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Response to Critique of the Claim of Cannibalism at Cowboy Wash

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Patricia M. Lambert ,
Banks L. Leonard ,
Brian R. Billman ,
Richard A. Marlar ,
Margaret E. Newman  and
Karl J. Reinhard
Patricia M. Lambert
Affiliation:
Department of Sociology, Social Work, and Anthropology, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-0730
Banks L. Leonard
Affiliation:
Soil Systems Inc, 1121 North 2nd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
Brian R. Billman
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3115
Richard A. Marlar
Affiliation:
Department of Pathology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Denver, CO 80220
Margaret E. Newman
Affiliation:
Department of Archaeology, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada
Karl J. Reinhard
Affiliation:
School of Natural Resource Sciences, University of Nebraska, Lincoln NE 68588-0368
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Abstract

The original authors of Billman et al. (2000) are joined by three other analysts from the Cowboy Wash research team to respond to the critique of this article by Dongoske et al. (2000). Dongoske and his coauthors state that Billman et al. (2000) failed to test alternative hypotheses or to consider alternative explanations for the findings at 5MT10010 and similar sites. The original authors point out that alternative hypotheses were examined and rejected, leaving a violent episode of cannibalism as the most plausible explanation for the remains found at 5MT10010. Dongoske et al. also question many aspects of the osteological, archaeological, coprolite, and biochemical analyses that were presented in the 5MT10010 study. Our response addresses issues of data collection, procedure, and interpretation, and attempts to clarify some points that were not fully developed in the original text due to length restrictions.

Resumen

Resumen

Los autores de Billman et al. (2000) se onen a tres de los analistas que participaron en las investigaciones de Cowboy Wash para responder a la critica del artículo por Dongoske et al. (2000). Dongoske et al. declaran que Billman et al. no evaluaron hipótesis alternativas, o consideraron otras explicaciones respecto a los descubrimientos de 5MT10010yde sitios semejantes. Los autores originales responden que hipótesis alternativas para explicar los hallazgos de 5MT10010 fueron examinadas y rechazadas, dejando así un episodio violento de canibalismo como la única explicación posible. Además, Dongoske et al. cuestionan varios aspectos de los análisis osteológicos, arqueológicos, coprológicos, y bioquímicos que fueron presentados en el estudio de 5MT10010. Nuestra respuesta se dirige a preguntas sobre de los datos, procedimientos e interpretaciones, mientras trata de clarificar ciertos puntos que no fueron completamente elaborados en el texto original debido a limitaciones de espacio.

Type
Comments
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 65 , Issue 2 , April 2000 , pp. 397 - 406
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 2000

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