Identification of dermestid beetle modification on Neolithic Maltese human bone: implications for funerary practices at the Xemxija Tombs

Jess E. Thompson; Daniel Martín-Vega; Laura T. Buck; Ronika K. Power; Simon Stoddart; Caroline Malone

doi:10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.09.016

Identification of dermestid beetle modification on Neolithic Maltese human bone: implications for funerary practices at the Xemxija Tombs

Jess E. Thompson, Daniel Martín-Vega, Laura T. Buck, Ronika K. Power, Simon Stoddart, Caroline Malone

Department of Ancient History

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

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.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	123-131
Number of pages	9
Journal	Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports
Volume	22
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.09.016
Publication status	Published - 2018

Keywords

Archaeoentomology
Dermestid beetles
Funerary practices
Human bones
Neolithic
Taphonomy
Malta

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10.1016/j.jasrep.2018.09.016

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title = "Identification of dermestid beetle modification on Neolithic Maltese human bone: implications for funerary practices at the Xemxija Tombs",

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.",

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AU - Buck, Laura T.

AU - Power, Ronika K.

AU - Stoddart, Simon

AU - Malone, Caroline

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AB - 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.

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KW - Dermestid beetles

KW - Funerary practices

KW - Human bones

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JO - Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

JF - Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports

ER -

Identification of dermestid beetle modification on Neolithic Maltese human bone: implications for funerary practices at the Xemxija Tombs

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Keywords

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