Off-campus CWU users: To download documents with restricted access, please use your Wildcat Connection username and password to log in after clicking on the link below.
Non-CWU users: Please contact Brooks Library to request access to restricted materials.
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Room 137B
Start Date
15-5-2014
End Date
15-5-2014
Keywords
Taphonomy, Zooarchaeology, Pre-Mazama
Abstract
The Bernard Creek Rockshelter (10IH483) is located in Hell’s Canyon, Idaho, and lies just above the Snake River. The rockshelter was excavated in 1976 by the University of Idaho and four meters of cultural deposits spanning over 7,000 years were discovered. A preliminary analysis was performed on the faunal remains in 1976, but no in-depth taphonomic information was originally recorded. My analysis examined 573 mammal and bird specimens underlying Mazama tephra (ash fall from Mt. Mazama about 7,000 years ago) from 310-370 cm below surface. Preservation was excellent, with 99 percent of specimens exhibiting Stage 0-1 bone weathering. Remains were dominated by large mammals (>70 percent deer size or larger) and included bighorn sheep and deer. Other identified taxa included woodrat, ground squirrel, marmot, canid, porcupine, bear, and rattlesnake. A significant number exhibited modification by humans (including cutmarks, impact damage, and use-wear) with few signs of non-human modification (like gnawing or digestion), which indicates the assemblage is almost entirely accumulated by people.
Recommended Citation
Day, Lianne, "A Faunal Sample from Pre-Mazama Levels of the Bernard Creek Rockshelter, Hells Canyon, Idaho" (2014). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 21.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2014/oralpresentations/21
Additional Mentoring Department
Anthropology and Museum Studies
A Faunal Sample from Pre-Mazama Levels of the Bernard Creek Rockshelter, Hells Canyon, Idaho
SURC Room 137B
The Bernard Creek Rockshelter (10IH483) is located in Hell’s Canyon, Idaho, and lies just above the Snake River. The rockshelter was excavated in 1976 by the University of Idaho and four meters of cultural deposits spanning over 7,000 years were discovered. A preliminary analysis was performed on the faunal remains in 1976, but no in-depth taphonomic information was originally recorded. My analysis examined 573 mammal and bird specimens underlying Mazama tephra (ash fall from Mt. Mazama about 7,000 years ago) from 310-370 cm below surface. Preservation was excellent, with 99 percent of specimens exhibiting Stage 0-1 bone weathering. Remains were dominated by large mammals (>70 percent deer size or larger) and included bighorn sheep and deer. Other identified taxa included woodrat, ground squirrel, marmot, canid, porcupine, bear, and rattlesnake. A significant number exhibited modification by humans (including cutmarks, impact damage, and use-wear) with few signs of non-human modification (like gnawing or digestion), which indicates the assemblage is almost entirely accumulated by people.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Lubinski , Patrick