Abstract:
AN OSTEOLOGICAL AND MORTUARY ANALYSIS OF THE INSANE
ASYLUM OF CALIFORNIA CEMETERY, 1851-1854
by
Erika Collins
Master of Arts in Anthropology
California State University, Chico
Fall 2009
This thesis presents research conducted on 42 burials excavated in 2007
from the Insane Asylum of California cemetery, located in Stockton, California. These
burials represent the first cemetery of the asylum, in use from 1851 until 1854. The research
goals of this project incorporated both an osteological analysis and an analysis of
the mortuary patterns observed at this cemetery. It was hypothesized that the mortuary
patterns afforded to the individuals buried at this cemetery would follow the stylistic
trends of the era, while demonstrating the limited means of the asylum. With regard to
the skeletal remains, it was hypothesized that the osteological data would reveal a population
with generally poor health, a high rate of violence, and a predominantly male
demographic profile. Both the osteological and mortuary data were methodically compared
to a selection of two historic California cemetery excavations; one of the Golden
Gate Cemetery and one of the Sacramento County Hospital cemetery. The mortuary
data was further compared to an almshouse cemetery excavation from Massachusetts.
With regard to the osteological findings, the results of this research revealed that these
individuals did represent a predominantly male population and endured generally poor
health. They did not however, reveal a higher than average incidence of trauma or violence.
For mortuary patterns, the cemetery did not follow expected stylistic trends of the
era. Additionally, the burial practices afforded to these individuals were very minimal.
This research sheds new light on burial practices afforded to marginalized populations
during Gold Rush era California.
