Thesis
An analysis of the faunal remains from Windust Cave C (45FR46), Washington
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2011
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/101605
Abstract
Recent research suggests that the use of certain resources intensified in the Columbia Plateau during the Late Prehistoric period dating around 3,500 B.P. to approximately 250 B.P. Evidence for the intensification of salmon and camas is illustrated by the many artifacts and features related to a forager-collector lifestyle found in the Southern Columbia Plateau. However, direct evidence for intensification of artiodactyl resources through a decreasing artiodactyl index, increased richness and decreased heterogeneity in animal remains, has yet to be shown. An analysis of the faunal remains from Windust Cave, a temporary hunting camp used from 10,000 years ago continuously to historic time, has illuminated new evidence on the use of large ungulates in the late period for the Southeastern Plateau. These findings compared to other faunal assemblages from contemporaneous sites in the area illustrate how subsistence strategies have changed overtime. Windust Cave is located on the Lower Snake River in Washington State and was excavated in the late 1950s to the early 1960s; it represents one of the oldest sites in the area. Faunal remains were poorly preserved in lower levels, limiting NISP primarily to upper strata. In answering the question of resource intensification, I will also address issues with site preservation, taphonomy, and excavation biases at Windust Cave that effect the results of this study. Findings show that contrary to resource depression predictions artiodactyl populations increase, while richness and heterogeneity decrease. The results indicate that climate changes, from long hot dry summers in the Early and Middle Period to more mesic conditions in the Late Period, predict the increase in artiodactyl populations, rather than resource intensification.
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Details
- Title
- An analysis of the faunal remains from Windust Cave C (45FR46), Washington
- Creators
- Sarah L. Jenkins
- Contributors
- Karen Lupo (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Anthropology, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; Pullman, Wash. :
- Identifiers
- 99900525083801842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis