SIR Medicine Investigation Abstract
CORPUS DELECTI: PROJECT "TOO GOOD"
Presenters:
Lynda Ikejimba, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL, 60506; tasuli28@imsa.edu
Lauren Jarocha, Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy, 1500 West Sullivan Road, Aurora, IL, 60506; myst013@imsa.edu
Mentor:
Dr. Anne Grauer, Loyola University, Department of Sociology and Anthropology, 6525 N. Sheridan Rd, Chicago, IL, 60626; 773-508-3464; 773-508-3480; agrauer@luc.edu
Abstract:
In September we undertook a project called "Too Good" under the guidance of Dr. Anne Grauer, a biological anthropologist at Loyola University Chicago. This project consisted of cleaning, numbering, and identifying over 2000 pieces of human bone discovered at an archaeological site (called the Too Good Site) near Elgin, Illinois. The recovered bones range in size from the entire femur to fragments the size of nail clippings. Over the course of two semesters we attempted to anatomically identify the bones in the collection, focusing on what part of the body it came from; the side, if applicable; the fragment segment, if a long bone; age at death; sex; and pathology.
The collection consists of multiple individuals of varying ages. There is at least one juvenile individual represented in the group, evident from epiphyses (areas of growth and fusion). Older individuals have been discovered with distinguishing characteristics such as arthritis. Our goal is to identify all bone fragments, catalogue and evaluate them to determine minimum number of individuals present in this collection, and to acquire any other available information pertaining to these individuals.