The Archaeology of the Yakima ValleySmith, Harlan Ingersoll
History
The Archaeology of the Yakima Valley
Smith, Harlan Ingersoll
Yakima River Valley (Wash.) -- Antiquities
Grave No. 32. Rock-slide grave located about 30 feet
south southwest of grave No. 31 and in the same
rock-slide. It had the same characteristics but had
evidently been disturbed, the skull being missing. No
artifacts were found in the grave.
99-4327. Adult skeleton without skull and some bones of a
little child. The bones of an adult were found in a heap
except the vertebrae which lay extended full length;
cervical vertebrae to the north. The bones of one ankle,
a tibia, and fibula were diseased. The cervical vertebrae
are anchylosed; and one of the ribs is abnormal. The
bones of the knees are partly bleached. The bones of the
child being found between the ribs and the pelvis suggest
that it was foetal.
* * * * *
Grave No. 33. Rock-slide grave located 40 feet south
southwest from grave No. 31 in the same rock-slide with
it. There was nothing on the surface to indicate this
grave, but below the surface of the slide on the upper
side of the grave, were three rows of sticks, about 3
feet long, standing vertically and close to each other.
These seemed to be so placed that they would prevent the
slide from further movement towards the grave. The grave
cavity was 5 feet south southeast by 4 feet east
northeast and 4 feet deep on one side, 3 feet on the
other, or averaging about 3-1/2 feet deep, and extending
into the soil below the slide. Numbers 99-4328 and
202-8229 to 202-8230 were found in this grave.
99-4328. In the bottom of the grave the skeleton of a
youth was found. It was in good condition, lying on its
back, facing west, but having rolled westward. The legs
were flexed so that the femora lay at right angles or to
the southeast of the pelvis, and the tibiae and fibulae
lay parallel to them. The arms lay extended at the sides
of the body with the hands on the pelvis. Three of the
arm bones and one pelvis bone are stained by copper. The
tibia of a child was found with these.
202-8229. Mat of twined rushes found under the pelvis.
The rushes were stitched together in pairs with cord and
each pair was twisted once between each stitch (Fig. 71).
202-8230. Open twine matting of rushes held together with
cords woven around them, skin with hair on it, and in
this were copper beads strung with beads made of
dentalium shells on a leather thong (Fig. 72).
* * * * *
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account