Journal article
The Taphonomy of Resource Intensification: Zooarchaeological Implications of Resource Scarcity Among Bofi and Aka Forest Foragers
Journal of archaeological method and theory, Vol.20(3), pp.420-447
09/2013
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/109595
Abstract
Zooarchaeological analyses often rely on bone fragmentation, cut marks, and other taphonomic indicators to bolster interpretations of resource intensification that are based on observed changes in prey types and frequencies. While these taphonomic indicators are assumed to be good proxy measures of processing effort, this assumption is based on inadequate actualistic data and analysts often conflate one or more taphonomic indicators as manifestations of the same process. In this paper, we present zooarchaeological data from two villages occupied by Central African forest foragers with very different foraging efficiencies. These data provide the first case where known disparities in diet breadth and foraging efficiency are matched with prey assemblages and taphonomic attributes. Observational and quantitative data show differences between the villages in diet breadth and access to high-ranked prey, but specific taphonomic indicators such as cut mark distribution and intensity do not match predictions generated from models of resource intensification. We propose that linking different taphonomic processes to resource scarcity and intensification can provide powerful adjunctive information. However, because different processing outcomes may be associated with different kinds of resource intensification in response to different kinds of scarcity, we need to strengthen the validity of purported taphonomic indicators with more rigorous independent studies.
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Details
- Title
- The Taphonomy of Resource Intensification: Zooarchaeological Implications of Resource Scarcity Among Bofi and Aka Forest Foragers
- Creators
- Karen Lupo - Department of Anthropology Southern Methodist University PO Box 750336 Dallas TX 75275-0336 USAJason Fancher - Mt. Hood Community College, Social Science 2600 SE Stark St. Gresham OR 97030 USADave Schmitt - Desert Research Institute 2215 Raggio Parkway Reno NV 89512 USA
- Contributors
- Christyann M Darwent (Editor)Virginia L Butler (Editor)Michael J O'Brien (Editor)Virginia L Butler (Editor)
- Publication Details
- Journal of archaeological method and theory, Vol.20(3), pp.420-447
- Academic Unit
- Department of Anthropology
- Publisher
- Springer US; Boston
- Identifiers
- 99900547142901842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article