Research Article

The death and burial of sunghir 1

  1. E. Trinkaus1,*,
  2. A. P. Buzhilova2,3

Article first published online: 5 NOV 2010

DOI: 10.1002/oa.1227

Additional Information

How to Cite

Trinkaus, E. and Buzhilova, A. P. (2010), The death and burial of sunghir 1. International Journal of Osteoarchaeology. doi: 10.1002/oa.1227

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Anthropology, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA

  2. 2

    Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Moscow State University, Mokhovaya str. 11, Moscow 125009, Russia

  3. 3

    Institute of Archaeololgy of RAS, Dm. Ulianova str. 19, Moscow 117036, Russia

*Department of Anthropology, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA.

Publication History

  1. Article first published online: 5 NOV 2010
  2. Manuscript Accepted: 4 OCT 2010
  3. Manuscript Revised: 30 SEP 2010
  4. Manuscript Received: 12 MAY 2010

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Keywords:

  • human paleontology;
  • Upper Paleolithic;
  • Europe;
  • Russia;
  • paleopathology;
  • vertebra;
  • trauma

Abstract

The Mid Upper Paleolithic Sunghir 1 burial of an older adult male is one of the most elaborate burials known, with red ochre, thousands of mammoth ivory beads, and other body ornaments. Reanalysis and cleaning of the skeletal remains revealed a perimortem incision in the ventral–lateral first thoracic vertebra (T1) body, most likely from a sharp blade or point and the probable cause of death. Context indicates that the trauma was most likely from a hunting accident or social altercation. The unusual cause of death may be correlated with the exceptional burial elaboration of Sunghir 1, adding to the high frequency of unusual individuals in the ‘red ochre’ burials of the Mid Upper Paleolithic. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

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