Grave site processing Flashcards
What are the Farch’s responsibilities?
- Record their actions at the scene
- Ensure that the feature is investigated using the most appropriate archaeological technique
- Maintain stratigraphic integrity
- Maximise the recovery of the evidence
- Advise on sampling collections
- Understand scene protocols
What is a mass burial?
A mass of bodies (organised or disorganised) in intimate contact with each other and deposited in the same grave.
What is a multiple burial?
Simultaneous deposition of several bodies
What is a collective burial?
Deposition of multiple bodies over a period of time.
What is a common feature of multiple burials/mass graves?
Differential preservation between individuals and remains of single individuals ➔ difference is greater the more commingled the remains, the larger the mass, and the more contact there is between bodies.
What is the main driver of decomposition?
Temperature is the main driver of decomposition in mass graves
What happens to bodies at the centre of mass graves?
Bodies at the centre are exposed to taphonomic factors and agents within the mass.
What happens to bodies on the periphery of mass graves?
Bodies on the periphery are exposed to taphonomic factors and agents at the interface between mass, the deposit, and the grave cut (feather-edge effect).
- Bodies on the periphery tend to decompose and skeletonise quicker than those at the centre.
How should you excavate & recover a mass burial?
Buried remains
❑ The most successful method is eyewitness testimony.
❑ Probe potential sites (e.g. ground-penetrating radar, aerial photography, LiDAR, geoelectrical/magnetic techniques, identify soil/vegetation disturbances/irregularities).
❑ Complete a simple sketch map indicating:
▪ Directionality.
▪ Grave location (GPS coordinates).
▪ Relocatable features (i.e. reference feature).
▪ Notes where probes/search techniques
were employed.
What are metal detectors essential for in mass burials?
Use of a metal detector is essential to identify munitions, metal fixtures, and/or clothing.
What are the steps for excavating and recovering buried remains in mass burials?
Condition, trenches
❑ Step 1: compare the present condition of the site to its condition at the end of the test excavation.
❑ Step 2: relocate and empty the test trenches (if time has passed since they were dug).
❑ Step 3: remove grave fill to a depth of 30cm over bodies
❑ Step 4: excavate border trenches around the perimeter of the grave site to assist with drainage.
❑ Step 5: The removal of bodies.
What should you take care of when excavating mass burials?
❑ Great care must be taken not to damage skin, especially around the face and hands
❑ Take care not to disarticulate remains.
What should you do after removing bodies from a mass burial
❑ Search beneath the removed body for any remaining evidence potentially associated with that body.
❑ Once all bodies are removed, the bottom of the grave must be scoured for additional evidence (incl. the use of metal detectors).
If the body is intact…
❑ Excavate soil to base of body.
❑ Use log-roll technique to lift body
❑ Collect any residue & soil samples from beneath body.
❑ Sieve soil from beneath and around body for evidence.
❑ Bag hands and feet w/ brown bags & zip ties/elastic bands
If the body is skeletonised…
❑ Ensure, as far as possible, all bones are exposed before removal.
❑ DO NOT pull bones out of the ground!
❑ Lift bones individually after recording.
❑ Lightly clean bones (NO water).
❑ Bag L & R bones separately.
❑ Bag the fourth rib separately.
❑ Secure bones for transport to limit damage.
How should you package remains?
❑ NEVER mark bones directly.
❑ Each bone should be identified inside AND
outside of its packaging URN + precise location
❑ For soft-tissue-free bones, place in brown
paper bags ➔ avoids mould build-up from moisture.
❑ Include padding (e.g. bubble wrap) between
packages when sealing in transport box/body
bag.
What bones should be packaged separately?
❑ The skull (cranium + mandible) should be packaged separately to ensure teeth and soil inside the skull are retained for analysis
❑ Vertebrae should be packaged by group (i.e.
cervical, thoracic, and lumbar)
❑ Innominates & sacrum (pelvic bones) should also be packaged separately with special attention given to preserving the pubic
symphyseal faces
Excavation and Recovery of multiple burials/mass graves
Tested, horizontal, excavation, document, cross
❑ Large graves should be tested before excavation.
❑ Determine amount of overburden AND horizontal extent of the grave.
❑ Design appropriate excavation strategy, logistical needs & scope of project.
❑ Undertake thorough documentation of site (incl. photographing & detailed mapping indicating contouring and all surface features.
❑ Use of a metal detector is essential to identify munitions, metal fixtures, and/or clothing
❑ Begin cross-trenching (1m wide) to minimally extend to edges of grave and to a depth of the top of the bodies.
❑ Have monitor to observe soil being removed and stop test-trencher(s) should any non-soil material be encountered
What should the final product be in excavation & recovery of mulitple burials/mass graves?
- Map showing site area,
- trenches,
- human remains,
- grave pit,
- depth of top layer of bodies
- photographic record of process
- photo log
- evidence log.
What can videotaping help?
Videotaping/camera trapping the grave site 24hrs/day helps document any disturbance (intentional or otherwise) and conversely proves that no disturbance has occurred.
Cranium
Multiple burials/mass graves
Plot horizontal and vertical position of cranium, and plot body outlines.
Hands and feet
multiple burials/mass graves
Wrap hands and feet in bags as soon as exposed to preserve personal identifying information (e.g. rings), perimortem fractures/amputations/wounds (e.g. defence wounds).
Skin
Multiple burials/mass graves
Great care must be taken not to damage skin, especially around face and hands (use bamboo tools and brushes).
Body
Multiple burials/mass graves
Photograph, map and describe body in detail prior to removal.
