Dear Jillian
In view of the further info on the mice deposition, eg on a 2nd floor, I'd
be inclined to agree it's more likely a personal ritual rather than a charm
deposition. Ritual behaviour is part of standard human behaviour, so common in
all periods in both individual and broader cultural expressions. It's rather
unfortunate that 'ritual' behaviour attributes are now seen as 'don't know what
else' or as superstition or religious by many. It may have been someone's hoard
of important objects, either child or adult. Whether it was a burial is more
intriquing.
In terms of your deposit, what exactly makes you think the mice were
deposited as skeletons? Are/were the bones articulated? If so, that implies the
presence of soft tissue. It would be extremely hard work to deflesh mice and
maintain articulation -- it would certainly require much consideration and
intent. Is it possible people there had access to biology lab specimens? If the
site is dry and well-ventilated I would expect more a mummification process of
fleshed animals. What other types of materials were found?
Pam Cross
Hi
Rich,
The matchbox was part of a large collection of material (some
deliberately and some accidentally placed) that was located directly under the
floor boards on floor 2 of the asylum. I guess what is most intriguing is that
it appears that it was the skeletons, not the fleshed mice that were placed in
the box as there is other organic material such as paper associated with them.
Cheers,
Jillian
-----Original
Message-----
From: [log in to unmask] [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent:
Friday, 7 May 2010 1:48 PM
To: Jillian Garvey
Subject: Re: [ZOOARCH]
Mice skeletons in a matchbox
Jillian, was the matchbox just in the
subflor space, or was it actually buried in the dirt under the floor? If
it was the later, I'd guess you are looking at a couple of mice kept as "pets"
by children in the asylum, and "buried" when they died.
I'd be very
hesitant to suggest the "symbolic/religious" exdplanation - that just harks
back to a time in archaeology when anything we didn't undersand was attributed
to relgion.
Rich
In a message dated 5/6/2010 8:30:04
P.M. US Mountain Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes:
Hello list,
I have a query from a
colleague who has found two complete mice skeletons in a matchbox under the
floor from the Hyde Park Barracks Destitute Asylum in Sydney, dated between
1860s-1880s. The matchbox was found directly under the entrance door. He is
not sure if there may have been placed there by children (perhaps they were
once pets) or by an adult perhaps as a symbolic/religious gesture. I guess
what is interesting is that the skeletons are in excellent condition so it's
assumed that they weren't found accidently and then placed in the matchbox. If
anyone has come across this sort of thing before and/or and has any advice, it
would be greatly appreciated.
Best
Wishes,
Jillian
--------------------------------------------
Dr Jillian
Garvey
Research Associate
Archaeology
Program
La Trobe University
Victoria,
Australia, 3086
Tel. +61 3 9479 1031
Fax.
+61 3 9479 1881
Mob. 0438 009 661
[log in to unmask]
