Thesis
The Hoko River Rockshelter: Intertidal Resources
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
1983
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.7273/000008089
Abstract
Shells and other site constituents from eighty-eight horizontal samples, as well as shells from a 3 m deep test unit in the Hoko River Rockshelter were analysed in this study. Results from studying the horizontal distribution of site constituents suggest several use areas in the rockshelter, including a primary refuse area and a major living zone with a principal activity center. An intermediate zone between these two areas represents processing debris for several intertidal species, as well as mixed debris from major refuse dumping and sweeping. An entranceway is depicted by a general mixed debris flow from the front of the rockshelter.
Archaeological evidence from the Hoko River Rockshelter shows that intertidal resources were used as food, tools, and even toys. Methods of processing intertidal resources for a variety of purposes are indicated.
An economic model based on the assumptions of maximum returns for minimum energy expenditure was applied to the data. The model failed to accurately rank species or predict their expected frequency of occurrence except in the cases of the most and least important species. The model's most accurate prediction concerned mussels, the major intertidal resource at the rockshelter. Mussels are abundant locally, and on occasion may have served as a primary resource at the rockshelter, possibly supporting the relocation of people to this site.
Cultural and natural factors not included in the model are used to explain the poor fit of the model. Important factors not incorporated in the model include: cultural preferences and taboos concerning species and collection localities as well as ownership of collection areas, and the procurement of species in large quantities for special social events.
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Details
- Title
- The Hoko River Rockshelter: Intertidal Resources
- Creators
- David Glen Miller
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- The Hoko Rockshelter (45CA21), 1,000-100 BP; Department of Anthropology; Hoko River Archaeological Sites Complex Research Materials
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University
- Identifiers
- 99901366753001842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis