A comprehensive analysis of the butchering activities performed at the Fincastle Bison Kill Site (D1Ox-5)

Thumbnail Image
Date
2008
Authors
Watts, Angela (Ang)
University of Lethbridge. Faculty of Arts and Science
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Arts and Science, 2008
Abstract
The Fincastle site (DlOx-5) is located in Southern Alberta, Canada. Excavations from 2004-2007 unearthed a significant number of lithic artefacts, fire-broken rock and a dense bone bed. Radiocarbon dates (ca. 2500 BP) place the single occupancy kill site in the Late Middle Prehistoric Period. This thesis investigates the butchering activities that took place in the East Block of the site, where 60,000 bone fragments were collected. Of these faunal remains, 5,540 records were processed and examined using Brumley’s (1991) Bone Unit (BU) analysis scheme. They were then assigned to a Bone Unit Butchering Category, a classification system created to identify specific butchering activities. Detailed analyses of the articulations, location and quantity of impact and/or cut marks, and specific fracture types and lengths were also carried out. The evidence shows that both primary and secondary butchering operations occurred at Fincastle, including joint dismemberment, meat removal, marrow extraction and grease rendering processes.
Description
xviii, 298 leaves : col. ill. ; 29 cm. --
Keywords
Dissertations, Academic , Excavations (Archaeology) -- Alberta -- Fincastle Kill Site , Excavations (Archaeology) -- Great Plains , Great Plains -- Antiquities , Indigenous peoples -- Great Plains -- Antiquities , Indigenous peoples -- Hunting -- Great Plains , American bison hunting -- History , American bison -- Great Plains -- History , Meat -- Boning -- History
Citation