Final answer:
The subject matter deals with archaeological findings and forensic anthropology that help uncover historical mortality patterns and cultural practices, ranging from communal burials to evidence of cannibalism and child sacrifices in ancient civilizations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The findings from these various archaeological excavations and the analysis of the remains unearth significant insights into historical mortality patterns, burial practices, and rituals. For instance, the communal graves discovered with multiple victims varying in age and sex, including instances of anatomical disarticulation, potentially indicate mass fatalities or specific burial customs. Additionally, artifacts such as buttons under a collarbone and clustered coins suggest the deceased were clothed, possibly with hidden personal items. The use of forensic anthropology to ascertain more than just cause of death as seen with the Jamestown settlers, such as the analysis revealing cannibalism during a period of starvation, demonstrates the broader application of the field in reconstructing historical events. These studies, including the CT scanning of a 550-year-old Peruvian mummy and the Incan child sacrifices found mummified, provide vivid empirical data that allows for an understanding of past cultures and events. These anthropological analyses offer crucial evidence that enriches our knowledge of history beyond what is available in written records.