Zooarchaeology Flashcards
Wha is zooarchaeology?
Analysis of faunal remains from archaeological sites.
What is an assemblage?
All artifacts, faunal remains, etc, from a site.
What is a specimen?
A single, individual artifact found in an essemblage. ie. in a fragmented bone, each fragment is a specimen.
What is an element?
A specific, whole bone.
What are the goals when dealing with faunal remains?
To identify element, element portion, species, age, and modifications.
How do you describe element portions?
Axial (midline bones, ie skull, spine, pelvis, ribs) and appendicular (limbs), medial (towards midline), lateral (away from midline), proximal (towards point of attachment), distal (away from point of attachment), and diaphysis (shaft of long bone).
What are some aging methods?
Dentition (teeth), incremental growth structures (antlers, horns), and epiphyseal fusion.
What is the NISP?
Number of Identifiable Specimens (a count of every specimen found at the site).
What is the MNI?
Minimum Number of Individuals (the minimum number of individuals that can be accounted for at a site).
What are the types of modifications that may be found on bones?
Carnivore gnawing, rodent gnawing, root damage (natural); cut marks, burned bone, bone tools, bone ornaments (cultural).
