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Subsistence in the Florida Archaic: The Stable-Isotope and Archaeobotanical Evidence from the Windover Site

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 January 2017

Noreen Tuross ,
Marilyn L. Fogel ,
Lee Newsom  and
Glen H. Doran
Noreen Tuross
Affiliation:
Conservation Analytical Laboratory, Smithsonian Institution, 4210 Silver Hill Road, Suitland, MD 20746
Marilyn L. Fogel
Affiliation:
Geophysical Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, 5251 Broad Branch Road, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20015
Lee Newsom
Affiliation:
Center for Archaeological Investigations, Department of Anthropology, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL 62901
Glen H. Doran
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306
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Abstract

A paleodietary analysis of the mid-Holocene mortuary site, Windover (8BR246), based on carbon and nitrogen bone-collagen values and archaeobotanical information is consistent with a subsistence strategy that utilized river-dwelling fauna and a range of terrestrial flora, such as grapes and prickly pear. The isotopic analysis does not support the extensive human dietary use of either marine mammals or classic terrestrial fauna such as deer or rabbit. Seasonal (late summer/early fall) use of the site is indicated by the range of flora found in association with the burials.

Resumen

Resumen

El análisis paleodietético de un sitio mortuorio proveniente del Holoceno medio, identificado como sitio Windover (8BR246), basado en contenidos de carbón y nitrógeno de colágeno de hueso y en información arqueobotánica, es consistente con una estrategia de subsistencia que incluye fauna riverina y estuarina, y plantas terrestres tales como uvas y tunas. El análisis de isótopos no apoya el uso extensivo de mamíferos marinos ni tampoco de fauna terrestre tal como el venado o el conejo. La ocupación estacional del sitio (a fines del verano/principios del otoño) se evidencia en el amplio rango de vegetación encontrada en asociación con los enterramientos.

Type
Reports
Information
American Antiquity , Volume 59 , Issue 2 , April 1994 , pp. 288 - 303
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for American Archaeology 1994

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