| Cowboy Wash |
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| CATEGORIES ABOUT COWBOY WASH | |
| archaeological cultures | |
| native american history | |
| cannibalism | |
| archaeology of the united states | |
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INITIAL DIG The site, designated 5MT10010, dates to approximately 1150 A.D. It is located near Dolores , approximately 40 miles west of Mesa Verde , the famous Anasazi cliff dwelling. Five of the skeletons at the site were from burials. The remaining seven resembled the bones of Butcher ed animals. There were Stone Tool marks on them, and several looked like they had been stewed. The initial excavation was supervised by University Of North Carolina Archaeologist Brian Billman . The land on which the site was located was owned by a local Ute religious leader, who supervised the dig and reburied the bones once the examination was complete. ANALYSIS OF COPROLITE The initial reports speculating that the seven humans had been cannibalized was met with skepticism from some scientists and criticism by some Native American groups. To demonstrate that the butchered humans were actually consumed, Richard Marlar , a University Of Colorado Molecular Biologist tested a Coprolite (human Feces ) found on site. It tested positive for the human muscle protein Myoglobin , which indicates the feces was the remains of digested human flesh. EXPLANATION According to Billman, the current explanation for the apparent cannibalism was that Drought struck the region, prompting groups to move and seek food. This led to territorial conflicts between groups and a decline in social order. Marauders killed and consumed the people at Cowboy Wash. REFERENCES |
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