Events / Burials, Bodies and Behavior in the Late Pleistocene

Burials, Bodies and Behavior in the Late Pleistocene

February 9, 2015
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm

Erik Trinkaus


Mary Tileston Hemenway Professor in Arts & Sciences
Professor, Physical Anthropology
more about this speaker

Date: February 9, 2015
Time: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Venue: Whittemore House

Abstract: The Early Upper Paleolithic, between 40,000 and 20,000 years ago, saw the fluorescence of a variety of aspects of human culture, technology, art and social relationships. Across Eurasia and into north Africa it has yielded a number of human burials, often very elaborate ones variably containing jewelry, body decoration, occasional art objects and an abundance of red ochre pigment. There are also instances of isolated human bones and body portions, as well as modified human teeth. Most interestingly, a substantial number of the buried skeletons exhibit unusual developmental and/or degenerative abnormalities. Combined with age and sex biases, these features raise questions about the social complexities of these Pleistocene hunter-gatherers.

 

LUNCH MENU

  •  Roast Top Sirloin of Beef with Mash Potatoes / Gravy & Fresh Vegetable
  •  Mediterranean Vegetable Pie with Goat Cheese & Spinach in Phyllo Pastry 
  •  ½ Tuna Salad Sandwich on Wheat with Fresh Fruit Garnish & Cup of Roasted Tomato Bisque
  • Whole Tuna Salad Sandwich on Wheat with Fresh Fruit
  • Chef’s Salad

Dessert
Vanilla Ice Cream with a Homemade Cookie