Conference Presentations by Patrisha Meyers-Gidusko, M.A., RPA
In 2013, renovations of the Red House, Trinidad and Tobago’s Parliament building, revealed human ... more In 2013, renovations of the Red House, Trinidad and Tobago’s Parliament building, revealed human remains buried under the building’s lower levels. Excavations and radiocarbon dating indicate the remains are pre-Columbian with dates ranging between approximately AD 125 and AD 1395. An osteological analysis of the skeletal material was conducted to determine the demographic profile and the pathological conditions exhibited by the collective skeletal “population.” An MNI of 60 individuals was determined, including 47 adults and 13 juveniles (one infant, eight young children, three older children, and one adolescent). The skeletal completeness of these individuals ranges from just one bone to more than 90% complete. Where possible, sex was determined and included 11 females and 17 males (including the one adolescent). A total of 35 individuals (58.3%) exhibit one or more pathological condition, which include four examples and two possible examples of artificial cranial modification representing both sexes. Furthermore, six individuals exhibit healed fractures including possible examples of direct trauma and one individual, an adolescent male (A-CEP7-1), exhibits a possible perimortem depressed cranial fracture. Additionally, three individuals exhibit activity related humeral bilateral asymmetry, recognized by expanded cortical thickness and enlarged muscle attachment sites. While not a representative population, an osteobiographical approach allows us to reconstruct expressions of health, diet, lifestyle and disease for these ancient peoples, the first large fully excavated skeletal population from Western Trinidad. These osteological results are a significant contribution to the limited bioarchaeological research available for the Caribbean’s pre-contact period.
Forensic anthropologists rely on a variety of evidence to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI) ... more Forensic anthropologists rely on a variety of evidence to estimate the postmortem interval (PMI) of a decedent, which includes gross decomposition rates, the life stages of insects, and the degradation of associated material evidence. The degradation of material evidence, in particular, is an underutilized area in estimating PMI. Degraded clothing is a common type of material evidence recovered in association with skeletonized remains that is also modified by taphonomic processes. While previous research has been undertaken regarding how degraded fabric can be used as an indicator of PMI, there is no standard methodology for the research design or standard to quantify the extent of fabric degradation. The purpose of this project was to analyze the degradation of four different fabrics in central Florida and to develop a comprehensive scoring system and descriptive methodology to be used as a replicable standard for scoring fabric degradation. In addition to providing standards for future research, the PMI guidelines developed are applicable to the PMI analysis of forensic cases. Four different types of fabric were placed at three different depths. Fabric swatches were collected at one month intervals for the duration of six months. Macroscopic analysis was utilized to quantify the levels of fabric degradation. Several trends were noted: cotton exhibited the highest level of degradation and the degradation of cotton fabric increased with depth, while all other fabric types demonstrated slightly more degradation on the ground surface than below ground. Swatches of all fabric types that were positioned flat tended to degrade more than those that were positioned crumpled. These trends contribute to the understanding of fabric degradation, which is critical to establishing a long term PMI for skeletal remains and offers a promising area of research for forensic anthropologists to expand their interdisciplinary tool kit and stimulate new areas of research.
Patrisha Meyers, Kevin Gidusko, Lareyne Ellebracht
Research in recent decades makes a strong cas... more Patrisha Meyers, Kevin Gidusko, Lareyne Ellebracht
Research in recent decades makes a strong case for the continuation and creolization of African cultural practices in the Americas, reflecting beliefs and traditions associated with those found in African areas heavily involved in the historic slave trade. One of the most enduring practices encompasses death and interment traditions. Preliminary investigations into African-American internment styles in several areas of Florida, specifically relating to the pronounced predilection for surface level vaulted or false vaulted styles, suggests these internment choices may relate to burial practices borne to the Americas during the era of the slave trade.
Publications by Patrisha Meyers-Gidusko, M.A., RPA
General Interest Publications by Patrisha Meyers-Gidusko, M.A., RPA
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Conference Presentations by Patrisha Meyers-Gidusko, M.A., RPA
Research in recent decades makes a strong case for the continuation and creolization of African cultural practices in the Americas, reflecting beliefs and traditions associated with those found in African areas heavily involved in the historic slave trade. One of the most enduring practices encompasses death and interment traditions. Preliminary investigations into African-American internment styles in several areas of Florida, specifically relating to the pronounced predilection for surface level vaulted or false vaulted styles, suggests these internment choices may relate to burial practices borne to the Americas during the era of the slave trade.
Publications by Patrisha Meyers-Gidusko, M.A., RPA
General Interest Publications by Patrisha Meyers-Gidusko, M.A., RPA
Research in recent decades makes a strong case for the continuation and creolization of African cultural practices in the Americas, reflecting beliefs and traditions associated with those found in African areas heavily involved in the historic slave trade. One of the most enduring practices encompasses death and interment traditions. Preliminary investigations into African-American internment styles in several areas of Florida, specifically relating to the pronounced predilection for surface level vaulted or false vaulted styles, suggests these internment choices may relate to burial practices borne to the Americas during the era of the slave trade.