Play or foul play: A case of perimortem cranial injuries on a child from Yaoheyuan, Western Zhou China (1046-771 BCE).

OBJECTIVE

This paper evaluates evidence of trauma observed on a skeleton of a child from Ningxia, China in order to assess the potential cause of the lesions.

MATERIALS: Skeletonized remains of Individual M26:R3 from the site of Yaoheyuan in Western Zhou, dated 1046-771 BCE.

METHODS

Standard osteological methods were carried out. Nano-CT scans were used to determine possible endocranial trauma and to reconstruct the crania. Ancient DNA analysis was conducted on the remains of the three individuals interred in burial M26 to determine possible kinship relationships.

RESULTS

A total of 59 individuals were studied. The individual under examination was a male with an estimated age of 6-9 years old. The child was found alongside two adult females. The osteological analysis and CT scans indicated two perimortem injuries and one possible perimortem sharp force cutmark on his cranium. Ancient DNA analysis performed on the three individuals in burial M26 revealed no familial relatedness.

CONCLUSIONS

The multiple strike marks on the remains of the child, along with the fact that he was the only individual in this burial ground showing clear evidence of sharp force cranial injuries, might suggest a unique incident of violence.

SIGNIFICANCE: This paper demonstrates how the integration of osteoarchaeological observation with ancient DNA analysis can provide insight and contextualization of perimortem events.

LIMITATIONS: Post-depositional disturbance affecting the archaeological contexts of this cemetery complicates the interpretation of this case.

SUGGESTIONS FOR FUTURE RESEARCH: Systematic archaeological and historical data are needed to understand reasons behind violent episodes in ancient China.