Crime From the Colonial Past

Nothing is more intriguing than the historical past.  We can learn much when we study human remains of the of the past.  Especially ones that are suspicious.  Jump to the future and dig up the bones of a 17th century male who is a indentured servant by trade.

Most indentures would not live out their 4 years of servitude and indenture ship.  This one male found has no name but is said to be not unknown.  The Smithsonian is the “detective anthropologist” in charge of the scene of the crime.

I hear the Smithsonian is of most supreme interest to we amateurs and intellectual elites alike.  Its no wonder they have this body on display. 

Their story has it that a skeleton was found in Anne Arundel County, Maryland.  Buried under fireplace ash, bottle, ceramic fragments and animal bones.

If it werent for the suspicious looking milk pan found on its rib cage remains, used of course to dig the grave one would never have taken a second look.  It now tells of intrigue and mystery.

Forensic anthropologists show how they would analyze bone and artifact to give us a picture on solving the case.   Unlike popular mystery television shows today this is the real thing.

How the story goes, they unearthed some indentured servants of the 17th century and by chance found this male.  They know he was indentured by the bad shape and wear of the teeth and spine indicating hard work and disease. 

The bad news is that some died before their servitude was up which is the usual 4 years.  Some may have been suspicious.

What they found for clues were coins and window fragments that could be dated between 1663 and 1664.  The times indicates when laws were passed to stop this abuse among the indentures by their so called “bosses”.  This says that the boy died between 1665 and 1675. 

His bones show a right fractured wrist suggesting he tried to block a blow.  The speedy burial and injury point to an untimely end.  Fear from these laws show a secret burial and no report of death.

This shows us an insight to the dark and seedier side of indentureship from the 17th Century of Colonial America.  Sounds not to uncommon to the forensic shows of the 20th and 21st centuries.  Seems like nothing really changes to much.