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DNA metabarcoding and macroremains from coprolites reveal insights into Middle and Late Holocene inhabitants of Bonneville Estates Rockshelter, Nevada

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  19 September 2024

Taryn Johnson Open the ORCID record for Taryn Johnson [Opens in a new window] ,
Bryan Hockett Open the ORCID record for Bryan Hockett [Opens in a new window]  and
Anna Linderholm Open the ORCID record for Anna Linderholm [Opens in a new window]
Taryn Johnson*
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA Chronicle Heritage, Phoenix, Arizona, USA
Bryan Hockett
Affiliation:
Bureau of Land Management, Nevada State Office, Reno, USA Department of Anthropology, University of Nevada, Reno, USA
Anna Linderholm
Affiliation:
Department of Anthropology, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA Centre for Palaeogenetics, Department of Geological Sciences, Stockholm University, Sweden
*
*Author for correspondence ✉ [email protected]
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Abstract

The analysis of coprolites provides direct evidence of resources consumed and may be paired with ethnographic data to elucidate the dietary and medicinal use of plants in archaeological communities. This article combines and contrasts the macroscopic analysis and DNA metabarcoding of 10 coprolites from Bonneville Estates Rockshelter, Nevada, USA. While the results from both methods confirm previous understandings of subsistence practices at the site, minimal overlap in identified taxa suggests that each accesses different components of the consumed material. The two methods should therefore be seen as complementary and employed together, where possible.

Keywords

North AmericaGreat BasinHoloceneancient DNAarchaeobotanydietary reconstruction
Type
Research Article
Information
Antiquity , First View , pp. 1 - 18
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Antiquity Publications Ltd

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