A Faunal Analysis of the Lovstrom Site (DjLx-1), Block E: A Late Precontact Site in Southwestern Manitoba
Date
2015-09-21
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
The Lovstrom site (DjLx-1) is a Late Precontact multicomponent site located in the Tiger Hills of southwestern Manitoba. Two occupation levels identified in Block E are separated by an approximate 400 year time span, the oldest identified as Blackduck at 800 BP and a later Vickers Focus group occupying the site around 400 BP. Excavations took place between 1986 and 1991 as part of the Brandon University archaeological field school. In addition to the information gained from the recovery of amounts of cultural material, later excavations were also opened in an effort to gain knowledge about the amount of site disturbance. The amount of material artifacts uncovered during test pitting necessitated a number of excavation blocks be opened. This thesis focuses on the faunal material recovered from Block E. Although a number of species were identified, bison represents the vast majority of faunal material. The faunal analysis was undertaken to determine the composition of the bison herd and seasonality. Due to the nature of the site and the fragmented faunal assemblage an in-depth analysis took place to identify any taphonomic forces that may have disturbed the archaeological record. This includes both cultural and natural forces that acted on the Block E assemblage.
The occupant’s butchering practices are compared and contrasted with additional comparisons made to similar nearby archaeological sites, including the Blackduck Stott site and the Vickers Focus Jackson site.
Description
Keywords
Vickers Focus, Blackduck, Taphonomy, Faunal, bison
Citation
Degree
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Department
Archaeology and Anthropology
Program
Archeology