A case of commingled remains from rural South Africa

In the spring of 2003, bush cutters discovered a large grain bag filled with human skeletal remains in a forest in South Africa. Differential taphonomic processes observed on the bones suggested that the individuals had not died at the same time or had decomposed under different circumstances. The remains were sorted using gross morphological techniques which included assessing the number of skeletal elements present, visual pair matching, articulation, process of elimination and taphonomy. Standard techniques were used to estimate age, sex, racial affinity and stature. A minimum number of individuals (MNI) of 10 was established, which included 7 adult males, 1 adult female and 2 juveniles. Trauma was observed on only one individual. Approximately, 80% of the skeletal remains were missing. These various skeletal elements may have been lost by accident, normal taphonomic processes or taken by scavengers. Possible origins for these skeletal remains include removal from a formal grave, found in the veldt or murdered.