Faunal Analysis of the Tommy Faunal Analysis of the Tommy Site: Site:

Subsistence and Ritual in the Subsistence and Ritual in the Ancient Chacoan SouthwestAncient Chacoan Southwest

Erin A. EnrightErin A. EnrightDept of Anthropology and Applied Archaeology, Dept of Anthropology and Applied Archaeology,

Eastern New Mexico University,Eastern New Mexico University,Portales, New MexicoPortales, New Mexico

Purpose of StudyPurpose of Study

To better understand Diet and Ritual To better understand Diet and Ritual at the Tommy Siteat the Tommy Site

To gain a clear picture of the To gain a clear picture of the utilization of prehistoric fauna at utilization of prehistoric fauna at different types of sites within the different types of sites within the Chacoan SouthwestChacoan Southwest

Tommy Site DataTommy Site Data

Pueblo I through Pueblo IIPueblo I through Pueblo II Residential CommunityResidential Community San Juan College Field School 1999-San Juan College Field School 1999-

20062006 LeeAnn Schniebs 1999-2001 faunal LeeAnn Schniebs 1999-2001 faunal

datadata Erin A. Enright 2002-2006 faunal dataErin A. Enright 2002-2006 faunal data Total individual specimens 4281Total individual specimens 4281

Tommy Site Fauna ListTommy Site Fauna ListScientific Name Common Name Scientific Name Common Name

Sylvilagus sp. Cottontail Mustela erminea Ermine, Weasel

Lepus sp. Jack Rabbit Taxidea taxus Badger

Citellus sp. Ground Squirrel Felis rufus Bobcat

Cynomys sp. Prairie Dog Ursus americanus Black Bear

Thomomys sp. Pocket Gopher Odocoileus hemionus Mule Deer

Reithrodontomys sp. Harvest Mouse Odocoileus sp. Deer

Neotoma sp. Woodrat Antilocapra americana Pronghorn antelope

Microtus montanus Montane Vole Squamata Lizards/Snakes

Ondatra zibethicus Muskrat Anura Frog/Toad

Castor canadensis Beaver Fishes Fish

Erethizon dorsatum Porcupine Meleagris gallopavo Turkey

Canidae Dog, Coyote, Wolf Anas platyrhynchos Mallard Duck

Pyrocyon lotor Raccoon Falco sp. Falcon (small)

Tommy Site: Major Fauna Tommy Site: Major Fauna GroupsGroups

NISP MNI % of Site

Mammals 3541 91 84.1

Birds 265 11 6.2

Reptiles/Fishes 92 7 2.2

Unidentifiable 295 7.5

Tommy Site: Dietary TaxaTommy Site: Dietary Taxa

NISP MNI

% of Total Dietary Fauna

% of Site Index

Lagomorpha 979 56 64 23 0.57

Artiodactyla 342 4 22 8 0.11

Turkey/Large Bird 207 8 14 4.8 0.18

Tommy Site: Other Taxonomic Tommy Site: Other Taxonomic GroupsGroups

NISP MNI% of

Site

Rodents 147 23 3.5

Reptile/Fishes 92 7 2.2

Other Birds 58 3 1.3

Carnivores 18 8 0.3

Provided by Linda Wheelbarger

Provided by Linda Wheelbarger

Major Taxonomic Groups in each Major Taxonomic Groups in each Unit Type, Tommy SiteUnit Type, Tommy Site

Comparison SitesComparison Sites Residential SitesResidential Sites

Tommy Site Tommy Site Guadalupe Community (Roler 1999)Guadalupe Community (Roler 1999)

Chacoan Outlier Great HousesChacoan Outlier Great Houses Salmon Ruin (Durand and Durand 2006)Salmon Ruin (Durand and Durand 2006) Guadalupe Ruin (Roler 1999)Guadalupe Ruin (Roler 1999)

Chaco Canyon Great HousesChaco Canyon Great Houses Una Vida (Akins 1985)Una Vida (Akins 1985) Pueblo Alto (Akins 1985)Pueblo Alto (Akins 1985)

Chaco Canyon Small SitesChaco Canyon Small Sites 29 SJ 627; 29 SJ 629; 29 SJ 724; (Akins 29 SJ 627; 29 SJ 629; 29 SJ 724; (Akins

19851985))

Major Mammal Groups for all Major Mammal Groups for all Comparison SitesComparison Sites

Major Bird Groups for all Major Bird Groups for all Comparison SitesComparison Sites

Conclusions Conclusions

Dietary fauna between all sites is Dietary fauna between all sites is similar.similar.

Tommy Site residents must have Tommy Site residents must have utilized other products to meet daily utilized other products to meet daily dietary needs.dietary needs.

Ritual fauna from Chaco Canyon is Ritual fauna from Chaco Canyon is far more abundant and diverse than far more abundant and diverse than at the other comparison sites.at the other comparison sites.

REFERENCES CITED

Akins, Nancy J. 1985 Prehistoric Faunal Utilization in Chaco Canyon:

Basketmaker III through Pueblo II. In Environment and Subsistence of Chaco Canyon, edited by Frances Joan Mathien. Publications in Archaeology 18 E, Chaco Canyon

Studies, pp. 305-446.Durand and Durand 2006 Variation in Economic and Ritual Fauna at Salmon

Ruin. In Thirty-Five Years of Archaeological Research at Salmon Ruins, edited by Paul Reed. Center for Desert Archaeology, Tucson, Arizona and Salmon Ruins, Bloomfield, New Mexico.

Schniebs, LeeAnn2002 TotahArchaeological Project Faunal Analysis: The

Tommy Site (LA 126581), Field School Sessions 1999-2001. TAP web site www.sanjuancollege.edu/pages/2065.asp.

Roler, Kathy Lynne 1999 The Chaco Phenomenon: A Faunal Perspective from the

Peripheries. Unpublished Dissertation, Arizona State University.