Unique Burial Pit Uncovered at Maryland's Pig Point

News December 27, 2012

SHARE:

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, MARYLAND—During this year’s excavations at Maryland’s Pig Point, archaeologists discovered a ritualistic burial place consisting of five or more oval pits containing smashed bits of human bones and artifacts. “This is unreported ritual behavior. The groups repeatedly gathered at this site to trade, fish, conduct rituals, and arrange marriages,” said Al Luckenbach, archaeologist for Arundel County. There are signs of structures at Pig Point dating back 3,000 years.

  • Features November/December 2012

    Zeugma After the Flood

    New excavations continue to tell the story of an ancient city at the crossroads between east and west

    Read Article
    Photo of Belkıs/Zeugma
    (Hasan Yelken/Images & Stories)
  • Letter from India November/December 2012

    Living Heritage at Risk

    Searching for a new approach to development, tourism, and local needs at the grand medieval city of Hampi

    Read Article
    (Gethin Chamberlain)
  • Artifacts November/December 2012

    Beaker Vessels

    Ceramic beakers were the vessels of choice for the so-called “Black Drink” used at Cahokia by Native Americans in their purification rituals

    Read Article
    (Linda Alexander, photographer, use with permission of the Illinois State Archaeological Society)
  • Digs & Discoveries November/December 2012

    The Desert and the Dead

    Read Article
    chinchorro-mummy
    (Courtesy Bernardo Arriaza)