Historiography and forensic analysis of the Fort King George “skull”

Craniometric assessment using the specific population approach

Datos Bibliográficos

ID8316264
AutoresC M Stojanowski (0000-0003-3866-4999, Arizona State University, autor de correspondencia), William N Duncan (St. John Fisher College)
Año2009
Volumen140
Número2
Páginas275-289
Fecha de publicación2009-10-01
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 0002-9483 • E-ISSN: 1096-8644
EditorialWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ajpa.21067
PMID19373845
OpenAlexW2167502932
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas3
Referencias citadas72

In this article, we evaluate the association between the Fort King George “skull” and two Franciscans who were killed during a Guale revolt in 1597 and whose remains were never recovered (Pedro de Corpa and Francisco de Veráscola). The history and historiography of the revolt is summarized to generate a forensic profile for the individuals. The calvaria is described in terms of preservation, taphonomy, possible trauma, age, and sex. Because these factors are consistent with the individuals in question, population affinity is assessed using comparative craniometric analysis. In response to recent criticism of the typological nature of forensic population affinity assessment, we use a population specific approach, as advocated by Alice Brues (1992). Archaeological and historical data inform the occupation history of the site, and data from those specific populations are used in the comparative analysis. Results of linear discriminant function analysis indicate a low probability that the calvaria is a Guale (the precontact inhabitants of southeastern Georgia) or an individual of African descent. Comparison among European and Euro‐American populations indicated poor discriminatory resolution; however, the closest match suggests a New World affinity rather than an Old World English, Scottish, or Iberian affinity for the specimen. Future analyses that will provide greater resolution about the identity of the calvaria are outlined. The case highlights the unique challenges of historical forensics cases relative to those of traditional jurisprudence, as well as the potential for using historiography to overcome those challenges in future analyses. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc

Archaeology · Art · Art history · Biology · Calvaria · Criminology · Criticism · Discriminant function analysis · Genealogy · Geography · George (robot) · Historiography · Literature · Paleopathology · Population · Sociology · Statistics · Demography · Forensic and Genetic Research · Forensic Anthropology and Bioarchaeology Studies · History · Paleopathology and ancient diseases