Taphonomy of Human Remains from Point San Jose Hospital, San Francisco

The human remains recovered from the pit excavated near the Point San Jose Hospital were analyzed to determine the possible causes of the observable taphonomic modifications. Microscopy was used to distinguish root etchings from incised and saw cut marks. Localized staining was analyzed using portable X-ray fluorescence. The results of these analyses suggest that the remains had previously been used as teaching specimens or were the result of practice medical amputations. These remains were eventually improperly discarded along with medical waste in an unmarked pit on the grounds of the fort.