Cowboy Wash 3437373 184402900 2008-01-15T02:53:19Z Gwguffey 5620751 Clean up + Disambiguation link repair - ([[Wikipedia:Disambiguation pages maintenance|You can help!]]) using [[Project:AutoWikiBrowser|AWB]] '''Cowboy Wash''' is a site in southwestern [[Colorado]], [[United States]] where in [[1994]] twelve human skeletons were found dating to the [[12th century]], seven of which exhibit signs of [[cannibalism]]. == Initial dig == The site, designated 5MT10010, dates to approximately [[1150]] A.D. It is located near [[Dolores, Colorodo|Dolores]], approximately 40 miles west of [[Mesa Verde]], the famous [[Anasazi]] cliff dwelling. Five of the skeletons at the site were from burials. The remaining seven resembled the bones of [[butcher]]ed animals. There were [[stone tool]] marks on them, and several looked like they had been stewed. The initial excavation was supervised by [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill|University of North Carolina]] [[archaeologist]] [[Brian Billman]]. The land on which the site was located was owned by a local [[Ute Tribe|Ute]] religious leader, who supervised the dig and reburied the bones once the examination was complete. ==Analysis of coprolite== The initial reports speculating that the seven humans had been cannibalized was met with skepticism from some scientists and criticism by some Native American groups. {{ref|cnn20000906a}} To demonstrate that the butchered humans were actually consumed, [[Richard Marlar]], a [[University of Colorado at Boulder|University of Colorado]] [[molecular biologist]] tested a [[coprolite]] (human [[feces]]) found on site. It tested positive for the human muscle protein [[myoglobin]], which indicates the feces was the remains of digested human flesh. {{ref|cnn20000906a}} == Explanation == According to Billman, the current explanation for the apparent cannibalism was that [[drought]] struck the region, prompting groups to move and seek food. This led to territorial conflicts between groups and a decline in social order. ==References== *{{note|nature407}} [http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v407/n6800/full/407074a0.html Biochemical evidence of cannibalism at a prehistoric Puebloan site in southwestern Colorado], ''[[Nature (journal)|Nature]]'', Marlar et al, 407:74-78, (7 September 2000) *{{note|cnn20000906a}} [http://archives.cnn.com/2000/NATURE/09/06/american.cannibals.ap/index.html Lab tests show evidence of cannibalism among ancient Indians], ''[[CNN]]'', [[September 6]] [[2000]] *{{note|archaeology50-5}} [http://www.archaeology.org/9709/newsbriefs/anasazi.html Anasazi Cannibalism?], ''[[Archaeological Institute of America]]'', 50(5), September/October 1997 == External links == *{{note|maptech}}[http://www.maptech.com/announcements/mitn/index.cfm?MITN=000927 Maps in the News: Cowboy Wash, Colorado] [[Category:Archaeological cultures]] [[Category:Native American history]] [[Category:Cannibalism]] [[Category:Archaeology of the United States]] {{archaeology-stub}}