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Echoes of the Ancestors: Uncovering Medieval Burials in Kenya’s Central Highlands

September 10 @ 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Cleveland Museum of Art
11150 East Blvd
Cleveland, 44106 United States


AIA Society: Cleveland

What can ancient graves tell us about the lives, beliefs, and bodies of people who lived centuries ago? In the Central Highlands of Kenya, archaeologists have uncovered a rare and intriguing find: three double burials dating back to the Medieval period. This talk explores the unfolding story behind these burials and what they reveal about a little-known chapter of East African history. Through the lens of bioarchaeology, this talk examines how the physical remains—bones, teeth, and burial arrangements—offer clues about the biology and cultural practices of these early communities. For example, the proportions of the skeletons suggest how these individuals adapted to their environment, while the deliberate removal of front teeth points to a striking form of cultural expression. The presence of paired burials raises compelling questions about social relationships, ritual, and identity before the arrival of modern Bantu-speaking groups. Join us as we piece together the lives of these long-gone individuals and reflect on how burial practices can illuminate the values and worldviews of past societies.

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