Thesis
Avians and diversity: a multi-analytical approach to avian faunal analysis in Southwestern British Columbia
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2017
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/103426
Abstract
Studies of social complexity and subsistence practices on the Northwest Coast have focused primarily on intensification of marine and intertidal resources. Much of this research emphasizes intensification as a strategy, which then leads to social complexity. However, more recent research stresses that change in subsistence strategies must be examined at the local level. In this thesis, I analyze avian remains from four assemblages within two locales in the Salish Sea region. The purpose of this study is to identify potential subsistence strategies in diversity of avian acquisition between temporal (Marpole versus Late), spatial (inter-site versus intra-site) and context (plankhouse village versus midden deposits) elements. Using zooarchaeological methods and exploratory statistical analyses, I formulate three hypotheses of avian acquisition: 1) diversity is a result of specialization with specific resources (a low expected diversity); 2) diversity is a result of exploitation in local and single environments (a medium diversity); 3) diversity is a result of opportunistic collection form a variety of environments (a high diversity). Further, these hypotheses allow me to demonstrate that diversity in avian remains was emphasized in acquisition of avian species. I conclude that a multitude of microenvironments were exploited within these two locales across both temporal periods. These conclusions are then connected to broader themes of resource ownership and landscape manipulation, which likely played a large role in avian acquisition.
Metrics
Details
- Title
- Avians and diversity
- Creators
- Paige E. Hawthorne
- Contributors
- Colin Grier (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, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525046201842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis