Abstract
Cemeteries are more than physical terrain assigned to the dead but rather, they can be a living space that directly reflects the participating community and their culture (D. S. Miller & Rivera, 2006; Francis, 2003). Many cemeteries fall into disarray and most of these cemeteries belong to disenfranchised populations. Unfortunately, these populations that were segregated in life suffered similar discrimination in death as evidenced by various uncovered forgotten or abandoned African American cemeteries. Blatant discrimination, profit motivation, and federal disregard for different sociocultural perspectives historically fostered the prejudicial burial patterns seen in cemeteries (Davidson, 2006; Ritchie, 2005). Forensic anthropologists assisting with the recovery, repatriation, and mitigation of these remains provide a unique opportunity to tell the story of these ‘forgotten’ people. Osteological analysis essential to aid in the identification of these individuals is highly dependent on the taphonomic history and state of preservation of the remains. If the remains are heavily degraded, analysis and subsequent identification efforts to connect the remains to descendent communities can be next to impossible. Understanding the taphonomic ‘life’ of bones after ‘death’ is essential to aid in recovery, identification, and repatriation of remains. In Duval County, Florida, a lost or forgotten historical African American cemetery was identified as Eastport “No Name” (Colored) African American cemetery (Work Progress Administration, 1940 – 1941). Out of respect and sensitivity to the lived stories of the individuals interred, I refer to the cemetery as the Eastport Cemetery. Osteological analysis of these heavily disturbed, fragmented, and commingled remains allows those individuals to not be forgotten and aid in the effort to lay them to rest properly. The recovered skeletal material comprised 3,047 human bone fragments. Analysis yielded a minimum number of 23 individuals (MNI) consisting of five juveniles and eighteen adults. I examined the taphonomic alterations and state of preservation of the reconstructed fragments and re-associated individuals (Bello, et al., 2006; Pokines & Symes, 2014; Sorg & Haglund, 1996). Taphonomic alterations were assessed on the reconstructed remains by examining evidence of scavenging (e.g. pits, punctures, furrows, and scoring), color changes (e.g. soil staining, metal staining, and sun bleaching), plant change (e.g. root etching, roots present on cortical surface, and roots present in trabeculae), morphological changes (e.g. postmortem breakage, plastic deformation, and warping), and cortical surface changes (e.g. flaking, cracking, delamination, exfoliation, and coffin wear). Additionally, each individual was also assessed for preservation and taphonomic alterations by bone type (cranial, dentition, vertebrae, upper long bones, ribs, ossa coxae, and lower long bones).
The study found statistically significant relationships between age and color changes, plant change, morphological changes, and cortical surface changes. Significant relationships were also found between age and bone type for long bones, ribs, and ossa coxae segments. Additionally, this study found a significant relationship between taphonomic alteration subcategory and dentition. Statistically significant relationships were also found between bone type and scavenging and cortical surface change occurrences. Overall, the sample showed a high degree of taphonomic alteration and low degree of skeletal preservation. These findings are likely due to the heavy postmortem disturbance and intrinsic factors affecting these remains. These findings contribute to the African diaspora literature and forensic anthropological research. The results of this study demonstrate the need to investigate the dereliction suffered by the cemeteries of underrepresented groups in an effort to further cemetery preservation efforts and more inclusive legislation.