A Burial Cache from the Spokane Region

Extract

Burial practices are currently of considerable interest in terms of the developing patterns of Plateau culture sequences. Material documentation of prehistoric and historic burial procedure is now extensive though admittedly controversial in sequential interpretation. Suggestions as to covert behavioral responses accompanying the disposition of physical remains and attendant paraphernalia are much less satisfactory.

The authors recently had called to their attention a cache of aboriginal artifacts which suggested a funeral practice, perhaps widespread in the Plateau, but occurring supplementary to the archaeo-ethnically recognized forms of burial.