Ancient Native Americans buried these bone pendants and shell beads together with the bobcat. Kenneth Farnsworth
Posted on 07/05/2015 11:24:23 PM PDT by SunkenCiv
About 2000 years ago in what is today western Illinois, a group of Native Americans buried something unusual in a sacred place. In the outer edge of a funeral mound typically reserved for humans, villagers interred a bobcat, just a few months old and wearing a necklace of bear teeth and marine shells. The discovery represents the only known ceremonial burial of an animal in such mounds and the only individual burial of a wild cat in the entire archaeological record, researchers claim in a new study. The villagers may have begun to tame the animal, the authors say, potentially shedding light on how dogs, cats, and other animals were domesticated...
The mound is one of 14 dirt domes of various sizes that sit on a bluff overlooking the Illinois River, about 80 kilometers north of St. Louis. Their builders belonged to the Hopewell culture, traders and hunter-gatherers who lived in scattered villages of just a couple of dozen individuals each and created animal-inspired artwork, like otter-shaped bowls and ceramics engraved with birds...
When they dug into the largest one -- 28 meters in diameter and 2.5 meters high -- they unearthed the bodies of 22 people buried in a ring around a central tomb that contained the skeleton of an infant. They also discovered a small animal interred by itself in this ring...
Decades later, Angela Perri realized... that they belonged to a bobcat, likely between 4 and 7 months old. The skeleton was complete, and there were no cut marks or other signs of trauma, suggesting to Perri that the animal had not been sacrificed. When she looked back at the original excavation photos, she saw that the bobcat had been carefully placed in its grave.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.sciencemag.org ...
Ancient Native Americans buried these bone pendants and shell beads together with the bobcat. Kenneth Farnsworth
I wonder, seeing as it was not a fully grown bobcat, if a relative had recently died and they thought it was a reincarnation? (And then the cat died?) I know the natives had associations with the animal spirits and were given their names, but not sure about the reincarnation thing.
BTW - Bobcat Goldthwaite is still alive - right?
Ha ha!
Yep - I'd say thats a good guess...
Rest in peace first little Lolcats, little bob kitten.
It’s interesting about the bobcat but I wonder why the infant was in the central tomb. Was it simply the nucleus of a new burial mound, or was it an important baby somehow?
Somebody probably figured out that cats are too unsanitary to keep in the house.
Cats probably think the same thing about us, but we’re a necessary evil.
That’s exactly what the environmentalist wackos say. Check out the list of diseases (and severity of same) transmitted by cats to people. Got nothing against cats, but they stay outside around here.
> Cats probably think the same thing about us, but we’re a necessary evil.
Well, I’m not an environmentalist wacko, and if any e.w. has ever said the above, which is what I said, I’d really love to see the sources.
http://www.health24.com/Medical/Diseases/Diseases-from-cats-Client-20120721
Diseases that cats spread to humans fall into two main groups, namely parasitic infestations and bacterial or viral infections. There are very few diseases that can spread from cats to humans. The only two that have potentially serious/fatal consequences to normally healthy people are toxoplasmosis and rabies. Cat faeces can be the source of many infections and should not be handled without gloves. Washing of hands after handling faeces is essential. All bite and scratch marks should be washed immediately with hot water and disinfectant or soap.
I’m sure that everyone is wearing gloves and washing hands. I have many times viewed the scene of cats taking a s—t in a litter box, scratching around in the faeces, and jumping in to childrens’ or owners’ arms for some affection. As an archaeologist I personally have known instances where field personnel (women) have been infected with toxoplasmosis.
Sorry about the environmentalist wacko quip, but I have heard them say we should eliminate humanity (not THEM, of course) so that Mother Nature can return to Her pristine state. Again, sorry about that one. Not trying to pick one with you. I admire your posts.
I’m sure that everyone is wearing gloves and washing hands. I have many times viewed the scene of cats taking a s—t in a litter box, scratching around in the faeces, and jumping in to childrens’ or owners’ arms for some affection. As an archaeologist I personally have known instances where field personnel (women) have been infected with toxoplasmosis.
Sorry about the environmentalist wacko quip, but I have heard them say we should eliminate humanity (not THEM, of course) so that Mother Nature can return to Her pristine state. Again, sorry about that one. Not trying to pick one with you. I admire your posts.
I want that pin.
Thanks.
;’)
I’ve always wanted to have one of those small backhoes for stuff around the yard.
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