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Skye
Chang
Research Training Program, 2003
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Lost and Found: Forensic Analysis of an 1862 Cast Iron Coffin Abstract Valuable information on the past, its people, and the societies they lived in can be obtained from archaeological contexts, among which human remains and burials provide a detailed source of information. The discovery and excavation of a cast iron coffin from the Civil War period comprises an exceptional opportunity to study relatively well-preserved human remains and associated artifacts. This
research focuses on the compilation of historic data and information
collected from the examination of a skeleton derived from a cast iron
coffin. This coffin was excavated from Pulaski, Tennessee in 2002 during
the relocation of a known historic family cemetery. The burial contained
the only unmarked cast iron coffin, thus an investigation to reveal
the identity of the individual was desired prior to its reburial. Historical
documentation regarding the primary and secondary excavations, casket
manufacture, and genealogical information were examined alongside textile
and skeletal data in order to identify the remains as those of Isaac
Newton Mason (1828-1862), a private in the 1st Tennessee Cavalry Regiment
during the Civil War.
The cast iron coffin is identified as a Fisk model 3 plain case coffin. This particular model was introduced in 1854 and patented in 1858. It was torpedo shaped and featured a plain cover with a clear glass plate over the face portion.
The
skeleton was in excellent condition and was uniformly black in color
due to iron-sulfide staining. CT
scan of remains before osteological analysis. Although the skeleton
was shifted due to postmortem processes, it could still be determined
that the deceased was buried in a supine position with hands folded
across the abdomen. The individual is identified as a White male of European ancestry based on features of the skull. The individual is determined to be 35 to 39 years based on age-related changes of the pubic symphysis, auricular surfaces, cranial suture closure, and dental and bone pathology Sex
is identified as male, based on the morphology of the skull and pelvis
and the relatively large joints and teeth. The stature of this individual
was approximately 5'10".
The acetabulae exhibit slight superior elongation. The femora have Poirier’s facets. The attachment ridges of the ilio-femoral ligaments are raised and clearly defined on the proximal femora. Multiple thoracic vertebrae display Schmorl’s nodes on the centra. Lipping, osteophyte formation, and compression are noted on the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae. The tibiae have defined soleal lines on the posterior proximal surface.
The iron coffin contained a complete, clothed skeleton. The individual was wearing a tailor-made black broadcloth frock coat, a black silk and taffeta tie, a silk vest, tailor-made wool trousers, and a pair of custom made riding boots. The modification of the clothes and the presence of footwear are indicative of a death away from home with some time between death and burial. The frock coat was halved by a large slit that ran up the back. This slit would have broadened the coat, thereby simplifying the process of inserting the arms if the body was undergoing the initial stages of decomposition. Brain matter and other tissue samples were tested for a variety of drugs, including arsenic and strychnine. These chemicals were popular in embalming tonics during the late 1800’s. There was no evidence of embalming in this individual; however, nicotine was found in the hair samples. Annotated tomography taken before osteological examination showing the foot bones within the boots. The onset of rigor mortis would have made dressing very difficult and changing shoes almost impossible. The leather custom-made riding boots. This style is characteristic of riding boots during the 1850’s and 1860’s. Tears made along the entire seam of the right trouser leg and the lower portion of the trousers suggest redressing over the riding boots. Shoes of any kind are rarely found in historic burials.
The remains are identified as Isaac Newton Mason (1828-1862) based on the correlation between coffin, textile, and skeletal analysis and historical documentation.
National
Science Foundation, Grant DBI-0243512; Division of Physical Anthropology,
National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution; Mary Sangrey,
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