46 BURIAL CUSTOMS OF TASMAMAN AMORIGINKS. 



In January, 1919, a numbei* of Tasmanian aboriginal 

 remains were found at Eaglchawk Neck, as already recorded 

 in the Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tas- 

 mania (1918, pp. 118-119; 1920, pp. 140-152). In exhuming 

 these remains I particularly noticed that the bodies were 

 doubled up in most cases, the skull being closely wedged be- 

 tween the femurs. Owing to doubts as to how the skeletons 

 oame to be there and also owing to the fact that the sand 

 dune in which the excavations were made showed signs of 

 movement, it was not thought fit to make any comment at 

 that time. Recently, however, a further discovery was made 

 in the sand dunes at the south end of Ralph's Bay, where 

 Mr. E. A. Calvert found portion of an aboriginal skeleton. 

 This he kindly presented to the Tasmanian Museum. I sub- 

 sequently visited the site of the discovery in company with 

 Mr. Calvert, and, in questioning him as to the exact position 

 of the bones, I found that, according to his description, 

 they were placed in practically the same position as the 

 ones which had been found at Eaglehawk Neck. 



Judging from observations made in the above mentioned 

 cases there is some evidence to show that such bodies as 

 were buried were placed in the thrice bent sitting position. 

 Further evidence is needed, however, before it is safe to 

 assume that the above position is typical, and the present 

 note is written merely in the hope that it may be of assist- 

 ance in the event of further discoveries being made. 



LITERATURE REFERRED TO. 

 1899 Roth, H. Ling, Aborigines of Tasmania. 



1908 Noetling, Papers and Proceedings Royal Society of 

 Tasmania, 1908. 



1910 Noetling, Papers and Proceedings Royal Society of 

 Tasmania, 1910. 



