Expert: Ralph Salier - 4/15/2008

Question
Hello and Thanks in advance for your time.  I recently started reading a lot of the old Smithsonian reports about the mounds, specifically in the Michigan and Ohio region.  Quite a few of these mention the unearthing of large skeletons measuring anywhere from 7 to 9 feet in height.  I have also seen this reported I believe in some west coast burials.  Is there any validity to these claims?  Did they so often improperly measure the skeletons or were they actually that tall?  Thanks again.

Answer
Hi Jason,

The measurement of bones to determine the height of an individual is not an exact science but you do get within 2 or 3 inches +/-.  The burials you mention may exist but these would be anomolies of the population just as we have today with some people having petuitary giantism.  This does occur in all populations but would be rather rare.