Document Type

Research

Keywords

Iowa archaeology, ossuary, Late Archaic, paleopathology

Abstract

This Late Archaic ossuary, approximately 2800 years old, was discovered near Council Bluffs, Iowa in 1975 during earth moving operations that partially destroyed it. The fragile skeletal remains of 25 individuals ranging from childhood to old age were recovered from the undisturbed portion. Slight to moderate arthritic changes were observed in 4 of the 18 adult skeletons and one example of spondylolysis was encountered. There was no unequivocal evidence of dental caries. Abrasion of the teeth was severe, starting soon after the teeth erupted, and progressing to serious dental complications in one-third of the adults over 20 years of age. A similar number of adults were afflicted with periodontal disease. Two teeth of a child between 1 and 2 years of age showed pigmentation suggestive of erythroblastosis fetalis.

Publication Date

September 1978

Journal Title

Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science

Volume

Issue

First Page

Last Page

Copyright

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File Format

application/pdf

Recommended Citation

Fisher, Alton K. (1978) "Paleopathology of an Archaic Ossuary at the Lewis Central School Site in Pottawattamie County, Iowa," Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science, 85(3), 88-90.
Available at: https://scholarworks.uni.edu/pias/vol85/iss3/5

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Paleopathology of an Archaic Ossuary at the Lewis Central School Site in Pottawattamie County, Iowa

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