University of Tennessee, Knoxville TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange Masters Theses Graduate School 12-1989 Analysis of desiccated human paleofeces from big bone cave (40VB103), Van Buren County, Tennessee Charles Thomas Faulkner University of Tennessee Follow this and additional works at: https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes Recommended Citation Faulkner, Charles Thomas, "Analysis of desiccated human paleofeces from big bone cave (40VB103), Van Buren County, Tennessee. " Master's Thesis, University of Tennessee, 1989. https://trace.tennessee.edu/utk_gradthes/5788 This Thesis is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate School at TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. It has been accepted for inclusion in Masters Theses by an authorized administrator of TRACE: Tennessee Research and Creative Exchange. For more information, please contact [email protected]. To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Charles Thomas Faulkner entitled "Analysis of desiccated human paleofeces from big bone cave (40VB103), Van Buren County, Tennessee." I have examined the final electronic copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fulfillment of the equirr ements for the degree of Master of Arts, with a major in Anthropology. Walter E. Klippel, Major Professor We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance: Accepted for the Council: Carolyn R. Hodges Vice Provost and Dean of the Graduate School (Original signatures are on file with official studentecor r ds.) To the Graduate Council: I am submitting herewith a thesis written by Charles Thomas Faulkner entitled "Analysis of Desiccated Human Paleofeces from Big Bone Cave (40VB103), Van Buren County, Tennessee." I have examined the final copy of this thesis for form and content and recommend that it be accepted in partial fullfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Arts, with a major in Anthropology. Walter E. Kli , Major Professor We have read this thesis and recommend its acceptance: el-- c✓ . ~ Accepted for the Council: ~ Vice Provost and Dean of The Graduate School STATEMENT OF PERMISSION TO USE In presenting this thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for a Master's degree at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, I agree that the Library shall make it available to borrowers under rules of the Library. Brief quotations from this thesis are allowable without special permission, provided that accurate acknowledgment of the source is made. Permission for extensive quotation from or reproduction of this thesis may be granted by my major professor, or in his absence, by the head of Interlibrary Services when, in the opinion of either, the proposed use of the material is for scholarly purposes. Any copying or use of the material in this thesis for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Signature cl~'o, -r.r:-~ Date 1Q/1/~ ANALYSIS OF DESICCATED HUMAN PALEOFECES FROM BIG BONE CAVE (40VB103), VAN BUREN COUNTY, TENNESSEE A Thesis Presented for the Master of Arts Degree The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Charles Thomas Faulkner December 1989 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The completion of this thesis would not have been possible without the encouragement and support of numerous friends, colleagues, faculty and family members. Permission to analyze the paleofecal samples was provided by Nick Fielder, State Archaeologist for the Tennessee Department of Conservation. I am particularly indebted to my committee members Ors. Walter Klippel, Charles H. Faulkner and Sharon Patton. Their insight, interest, and guidance has been instrumental to the development and completion of this research. Each of these individuals has made valuable contributions to my education and development as a researcher. Dr. Patton's role in all phases of the project has been especially supportive, and deserves special recognition for generously providing technical and editorial expertise, as well as access to materials, facilities, equipment, and other resources essential to the completion of the research. Funding for the immunological assay of the Big Bone Cave fecal samples for Giardia antigen was obtained by Dr. Patton in the form of a Faculty Development Grant. The investment of her time and energy can never be repaid. ii I am also indebted to my fellow graduate students for providing a supportive environment for conducting the research. Countless discussions with George M. Crothers, Charles L. Hall and Darcy F. Morey have taken place throughout the conduct of the project. This interaction has contributed substantially to the methodological and theoretical orientation of my research. The beneficial nature of this relationship will remain with me throughout my career. George M. Crothers obtained the funds necessary for radiocarbon dating one of the paleofecal specimens, and generously granted liberal access to the results of his research efforts on the prehistoric utilization of Big Bone Cave. His interest and involvement in all phases of the project is greatly appreciated. Sandra Strawbridge Johnson generously donated her technical expertise in diagnostic parasitology and assisted in the analysis of the fecal samples. Her friendship and analytical efforts will always be appreciated. Gary D. Crites conducted the SEM analysis of the Chenopodium seeds preserved in the paleofecal samples. His interest in the research was instrumental to describing the presence of this domesticated taxon in the diet of the Big Bone cavers. Cheryl s. Bulger read an earlier draft of the thesis and meticulously highlighted all of the typographic inconsistencies and misspelled words. Her editorial efforts and moral iii support were a valuable contribution to the final production of this thesis. Paul and Hazel Delcourt of the Department of Geology and Program for Quaternary Studies of the Southeastern United States, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, provided me with instruction in basic pollen analytical techniques early in my education, and generously granted access to laboratory facilities for processing the palynological samples from the Big Bone Cave paleofeces. Finally and most importantly, I acknowledge the considerable emotional support and financial assistance of my parents Harold and Beatrice Faulkner. The contributions of these two important individuals in my life will always remain paramount in all of my past, present, and future endeavors. iv ABSTRACT Eight desiccated human feces recovered from Big Bone Cave (40VB103) were analysed for dietary contents, plant pollen, and evidence of endoparasitic infection. Radiocarbon dated materials from the cave indicated that it was a locus of human activity 2220 +/- 135 years ago. The dietary contents were primarily composed of three domesticated plant species: Iva annua, Chenopodium berlandieri ssp. jonesianum, and Helianthus annuus. Palynological evidence indicated that the primary focus of cave utilization occured during the spring months of the year. Endoparasitic species infecting the population using the cave were: Enterobius vermicularis, Ascaris lumbricoides, Giardia intestinalis,and an Ancylostomoid species tenatively identified as Ancylostoma duodenale. The evidence of endoparasitic infection preserved in the Big Bone Cave paleofecal sample is the most complete record available for Eastern North America. This information is a new contribution to understanding the relative health status and living conditions of the emergent horticultural societies of prehistoric Eastern North America. V TABLE OF CONTENTS CHAPTER PAGE 1. INTRODUCTION. • . • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 1 2 • BACKGROUND. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 5 3. LITERATURE REVIEW .•.•••••••••••••••••.•.• 17 4. MATERIALS AND ANALYTICAL METHODS ••••••••• 29 5. DETERMINATION OF HUMAN ORIGIN ••..••••.•.. 45 6. DIETARY CONTENT ANALYSIS .••••••.••••••••• 57 7. PALYNOLOGICAL ANALYSIS .••••••••••.•••••.• 79 8. PARASITOLOGICAL ANALYSIS •••••.••.•.••••• 107 9. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS •••••...•.•••• 129 LIST OF REFERENCES ..........................••• 146 APPENDIXES. 160 APPENDIX A DIETARY CONTENT DATA ............. 161 APPENDIX B POLLEN DATA. • . • • • • • • . • • • • • • . 169 APPENDIX C PROJECT BENCHMARKS .•••••••.•••••• 177 VITA ........................................... 179 vi LIST OF TABLES TABLE PAGE 1. Big Bone Cave radiocarbon age determinations and error terms ••••••••••• 11 2. Food items represented in Big Bone Cave feces. 62 3. Dietary content data for all Big Bone cave paleofecal specimens ..••••••••.•.••• 76 4. Flowering periods for arboreal pollen taxa represented in Big Bone Cave feces. 103 5. Relative percentages of arboreal pollen represented in Big Bone cave feces ...••. 105 6. Endoparasitic species identified in Big Bone Cave feces •••••......•••...•.•. 109 7. Dietary content data for Big Bone Cave Paleofecal Specimen 1 •••..•..••••••..••. 161 8. Dietary content data for Big Bone Cave Paleofecal Specimen 2 ••.•.••••••••..•.•. 162 9. Dietary content data for Big Bone Cave Paleofecal Specimen 3 ••••.•••••••••.•••• 163 10. Dietary content data for Big Bone Cave Paleofecal Specimen 4 ••••••••••••••.•••. 164 11. Dietary content data for Big Bone Cave Paleofecal Specimen 5 •.•..••.••••••...•• 165 12. Dietary content data for Big Bone cave Paleofecal Specimen 6 ..••••..•••........ 166 13. Dietary content data for Big Bone Cave Paleofecal Specimen 7 •••••••••••••.••••• 167 14. Dietary content data for Big Bone Cave Paleofecal