones deteriorate more readily than others


>From: basedowm <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: partial racoon burial
>Date: Sun, 10 Jun 2001 09:18:30 -0400
>
>From a slave cabin site (late 18th, early 19th century), in a clearly
>defined
>pit next to what was probably a door post, the partial burial of a young
>racoon. That's the odd part - the burial consisted only of complete
>skull/jaw
>parts and long bones/mandibles. Although we had the entire context in situ
>and
>took the entire pit fill back to the lab for fine sieving there was no
>trace
>of spine ribs or anything else in the middle. Yes the young racoon could
>have
>been a buried pet, but why the decided partiality and suggestive location
>(i.e., apotropaic burials near doors/windows at slave cabin sites, etc.) ?
>Does anyone know of a "head and hooves" custom for ritual burial in the
>American Southeast, any period, or any other comments here that might help
>with interpretation. Also, no butchering or cut marks were present,
>although
>this is not terribly significant with an animal this young as it could have
>been easily disarticulated simply by pulling apart once skinned.
>
>Thanks for any help.
>
>Maureen Basedow
>Visiting Assistant Professor of Archaeology
>UNC-Wilmington

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