Sexing:
The techniques used for sexing faunal remains will be determined by the degree of preservation of the element themselves as well as the identified species present. Unfortunately, a clear indication of sex is not always apparent in the archaeological record and we have to infer based on overall size in comparison to modern population (Reitz and Wing, 1999). One exception is in the case of female birds which can be recognized by medullary bone, a calcium deposit associated with egg laying (Reitz and Wing, 1999).
Aging:
Age at death will be determine by the degree of closure of the suture of the skulls, fusion/ ossification between limb shaft and epiphysis, teeth formation/eruption and wear pattern (Reitz and Wing, 1999). These assessments …show more content…
Cut marks have been linked to the process of skinning, meat removal in meal preparation, and disarticulation. Scrapes are characterized by small incision (Reitz and Wing, 1999). In contrast a deep, non-symmetrical “V” shape without striations clustered around joints and shafts of long bones is characteristic of a chop or hack mark (Noe- Nygaard,1989; Shipman, 1981; Reitz and Wing, 1999). Impact marks are characteristic of blows made from semiblunt, pointed instruments; that result in small fragmentation around the impact site, with a radial striation at the point of impact, with a flake scar appearing on the opposite side of that impact (Noe-Nygaard, 1989; Reitz and Wing, 1999). In some cases a spiral fracture might be produced from the point of impact (Shipman, 1981; Reitz and Wing, 1999). Serrations that appear on compact bone surfaces that cross at acute angles is characteristic of sawing (Reitz and Wing, 1999).
Other forms of taphonomy include burning, gnawing, digestion, weathering, etc. Burning is characterized by a decrease in the diameter of the element, a “shrinking” effect, which is congruent to the degree of heat being applied (Lyman 1994; 384-94; Shipman et al. 1984; Reitz and Wing, 1999). The degree of heat also correlates to the discoloration of the element, low level heat appears black while higher …show more content…
This information can be used to assess MNI, to gauge animal weight, to estimate the size of the death populations, and to examine changes the prevalence of taxa frequencies between sites and to infer cultural practices (Emery, 2004; Grayson, 1984). This type of measurement can be affected by butchery patterns, analyst identification limitation, degree of breakage, and preservation (Grayson, 1984). These potential deterrents are reduced by incorporating the
The techniques used for sexing faunal remains will be determined by the degree of preservation of the element themselves as well as the identified species present. Unfortunately, a clear indication of sex is not always apparent in the archaeological record and we have to infer based on overall size in comparison to modern population (Reitz and Wing, 1999). One exception is in the case of female birds which can be recognized by medullary bone, a calcium deposit associated with egg laying (Reitz and Wing, 1999).
Aging:
Age at death will be determine by the degree of closure of the suture of the skulls, fusion/ ossification between limb shaft and epiphysis, teeth formation/eruption and wear pattern (Reitz and Wing, 1999). These assessments …show more content…
Cut marks have been linked to the process of skinning, meat removal in meal preparation, and disarticulation. Scrapes are characterized by small incision (Reitz and Wing, 1999). In contrast a deep, non-symmetrical “V” shape without striations clustered around joints and shafts of long bones is characteristic of a chop or hack mark (Noe- Nygaard,1989; Shipman, 1981; Reitz and Wing, 1999). Impact marks are characteristic of blows made from semiblunt, pointed instruments; that result in small fragmentation around the impact site, with a radial striation at the point of impact, with a flake scar appearing on the opposite side of that impact (Noe-Nygaard, 1989; Reitz and Wing, 1999). In some cases a spiral fracture might be produced from the point of impact (Shipman, 1981; Reitz and Wing, 1999). Serrations that appear on compact bone surfaces that cross at acute angles is characteristic of sawing (Reitz and Wing, 1999).
Other forms of taphonomy include burning, gnawing, digestion, weathering, etc. Burning is characterized by a decrease in the diameter of the element, a “shrinking” effect, which is congruent to the degree of heat being applied (Lyman 1994; 384-94; Shipman et al. 1984; Reitz and Wing, 1999). The degree of heat also correlates to the discoloration of the element, low level heat appears black while higher …show more content…
This information can be used to assess MNI, to gauge animal weight, to estimate the size of the death populations, and to examine changes the prevalence of taxa frequencies between sites and to infer cultural practices (Emery, 2004; Grayson, 1984). This type of measurement can be affected by butchery patterns, analyst identification limitation, degree of breakage, and preservation (Grayson, 1984). These potential deterrents are reduced by incorporating the