Bruno Boulestin

Mass cannibalism in the Linear Pottery Culture at Herxheim (Palatinate, Germany)

The Early Neolithic central place at Herxheim is defined by a perimeter of elongated pits containing fragments of human bone, together with pottery imported from areas several hundred kilometres distant. This article offers a context for the centre, advancing strong evidence that the site was dedicated to ritual activities in which cannibalism played an important part.

Three-dimensional imaging of past skeletal TB: From lesion to process

3D imaging has become an essential tool in the field of biological anthropology, notably for human evolution purposes. High resolution virtual 3D reconstructions of original specimens contribute to their preservation and broaden the ability for research, teaching and exchanges. Paleopathology can get substantial benefit from these methods, among others for reconstructing infectious pathological processes on ancient bones. Tuberculosis is frequently diagnosed on ancient human remains; however, some osseous expressions are difficult to interpret using classical methods. We illustrate here the interest of 3D methods for reconstructing processes involved in pathological bone changes due to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection. Four paleopathological specimens attributed to this infection, dating from different time periods and concerning diverse parts of the skeleton have been analyzed using a specific 3D digital chain we have previously developed. These 3D analyses allow to virtually reconstruct the initial location and aspect of the infectious process, its extension as well as its possible diffusion to the surrounding soft tissues. This possible virtual follow-up of the disease leads to the concept of processual paleopathology that we would like to introduce in the field. The 3D methodology can help to improve our knowledge of natural history and evolution of ancient human infections such as tuberculosis.

Conservation du crâne et terminologie : pour en finir avec quelques mots de tête !

RésuméPour décrire les états de conservation du crâne en anthropologie biologique et en bioarchéologie, il est d’usage d’employer une terminologie particulière, qui sous sa forme la plus classique a été diffusée par R.Martin, mais dont l’origine est antérieure. Hélas, cette terminologie a été déclinée en plusieurs variantes antinomiques, tant chez les auteurs de langue anglaise que chez ceux de langue française, de sorte qu’elle est devenue totalement ambigüe et est aujourd’hui inutilisable. Lorsqu’on se penche sur l’étymologie, on trouve deux principales causes aux divergences constatées : d’une part le vocabulaire employé a été introduit par des anthropologues et n’a jamais été pleinement intégré à celui de l’anatomie descriptive, et anthropologie et anatomie constituent deux références qui demeurent partiellement en contradiction ; d’autre part la distinction entre les termes ne repose sur aucune justification étymologique, tous ayant été synonymes à l’origine. Quoi qu’il en soit, il faut absolument abandonner le vocabulaire actuel si nous voulons que les descriptions des états de conservation du crâne aient le minimum de rigueur scientifique exigible. Je propose donc de le remplacer par d’autres termes — tête osseuse, bloc craniofacial, neurocrâne et calotte — qui, sans être nouveaux, ne créent aucune ambigüité et sont immédiatement compréhensibles.AbstractIn biological anthropology and bioarchaeology, a specific terminology is generally used to describe states of conservation of the skull. This terminology, in its most classic form, was disseminated by R. Martin, but it is actually older. With usage — among both English speaking and French speaking authors — it has evolved into variants that not only differ in form but also, unfortunately, in meaning, so that it is now completely ambiguous and useless. If we look into the etymology, two main reasons can be found for these differences: on the one hand, the vocabulary employed in France was introduced by anthropologists and has never been fully integrated into the vocabulary used in descriptive anatomy (anthropological and anatomical references are still sometimes contradictory); on the other hand, since they were all originally synonymous, etymology alone cannot account for the different terms being used. In any case, we simply cannot continue to use the current French vocabulary if we want to maintain at least a minimum of scientific rigour in describing states of conservation of the skull. I suggest replacing this vocabulary with other terms — such as tête osseuse (skull), bloc craniofacial (skull without mandible), neurocrâne (neurocranium) and calotte (skull cap) — which, although not new, will at least avoid ambiguity and be immediately understandable.

A farewell to arms: a deposit of human limbs and bodies at Bergheim, France, c. 4000 BC

Abstract Between c. 4500 and 3500 BC, the deposition of human remains within circular pits was widespread throughout Central and Western Europe. Attempts at forming explanatory models for this practice have proven difficult due to the highly variable nature of these deposits. Recent excavations at Bergheim in Alsace have revealed a particularly unusual variant of this phenomenon featuring a number of amputated upper limbs. The evidence from this site challenges the simplicity of existing interpretations, and demands a more critical focus on the archaeological evidence for acts of systematic violence during this period.