Osteology of Social Organization: Residence Pattern

Abstract

AbstractSince laboratory studies on skeletal variations have validated the use of non-metric osteological traits to genetically distinguish populations, a direct relationship between these traits and biological reality can be assumed. Because of this relationship, it is possible to conceive the central thesis of this paper: to the degree that any social organizational feature corresponds to the biological referents of the kinship system, osteological data can be used to elucidate that feature. The kinds of problems that might be investigated are limited by the archaeological determination of certain social units. In the present study, a method is developed to test for residence pattern. This method is applied to data from the Allegany reservation (Seneca) dating from the 1850's to 1930. Ethnohistorical sources support the conclusions of the osteological analysis.