14 #2
Debs spread out a tarp and started quickly and efficiently unloading the first bin. Mandy peered over the petite anthropologist’s shoulder at the mottled brown and green remnants.
“They certainly look old.”
“The acidity of our soil around here, plus the aforementioned freeze and thaw cycles, have a tendency to make all bones appear old,” Debs stated. “Which makes expert analysis all the more important.”
“What are you analyzing?” Theo asked.
“From an anthropology point of view, I’m trying to answer four key questions.
First, is it even bone? To which I can assure you, yep, definitely bone.
Then, is it human bone? Also, definitely positive.
Then, is it modern bone? That’s trickier, though we have some environmental data that suggests these may be historic unidentified human remains.
Not quite ready to commit on that just yet, though.
Final question: Can we identify the bones?
“Also can’t answer that, though I can determine some pieces of the puzzle.
Looking at the jawbone of the skull, the third molars have erupted, signifying an individual who’s eighteen or older—generally speaking.
The sternal ends of the rib bones…not seeing pronounced crab claws, which suggests not older adulthood. Hmm…”
Debs continued to scrutinize, picking up varying pieces, turning them over in her gloved hands. Another bin arrived up top. More sifting and studying of the fresh fragments.
“All right,” she announced abruptly. “Pelvic bone indicates female. Looking at the morphology of the pubic symphysis…Hmm…”
The forensic anthropologist lapsed back into silence, which even Mandy could tell by now wasn’t a natural state.
Fourth bin to the top…
“Clavicle,” Debs declared abruptly. She traced the end of a green-and-white-mottled fragment. “Check it out. Unfused. Which tells me, along with the molars, pubic symphysis, and sternal rib ends, we’re dealing with a young adult, approximately eighteen to twenty-five years old.”
“A young woman,” Mandy stated.
“Exactly. And just to keep things spicy…I’m seeing extensive perimortem damage.”
“Perimortem. Pre-death. You can tell that?” Theo, still vying for amateur detective of the month, crouched down beside her. Mandy gave up on playing it cool and kneeled down as well.
“Yeah, couple of things to note here. Postmortem trauma that happens to historic bones causes crumbling. Which is why it is so excellent and awesome that Caleb is the bestest student ever and taking his time to do things right.” Debs raised her voice enough to carry.
A faint acknowledgment came from the well, while several of his firefighting fellows offered supportive claps.
“Perimortem…think of it more like chocolate snapping. Check out this rib.”
Theo leaned closer. Mandy did as well.
“You can see that it’s broken, right here near the end.” Debs outlined the injury with her finger. Theo and Mandy nodded.
“Notice the margin is just as stained as the outside of the bone. Meaning this isn’t a recent break, but happened when the body first entered the well.
Furthermore, there’s a particular pattern to these injuries that’s distinct.
Broken ankle, cracked ribs, fractured skull.
These are classic ‘descent from height’ indicators—as the person fell, they whacked various body parts against the sides of the pit, then hit the ground at force, absorbing that impact up through the skeletal system. ”
“The woman was pushed into the well alive?” Theo asked.
“That scenario would fit with what I’m seeing here. Though again, early days. Do you know when this well ran dry?” Debs glanced at Theo.
“We didn’t even know this site existed,” Theo said. “Let alone its history.” He made a move as if to reach toward the hollow-eyed skull. Debs smacked his hand away, then sighed and reached for a fresh pair of gloves.
“She survived the fall,” Mandy murmured. “If the inside of that well cover is anything to go by, she made it long enough to try to hack her way back out.”
“Which, given the extent of her injuries…” Debs paused thoughtfully. “That was one determined woman.”
“Who would do such a thing?” Theo asked. “Basically, seal up a person alive in an underground pit?”
“That, my friend, I couldn’t tell you. Nor do I have the answer for when.
Cuz, let’s face it, evildoers doing evil things, well, that’s been going on for as long as humans have existed.
But this is the start. You found her. We’ve brought her to the light.
And now her story will be told, whether it’s decades or centuries old. ”
“When will you know more?” Mandy asked.
“Oh, all it takes is time and money. First things first—I’ll pack up the bones for transport to Concord, where Pam will deliver to the ME.
Then, chances are, I’m gonna end up with all of this back at my lab, as next step will be defining the postmortem interval—are we talking forty years ago, or a hundred and forty years ago?
Decisions and budgets will be determined from there. ”
Debs returned her attention to the well, peering over the edge at the firefighter still working below. “Hey, look at that. You’re almost done with the first pass!”
“First pass?”
“Oh, Caleb, this is just the beginning of our quality time together. So, let’s talk wet screening!”
Debs grinned, while from below came the sound of Caleb’s muffled groan.