A Comprehensive Analysis of the Butchering Activities Performed at the Fincastle Bison Kill Site (D1ox-5)
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University of Lethbridge Research Repository OPUS http://opus.uleth.ca Theses Arts and Science, Faculty of 2008 A comprehensive analysis of the butchering activities performed at the Fincastle Bison Kill Site (D1Ox-5) Watts, Angela (Ang) Lethbridge, Alta. : University of Lethbridge, Faculty of Arts and Science, 2008 http://hdl.handle.net/10133/748 Downloaded from University of Lethbridge Research Repository, OPUS A COMPREHENSIVE ANALYSIS OF THE BUTCHERING ACTIVITIES PERFORMED AT THE FINCASTLE BISON KILL SITE (DlOx-5) ANGELA (ANG) WATTS B.A., The University of Lethbridge, 2004 A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of The University of Lethbridge in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF SCIENCE Department of Geography, The University of Lethbridge LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA, CANADA ©Angela (Ang) Watts, 2008 Dedication This thesis is dedicated to my family (Dad, Mum, Dave and crew!) who have been, and always will be, my #1 fan, no matter what I do, or where I end up. Finally, to Shawn, my professor, but even more so, my friend, who convinced me that I could win the hardest battle that I have ever been faced with; completing my masters. iii 1. 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. iv 2. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS One misconception that people have when it comes to working on a thesis is how much ‘behind the scenes’ work goes on. Let me tell you, it is what you think multiplied by one hundred and sixty. That is what it takes to be a Master’s student. Many people congratulate me on my work and say “I would not be able to do that.” Well, they are wrong. They can, if they put their minds to it. And the best way that I can prove this is by the fact that “I did it.” And if you know me, that is suiting. I have been a part of many high-level sports, including three separate university sports teams (hockey, soccer and rugby), as well as training with the Canadian Field Hockey team and attending several National Championships for Soccer, Rugby and Field hockey. For me, to take on a Masters was by far the hardest ‘competition’ that I have ever faced. It was my most fierce competitor of all time. At several times, I thought that I was defeated. This however, is not the case. I have many wonderful supporters who convinced me that I would ultimately win against my most feared competitor: academia. I would love to take the time to personally thank everyone who somehow supported me and helped me along the way; however I think that I would lose the reader in first two minutes if I did so, as there are so many to thank! So, with that said, I send out a huge thanks to those close to me who helped me along at some point or another, either being by a roommate, friend or team-mate. I thank you all for convincing me to catch the late movie, eat wings at the local pub or to challenge me to a weight-lifting competition in the gym! Basically, you guys kept me sane. A special note is to be sent out to all of the students/volunteers who participated in the Fincastle field excavations. Hot, cold, snow and wind: students from The University v of Lethbridge and Red Crow College stuck out the ever changing Southern Alberta weather to excavate the archaeological material that is included in my thesis. If we did not have such a ‘gung-ho’ and hard-working excavation team (students and volunteers alike), I would not have a thesis to write. So thank you to everyone who held a trowel and ate the ever-blowing sand in their sandwiches! This leads me to the Fincastle laboratory team. This part is for all of the undergraduate students (and my fellow graduate students), who put endless hours, often on their own time, to help with the cleaning, sorting and cataloguing of the archaeological material. I would probably still be scrubbing mandible teeth with a toothbrush, if it was not for you guys! Thank you to each and every one of you. I would like to say a special thanks to a few students/friends who helped me with the BU analysis, a major portion of my thesis. To Amber, Bobbi, Chrissy and Tammi: thank you all for the hours of work, support and effort you put into working with me. It’s a tough job, I know! There is another aspect that I wish to address before I close my acknowledgements. To let everyone know, the phrase ‘starving student’ is true, but thankfully, I was fortunate to receive funding from The University of Lethbridge, School of Graduate Studies, the Faculty of Arts and Science, as well from the Community University Research Alliance (CURA) of the Social Sciences and Humanities Council of Canada (SSHRC). I also received scholarships from the Alberta Archaeological Society, Lethbridge Centre and The University of Lethbridge Rugby team. I would not have been able to complete my thesis without the support and funding from these generous donors. In my defence, however, I did have to do a lot of weight lifting and running for the rugby vi scholarship! Thank you to all of the above donors for keeping the ‘frozen peas’ on my table, and funding my research! I was also fortunate to have had a supportive and positive graduate committee. Professor Walter Aufrecht, an amazing and well-respected archaeologist and a great personal supporter, was critical of my research and progress, and for a good reason. He kept me on track. Professor Cameron Goater, a world-renowned biologist, was always interested in my thoughts and ideas, and was supportive, yet critical during this process. He too, did a great job keeping me on track and focused. Thank you to both of you for working with me, supporting my work and encouraging me to stay focused and work hard, while giving me valuable academic advice. This brings me to my final dedications. There are a select few to whom I wish to dedicate this thesis. First, I would like to dedicate this thesis to my family. To Dave (and ‘crew’!), Denise and Andy, thank you for being my #1 fans. I would bet my piggy bank on you guys to be those in the ‘front row’ holding homemade posters saying “Go Ang Go.” This time, the sidelines are not in a cold rink, on a field or driving endless hours to get me half way across the country for two different provincial championships in one weekend. Dave, you taught me to be tough and to stand up for myself (I had to: ‘wrestling’ [NOT fighting] with you was a part of life!). I don’t know if you knew that or not, but there you go! One of us had to end up being more grounded and level headed; I think you got both! Mum, you never let me quit anything in my life and for that I thank you, as it was tempting at times to walk away from this battle. I stuck it out though, with much support, vii endless phone calls and ‘kitchen floor’ talks involving some ‘choice words’ regarding my battles that I fought during this time of my life. Who knows where my ‘boat will float’ next, but I know wherever it goes; you will be on board with me all the way, always. Dad, my most striking memory of this entire process was the look on your face when you attended the dig and unearthed your first bone! I will never forget being able to share my passion with the person that I look up to the most. You encouraged and taught me to be ‘me’, and allowed me to find my way, ever since I was able to talk (and talk back!). I mean really, can I ever be ‘controlled’?! But somehow, you are always able to bring me back down to earth, and are always there for me no matter what ‘brainiak’ move I pull. Last, but not least, Shawn Bubel. There are no words that can express my thankfulness and gratitude toward you. Has it been rough for the both of us! I think only you and I know the ‘whole’ meaning of that statement, but that is how our friendship works. You are my professor, but even more so, my mentor and friend. Thank you for fighting to take me on. I have always been good at sports and had lots of supporters on the field. In academia, however, there were some who doubted I would finish my first degree. You saw beyond the ‘study habits’ and grades, and saw a real person.