Osteophageous insect damage on human bone from Je'reftheel, a Maya mortuary cave site in west-central Belize

摘要

Human bones from the Maya mortuary cave of Je'reftheel in west-central Belize show evidence of taphonomic modifications attributed to insects, with termites and dermestid beetles being the most likely culprits. This study represents the first detailed exploration of the effects of osteophageous insects on bones from the Maya area and thus expands on recent efforts by other researchers working in the region to document taphonomic processes and distinguish them from intentional mortuary treatments.