La Brea Woman
La Brea Woman | |
---|---|
Died | c. 8000 BC[1] (aged c. 22) |
Body discovered | 1914 |
La Brea Woman was a human whose remains were found in the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, California. The remains, first discovered in the pits in 1914, are the partial skeleton of a woman.[2] At around 18–25 years of age at death, she has been dated at 10,220–10,250 years BP (Before Present).[3] These are the only human remains to have ever been discovered at the La Brea Tar Pits.[4]
Archaeological study
Researchers estimate that the woman was about 18–25 years old when she died and was a height of about 4 feet, 8–10 inches (1.5 meters). Judging by her dental samples, scientists suggest she ate a diet of stone-ground meal. Her skull was fractured, which researchers infer was caused by a blow to the head, which may have killed her.[4]
Museum display
The remains consisted of a cranium, mandible, and
They used to be on display in the
In 2009, California forensic artist Melissa R. Cooper created a facial reconstruction based on her skull. The images resulted in controversy regarding their display in addition to ethical questions about the museum's reason for keeping La Brea Woman in hiding.[9]
Associated dog remains
Human bones were found associated with remains of a domestic dog, and so were interpreted to have been ceremonially interred.[10] However, in 2016, it was discovered that the dog remains were only around 3,325 years old, disproving the idea that it was ceremonially interred with her.[3]
See also
References
- ^ a b Burbank, Jon (March 1, 1999). "Tar pits still slowly releasing victims". The Japan Times. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- PMID 17800300.
- ^ S2CID 130862425.
- ^ a b c "The La Brea Woman". Los Angeles Almanac.
- ^ Technical report for power plant construction: Cultural Resources (PDF) (Report). Sacramento, California: California Energy Commission. December 2000. Archived from the original (PDF) on 16 March 2012.
- ^ Wilentz, Amy (20 August 2006). "L.A. Woman". Los Angeles Times.
- ^ a b Cooper, Arnie (May 27, 2010). "Sticky Situation at the Tar Pits". LA Weekly.
- ^ Murphy, William S (April 4, 1987). "La Brea Tar Pits Facility Will Celebrate 10th Anniversary". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 1 September 2010.
- ^ Ng, David (November 24, 2009). "The skeleton that the Page Museum doesn't want you to see". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 19 December 2013.
- ^ Reynolds, R. L. (1985). "Domestic dog associated with human remains at Rancho La Brea". Bulletin of the Southern California Academy of Sciences. 84 (2): 76–85.