Barbara A. Crass, Ph.D.

University of Wisconsin- Fond du Lac

bacrass@aol.com

Children and infants have been described as one group of "invisible" people in the archaeological record (e.g. Moore & Scott 1997). Although children undoubtedly left their mark in the past, as they certainly do in the present, these marks are rarely obvious archaeologically. One area where these marks may be more apparent is in mortuary contexts.

Over 300 infants and children have been identified in pre-Christian Inuit burials throughout the Arctic. These infant and child burials will be compared with adult burials in terms of burial type, body position, head orientation, burial goods, and association with other individuals. Also, early ethnographic descriptions of the disposal of infant and child remains will be discussed.