Recovery Methods for Cremated Commingled Remains: Analysis and Interpretation of Small Fragments Using a Bioarchaeological Approach

International audienceWhen confronted with buried cremated skeletal remains, forensic anthropologists are often limited in their analyses and interpretation by the lack of systematic training and approach to such deposits. This fact is even more salient when anthropologists are faced with burnt commingled remains. How to properly identify small fragments of charred bones, to recover and record them without losing context, and to accurately evaluate biological information are some of the questions addressed in this chapter? Moreover, information regarding the event that led to the burning of the corpses is often neglected in the field losing precious contextual information. To address these issues we will first present key features to identify small cremated fragments or cremains. We will then present methodological recording and excavating procedures to maximize contextual information. Finally, we will explore a GIS approach to analyze the spatial distribution of the cremated remains which will enable us to identify some of the fire’s characteristics such as its origin and spread patterns within the deposit