Artificial cranial modification at the Carson Mound site

Abstract

The Carson Mound site is one of the largest prehistoric ceremonial centers in the Mississippi alluvial valley. It is a Mississippian mound center and dates from approximately 900-1500 AD. In 1894 Cyrus Thomas included a map of this site that showed more than 80 mounds. Unfortunately most of the smaller mounds have been destroyed by more than 100 years of agriculture. Excavations of the site began in 2008. During the summer of 2009 burial pit four finished undergoing excavation with approximately 33 individuals recovered. Out of all the burials found at Carson that have been analyzed all but two are bundle burials. During the excavation of Burial four, one of the mass burial pits, two individuals showing signs of artificial cranial modification were identified. This paper attempts to explain the significance of the artificial cranial modification at the Carson Mound site and determine if it is an indicator of status.