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Warfare Marker
Photographer: William J. Toman
Taken: September 4, 2010
Caption: Warfare Marker
Additional Description: Some people at Aztalan met violent deaths. Whether those deaths are the result of warfare is a different question. Since the early 1900's, it has been suggested that warfare and cannibalism were important factors at Aztalan, and may have led to disintegration of the society. However, of the burials found, only one contains clear evidence of violent death (an arrow embedded in one person's temple). The reason that cannibalism is tied to warfare is the assumption that individuals being eaten were enemies of [war or captives]. Evidence of cannibalism [comes from the fragmentary] nature of the human bones found, cut marks on the bones, and the location of human bones in garbage pits. However, this evidence does not prove that flesh was consumed or that these folks were enemies, as there are many common Mississippian mortuary practices that include processing of bodies, often as a sign of respect for and tracking of ancestors.
Submitted: October 30, 2010, by William J. Toman of Green Lake, Wisconsin.
Database Locator Identification Number: p134076
File Size: 3.732 Megabytes

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