Tanya M Peres | Florida State University (original) (raw)

Zooarchaeology and Paleoethnobotany by Tanya M Peres

Research paper thumbnail of An experimental study of turtle shell rattle production and the implications for archaeofaunal assemblages

Turtle shell rattles are percussion instruments used by Indigenous peoples of the Americas in cer... more Turtle shell rattles are percussion instruments used by Indigenous peoples of the Americas in ceremonial contexts to keep rhythm. Archaeological investigations in the southeastern United States produced several complete and partial Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) shell rattles from mortuary contexts dating from the Archaic (ca. 8000–1000 BC) through Mississippian periods (ca. AD 800–1500). Fragmentary turtle remains, some identified as Eastern box turtle, are frequently recovered from non-mortuary contexts. Traditionally, these fragmentary remains are attributed to food waste. Given the archaeological and ethnographic evidence for turtle shell rattles, we need to consider how fragmentary remains might fit into the chaîne opératoire of rattle production. This paper presents the results of an experimental study designed to identify one such chaîne opératoire of rattle production. During this experiment, the data on taphonomic processes such as manufacturing marks, use-wear, and breakage patterns, were recorded. We then tested the taphonomic findings from the experimental study and an object trait list we compiled from known rattle specimens and documentary sources with archaeological turtle remains recovered from non-mortuary contexts at two Mississippian period (ca. AD 1000–1450) sites in Middle Tennessee. Historic indigenous groups are known to have, and still do into the present-day, make and use turtle shell rattles in the region. Ultimately, we determined that “food refuse” should not be the default interpretation of fragmentary box turtle remains, and instead the taphonomic history and contextual associations must be considered in full. The experimental process of crafting turtle shell rattles enhances our understanding of an ancient musical instrument and the success rate of identifying musical artifacts and distinguishing between other modified turtle remains in the archaeological record. This study expands our knowledge of ancient music in North America and prompts re-analysis of curated turtle remains in museums for rattle-related modifications.

Research paper thumbnail of Baking Bourbon and Black Drink final

Understanding and explaining societal rules surrounding food and foodways have been the foci of a... more Understanding and explaining societal rules surrounding food and foodways have been the foci of anthropological studies since the early days of the discipline. Baking, Bourbon, and Black Drink: Foodways Archaeology in the American Southeast, however, is the first collection devoted exclusively to southeastern foodways analyzed through archaeological perspectives. These essays examine which foods were eaten and move the discussion of foodstuffs into the sociocultural realm of why, how, and when they were eaten. Editors Tanya M. Peres and Aaron Deter-Wolf present a volume that moves beyond basic understandings, applying new methods or focusing on subjects not widely discussed in the Southeast to date. Chapters are arranged using the dominant research themes of feasting, social and political status, food security and persistent places, and foodways histories. Contributors provide in-depth examination of specific food topics such as bone marrow, turkey, Black Drink, bourbon, earth ovens, and hominy. Contributors bring a broad range of expertise to the collection, resulting in an expansive look at all of the steps taken from field to table, including procurement, production, cooking, and consumption, all of which have embedded cultural meanings and traditions. The scope of the volume includes the diversity of research specialties brought to bear on the topic of foodways as well as the temporal and regional breadth and depth, the integration of multiple lines of evidence, and, in some cases, the reinvestigation of well-known sites with new questions and new data. “This volume is an excellent resource on the foodways of the southeast and provides fascinating new data, as well as revisiting previously studied sites and analyses of foodways.” —Renee B. Walker, coeditor of Foragers of the Terminal Pleistocene in North America “Baking, Bourbon, and Black Drink is a collection of works elucidating—and in some instances integrating—many diverse aspects of diet and cuisines, written by authors who bring a broad range of expertise to the field of archaeology. It is a major contribution.” —Gayle J. Fritz, professor of archaeology at Washington University in St. Louis CONTRIBUTORS Rachel V. Briggs / Stephen B. Carmody / Aaron Deter-Wolf / Thomas E. Emerson / Kandace D. Hollenbach / Megan C. Kassabaum / Scot Keith / Nicolas Laracuente / Kelly L. Ledford / Tanya M. Peres / Thomas J. Pluckhahn / Neill J. Wallis / Lauren A. Walls / Elic M. Weitzel University of Alabama Press, August 2018 232 PAGES / 6 x 9 / 33 B&W FIGURES / 4 MAPS / 6 TABLES ISBN 978-0-8173-1992-2 / HARDCOVER ISBN 978-0-8173-9195-9 / EBOOK

Research paper thumbnail of Zooarchaeological Approaches to the Identification of Bone Fat Production in the Archaeological Record

Ethnobiology Letters, 2018

Mammal fat is an important industrial product and ingredient in culinary dishes and medicines the... more Mammal fat is an important industrial product and ingredient in culinary dishes and medicines the world over, yet evidence for its use is not often identified in the archaeological record. I first give a brief overview of the importance of bone fats to subsistence and industrial economies. I follow this with criteria for identifying these activities archaeologically. This review concludes with why the identification of such activities are important to our understanding of ancient foodways.

Research paper thumbnail of Malnourished:

Research paper thumbnail of Foodways Archaeology: A Decade of Research from the Southeastern United States

Interest in the study of foodways through an archaeological lens, par-ticularly in the American S... more Interest in the study of foodways through an archaeological lens, par-ticularly in the American Southeast, is evident in the abundance of literature on thistopic over the past decade. Foodways as a concept includes all of the activities,rules, and meanings that surround the production, harvesting, processing, cooking,serving, and consumption of food. We study foodways and components of foodwaysarchaeol ogically through direct and indirect evidence. The current synthesis isconcerned with research themes in the archaeology of Southeastern foodways,including feasting, gender, social and political status, and food insecurity. In this review, I explore the information that can be learned from material remains of the foodstuffs themselves and the multiple lines of evidence that can help us better understand the meanings, rituals, processes, and cultural meanings and motivations of foodways.

Research paper thumbnail of Integrating Zooarchaeology and Paleoethnobotany

Southeastern Zooarchaeology - general by Tanya M Peres

Research paper thumbnail of Embedded: 5,000 Years of Shell Symbolism in the Southeast

"Trends and Traditions in Southeastern Zooarchaeology," pp. 161-185. Edited by T. M. Peres., Feb 2014

The myriad of imagery depicted on marine shell during the late prehistoric period in the American... more The myriad of imagery depicted on marine shell during the late prehistoric period in the American Southeast was meaningful and significant, and has provided the basis for important examinations of Mississippian art and iconography. However, we argue that the selection of marine mollusks by late prehistoric artisans as an iconographic substrate was explicit and deliberate. By the late prehistoric period, shells were embedded with 5,000 years of physical and symbolic geography. This chapter examines the use of both freshwater and marine shell by ancient Native Americans in the Southeast to recall ancestral origins, sanctify and lay claim to the landscape through the construction of landmarks, legitimize political power through the acquisition and display of symbolic, exotic material, and to signify and enable access to supernatural power.

Research paper thumbnail of Emergency Shoreline Assessment and Sampling of Archaeological Sites along the Cumberland River in Middle Tennessee.

http://frank.mtsu.edu/\~kesmith/TNARCH/tennesseearchaeology.html

Research paper thumbnail of Scientific Recovery Investigations at the Kramer Mound (12Sp7):  Prehistoric Artifact Assemblages, Faunal and Floral Remains, and Human Osteology

Indiana Archaeology, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Methodological Issues In Zooarchaeology

Integrating Zooarchaeology and Paleoethnobotany, Jan 1, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Flint, Bone, and Thorns: Using Ethnohistorical Data, Experimental Archaeology, and Microscopy to Examine Ancient Tattooing in Eastern North America

pp. 35-48 in "Tattoos and Body Modifications in Antiquity: Proceedings of the Sessions at the Annual Meetings of the European Association of Archaeologist in The Hague and Oslo, 2010/11", 2013

This chapter describes ongoing research into the archaeological remains of ancient tattooing in N... more This chapter describes ongoing research into the archaeological remains of ancient tattooing in North America’s Eastern Woodlands. Ethnohistorical sources are first examined to identify indigenous tattoo technologies. Those tools are then recreated and applied in an experimental test to determine which are best suited to the practice of tattooing. Finally, this research explores the utility of scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in identifying tattoo implements from archaeological collections. While none of these techniques provide indisputable means of identifying ancient tattoo implements, together they provide a more robust understanding of ancient Native American tattooing practices.

Research paper thumbnail of Early Holocene Vertebrate Paleontology

First Floridians and Last Mastodons: The Page- …, Jan 1, 2006

The richest concentration of vertebrate fossils and cultural remains in the Page-Ladson site was ... more The richest concentration of vertebrate fossils and cultural remains in the Page-Ladson site was scattered on the upper surface of stratigraphic Unit 5. This bone layer was encountered most clearly in Test C and was worked, as the site was extended, during seven different field ...

Research paper thumbnail of Online Bibliography of Southeastern US Zooarchaeology

The Online Bibliography of Southeastern U.S. Zooarchaeology is meant to be a useful source of inf... more The Online Bibliography of Southeastern U.S. Zooarchaeology is meant to be a useful source of information for students, professionals, avocationals, and others interested in research into human-animal relationships in the past. This bibliography is not meant to be static, and the goal is to keep it current via user-submissions of information. Please use this form to submit publication information that is not already included in the bibliography. Currently the bibliography is organized by journal/publication source. This was done instead of other organizing categories (i.e., state, time period, animals) as many studies span multiple categories. This may change depending on how useful users find it.

Research paper thumbnail of Shellfishing Does Not Equal Starvation: Debunking Modern Biases Against an  Ancient Lifeway in Tennessee

There is a long-held bias among archaeologists regarding the role of shellfish in the diets of pr... more There is a long-held bias among archaeologists regarding the role of shellfish in the diets of pre-Columbian North Americans. Despite presenting an easily accessible and nutritionally beneficial resource, shellfish have been traditionally viewed as a marginal food source consumed in response to starvation or environmental crisis. This bias stems from the emphasis on dietary protein sources during the heyday of Processualism, the supplemental role of shellfish and their association with women and children in modern and ethnographic gathering-collecting cultures, and the
lack of large quantitative datasets on such sites that allow us to look at long-term occupations. Recent surveys and excavations of shellfish-bearing sites along the Middle Cumberland River in Tennessee have yielded temporal and spatial data that allow us to re-evaluate the role of shellfishing in the lifeways of people occupying these sites from the middle to late Archaic through Mississippian periods.

Research paper thumbnail of Bloodletting, Totems, and Feasts: Reconsidering Garfish in the Archaeological Record of the Prehistoric Southeast

Zooarchaeological remains of gar (Lepisosteidae) appear throughout the prehistoric archaeological... more Zooarchaeological remains of gar (Lepisosteidae) appear throughout the prehistoric archaeological record of the American Southeast. Although these remains have been predominantly interpreted as food waste or residue of elite feasting events, ethnographic and ethnohistoric data provide conflicting views on how these fish were used by Native Americans. By examining ethnohistoric accounts, modern ethnographic studies, archaeological contexts, and archaeofaunal remains we attempt to explore the full range of gar use in the ethnographic past and present, and suggest new interpretive possibilities for archaeologists faced with gar remains from prehistoric contexts.

Research paper thumbnail of The State of Paleoindian Zooarchaeology in Florida (with R. A. Marrinan)

Research paper thumbnail of Trends and Traditions in Southeastern Zooarchaeology

While most works of southeastern archaeology focus on stone artifacts or ceramics, this volume is... more While most works of southeastern archaeology focus on stone artifacts or ceramics, this volume is the first to bring together past and current trends in zooarchaeological studies. Faunal reports are often relegated to appendices and not synthesized with the rest of the archaeological data, but Trends and Traditions in Southeastern Zooarchaeology calls attention to the diversity of information that faunal remains can reveal about rituals, ideologies, socio-economic organization, trade, and past environments.

These essays, by leading practitioners in this developing field, highlight the differences between the archaeological focus on animals as the food source of their time and the belief among zooarchaeologists that animals represent a far more complex ecology. With broad methodological and interpretive analysis of sites throughout the region, the essays range in topic from the enduring symbolism of shells for more than 5,000 years to the domesticated dog cemeteries of Spirit Hill in Jackson County, Alabama, and to the subsistence strategies of Confederate soldiers at the Florence Stockade in South Carolina.

Ultimately challenging traditional concepts of the roles animals have played in the social and economic development of southeastern cultures, this book is a groundbreaking and seminal archaeological study.

Southeastern Archaic Period - general by Tanya M Peres

Research paper thumbnail of Deciphering Archaic Bundles in the Archaeological Record of the Southeastern US

Bundles, whether personal or corporate, were a real and important component of the lived experien... more Bundles, whether personal or corporate, were a real and important component of the lived experience of Indigenous peoples of the Southeastern US. The objects encapsulated in various bundles held information related to the use and care-taking of the bundle and the importance of ritual to group identity. In some cases bundles became part of the archaeological record through interment with humans, dogs, or as stand-alone burials. In this paper we highlight the antiquity of the bundling concept by outlining material markers of bundles from the Archaic period, and extrapolate on their functions using examples from the greater
Southeast.

Research paper thumbnail of 40RD299 (Black Cat Cave): An Archaic Mortuary Cave in Middle Tennessee

The historic component of 40RD299 is notorious in local lore as the site of a speakeasy during Pr... more The historic component of 40RD299 is notorious in local lore as the site of a speakeasy during Prohibition and later a dance cave. This was all that was known about the cave until 2004, when Native American remains were discovered inside, buried just inches under the concrete slab that had been used as a dance floor for many years. Reconnaissance, monitoring, and salvage work have been on-going by the authors since 2011. Here we present the results of these efforts including radiocarbon dates associated with the Archaic occupation and on-going efforts to protect and preserve the site.

Research paper thumbnail of The Cumberland River Emergency Archaeological Survey

Catastrophic flooding throughout Middle Tennessee in May of 2010 resulted in substantial damage t... more Catastrophic flooding throughout Middle Tennessee in May of 2010 resulted in substantial damage to the numerous prehistoric sites situated along the Cumberland River. The force of the flood waters eroded large sections of bank line, severely truncating and in some cases completely destroying many riverbank sites. Immediately after the floodwaters receded, a number of sites began to suffer from widespread and systematic looting activity targeting newly-exposed midden deposits. In June, MTSU and the Tennessee Division of Archaeology were awarded a Rapid Response Research Grant from the National Science Foundation to fund a survey and assessment of natural and anthropogenic damage to more than 120 previously recorded prehistoric sites located between Cheatham and Old Hickory Dams. In addition to documenting site disturbances and collecting critical and endangered site data, the survey and ongoing site monitoring have provided an opportunity to integrate undergraduates into an active research program.

Research paper thumbnail of An experimental study of turtle shell rattle production and the implications for archaeofaunal assemblages

Turtle shell rattles are percussion instruments used by Indigenous peoples of the Americas in cer... more Turtle shell rattles are percussion instruments used by Indigenous peoples of the Americas in ceremonial contexts to keep rhythm. Archaeological investigations in the southeastern United States produced several complete and partial Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) shell rattles from mortuary contexts dating from the Archaic (ca. 8000–1000 BC) through Mississippian periods (ca. AD 800–1500). Fragmentary turtle remains, some identified as Eastern box turtle, are frequently recovered from non-mortuary contexts. Traditionally, these fragmentary remains are attributed to food waste. Given the archaeological and ethnographic evidence for turtle shell rattles, we need to consider how fragmentary remains might fit into the chaîne opératoire of rattle production. This paper presents the results of an experimental study designed to identify one such chaîne opératoire of rattle production. During this experiment, the data on taphonomic processes such as manufacturing marks, use-wear, and breakage patterns, were recorded. We then tested the taphonomic findings from the experimental study and an object trait list we compiled from known rattle specimens and documentary sources with archaeological turtle remains recovered from non-mortuary contexts at two Mississippian period (ca. AD 1000–1450) sites in Middle Tennessee. Historic indigenous groups are known to have, and still do into the present-day, make and use turtle shell rattles in the region. Ultimately, we determined that “food refuse” should not be the default interpretation of fragmentary box turtle remains, and instead the taphonomic history and contextual associations must be considered in full. The experimental process of crafting turtle shell rattles enhances our understanding of an ancient musical instrument and the success rate of identifying musical artifacts and distinguishing between other modified turtle remains in the archaeological record. This study expands our knowledge of ancient music in North America and prompts re-analysis of curated turtle remains in museums for rattle-related modifications.

Research paper thumbnail of Baking Bourbon and Black Drink final

Understanding and explaining societal rules surrounding food and foodways have been the foci of a... more Understanding and explaining societal rules surrounding food and foodways have been the foci of anthropological studies since the early days of the discipline. Baking, Bourbon, and Black Drink: Foodways Archaeology in the American Southeast, however, is the first collection devoted exclusively to southeastern foodways analyzed through archaeological perspectives. These essays examine which foods were eaten and move the discussion of foodstuffs into the sociocultural realm of why, how, and when they were eaten. Editors Tanya M. Peres and Aaron Deter-Wolf present a volume that moves beyond basic understandings, applying new methods or focusing on subjects not widely discussed in the Southeast to date. Chapters are arranged using the dominant research themes of feasting, social and political status, food security and persistent places, and foodways histories. Contributors provide in-depth examination of specific food topics such as bone marrow, turkey, Black Drink, bourbon, earth ovens, and hominy. Contributors bring a broad range of expertise to the collection, resulting in an expansive look at all of the steps taken from field to table, including procurement, production, cooking, and consumption, all of which have embedded cultural meanings and traditions. The scope of the volume includes the diversity of research specialties brought to bear on the topic of foodways as well as the temporal and regional breadth and depth, the integration of multiple lines of evidence, and, in some cases, the reinvestigation of well-known sites with new questions and new data. “This volume is an excellent resource on the foodways of the southeast and provides fascinating new data, as well as revisiting previously studied sites and analyses of foodways.” —Renee B. Walker, coeditor of Foragers of the Terminal Pleistocene in North America “Baking, Bourbon, and Black Drink is a collection of works elucidating—and in some instances integrating—many diverse aspects of diet and cuisines, written by authors who bring a broad range of expertise to the field of archaeology. It is a major contribution.” —Gayle J. Fritz, professor of archaeology at Washington University in St. Louis CONTRIBUTORS Rachel V. Briggs / Stephen B. Carmody / Aaron Deter-Wolf / Thomas E. Emerson / Kandace D. Hollenbach / Megan C. Kassabaum / Scot Keith / Nicolas Laracuente / Kelly L. Ledford / Tanya M. Peres / Thomas J. Pluckhahn / Neill J. Wallis / Lauren A. Walls / Elic M. Weitzel University of Alabama Press, August 2018 232 PAGES / 6 x 9 / 33 B&W FIGURES / 4 MAPS / 6 TABLES ISBN 978-0-8173-1992-2 / HARDCOVER ISBN 978-0-8173-9195-9 / EBOOK

Research paper thumbnail of Zooarchaeological Approaches to the Identification of Bone Fat Production in the Archaeological Record

Ethnobiology Letters, 2018

Mammal fat is an important industrial product and ingredient in culinary dishes and medicines the... more Mammal fat is an important industrial product and ingredient in culinary dishes and medicines the world over, yet evidence for its use is not often identified in the archaeological record. I first give a brief overview of the importance of bone fats to subsistence and industrial economies. I follow this with criteria for identifying these activities archaeologically. This review concludes with why the identification of such activities are important to our understanding of ancient foodways.

Research paper thumbnail of Malnourished:

Research paper thumbnail of Foodways Archaeology: A Decade of Research from the Southeastern United States

Interest in the study of foodways through an archaeological lens, par-ticularly in the American S... more Interest in the study of foodways through an archaeological lens, par-ticularly in the American Southeast, is evident in the abundance of literature on thistopic over the past decade. Foodways as a concept includes all of the activities,rules, and meanings that surround the production, harvesting, processing, cooking,serving, and consumption of food. We study foodways and components of foodwaysarchaeol ogically through direct and indirect evidence. The current synthesis isconcerned with research themes in the archaeology of Southeastern foodways,including feasting, gender, social and political status, and food insecurity. In this review, I explore the information that can be learned from material remains of the foodstuffs themselves and the multiple lines of evidence that can help us better understand the meanings, rituals, processes, and cultural meanings and motivations of foodways.

Research paper thumbnail of Integrating Zooarchaeology and Paleoethnobotany

Research paper thumbnail of Embedded: 5,000 Years of Shell Symbolism in the Southeast

"Trends and Traditions in Southeastern Zooarchaeology," pp. 161-185. Edited by T. M. Peres., Feb 2014

The myriad of imagery depicted on marine shell during the late prehistoric period in the American... more The myriad of imagery depicted on marine shell during the late prehistoric period in the American Southeast was meaningful and significant, and has provided the basis for important examinations of Mississippian art and iconography. However, we argue that the selection of marine mollusks by late prehistoric artisans as an iconographic substrate was explicit and deliberate. By the late prehistoric period, shells were embedded with 5,000 years of physical and symbolic geography. This chapter examines the use of both freshwater and marine shell by ancient Native Americans in the Southeast to recall ancestral origins, sanctify and lay claim to the landscape through the construction of landmarks, legitimize political power through the acquisition and display of symbolic, exotic material, and to signify and enable access to supernatural power.

Research paper thumbnail of Emergency Shoreline Assessment and Sampling of Archaeological Sites along the Cumberland River in Middle Tennessee.

http://frank.mtsu.edu/\~kesmith/TNARCH/tennesseearchaeology.html

Research paper thumbnail of Scientific Recovery Investigations at the Kramer Mound (12Sp7):  Prehistoric Artifact Assemblages, Faunal and Floral Remains, and Human Osteology

Indiana Archaeology, 2014

Research paper thumbnail of Methodological Issues In Zooarchaeology

Integrating Zooarchaeology and Paleoethnobotany, Jan 1, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of Flint, Bone, and Thorns: Using Ethnohistorical Data, Experimental Archaeology, and Microscopy to Examine Ancient Tattooing in Eastern North America

pp. 35-48 in "Tattoos and Body Modifications in Antiquity: Proceedings of the Sessions at the Annual Meetings of the European Association of Archaeologist in The Hague and Oslo, 2010/11", 2013

This chapter describes ongoing research into the archaeological remains of ancient tattooing in N... more This chapter describes ongoing research into the archaeological remains of ancient tattooing in North America’s Eastern Woodlands. Ethnohistorical sources are first examined to identify indigenous tattoo technologies. Those tools are then recreated and applied in an experimental test to determine which are best suited to the practice of tattooing. Finally, this research explores the utility of scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy in identifying tattoo implements from archaeological collections. While none of these techniques provide indisputable means of identifying ancient tattoo implements, together they provide a more robust understanding of ancient Native American tattooing practices.

Research paper thumbnail of Early Holocene Vertebrate Paleontology

First Floridians and Last Mastodons: The Page- …, Jan 1, 2006

The richest concentration of vertebrate fossils and cultural remains in the Page-Ladson site was ... more The richest concentration of vertebrate fossils and cultural remains in the Page-Ladson site was scattered on the upper surface of stratigraphic Unit 5. This bone layer was encountered most clearly in Test C and was worked, as the site was extended, during seven different field ...

Research paper thumbnail of Online Bibliography of Southeastern US Zooarchaeology

The Online Bibliography of Southeastern U.S. Zooarchaeology is meant to be a useful source of inf... more The Online Bibliography of Southeastern U.S. Zooarchaeology is meant to be a useful source of information for students, professionals, avocationals, and others interested in research into human-animal relationships in the past. This bibliography is not meant to be static, and the goal is to keep it current via user-submissions of information. Please use this form to submit publication information that is not already included in the bibliography. Currently the bibliography is organized by journal/publication source. This was done instead of other organizing categories (i.e., state, time period, animals) as many studies span multiple categories. This may change depending on how useful users find it.

Research paper thumbnail of Shellfishing Does Not Equal Starvation: Debunking Modern Biases Against an  Ancient Lifeway in Tennessee

There is a long-held bias among archaeologists regarding the role of shellfish in the diets of pr... more There is a long-held bias among archaeologists regarding the role of shellfish in the diets of pre-Columbian North Americans. Despite presenting an easily accessible and nutritionally beneficial resource, shellfish have been traditionally viewed as a marginal food source consumed in response to starvation or environmental crisis. This bias stems from the emphasis on dietary protein sources during the heyday of Processualism, the supplemental role of shellfish and their association with women and children in modern and ethnographic gathering-collecting cultures, and the
lack of large quantitative datasets on such sites that allow us to look at long-term occupations. Recent surveys and excavations of shellfish-bearing sites along the Middle Cumberland River in Tennessee have yielded temporal and spatial data that allow us to re-evaluate the role of shellfishing in the lifeways of people occupying these sites from the middle to late Archaic through Mississippian periods.

Research paper thumbnail of Bloodletting, Totems, and Feasts: Reconsidering Garfish in the Archaeological Record of the Prehistoric Southeast

Zooarchaeological remains of gar (Lepisosteidae) appear throughout the prehistoric archaeological... more Zooarchaeological remains of gar (Lepisosteidae) appear throughout the prehistoric archaeological record of the American Southeast. Although these remains have been predominantly interpreted as food waste or residue of elite feasting events, ethnographic and ethnohistoric data provide conflicting views on how these fish were used by Native Americans. By examining ethnohistoric accounts, modern ethnographic studies, archaeological contexts, and archaeofaunal remains we attempt to explore the full range of gar use in the ethnographic past and present, and suggest new interpretive possibilities for archaeologists faced with gar remains from prehistoric contexts.

Research paper thumbnail of The State of Paleoindian Zooarchaeology in Florida (with R. A. Marrinan)

Research paper thumbnail of Trends and Traditions in Southeastern Zooarchaeology

While most works of southeastern archaeology focus on stone artifacts or ceramics, this volume is... more While most works of southeastern archaeology focus on stone artifacts or ceramics, this volume is the first to bring together past and current trends in zooarchaeological studies. Faunal reports are often relegated to appendices and not synthesized with the rest of the archaeological data, but Trends and Traditions in Southeastern Zooarchaeology calls attention to the diversity of information that faunal remains can reveal about rituals, ideologies, socio-economic organization, trade, and past environments.

These essays, by leading practitioners in this developing field, highlight the differences between the archaeological focus on animals as the food source of their time and the belief among zooarchaeologists that animals represent a far more complex ecology. With broad methodological and interpretive analysis of sites throughout the region, the essays range in topic from the enduring symbolism of shells for more than 5,000 years to the domesticated dog cemeteries of Spirit Hill in Jackson County, Alabama, and to the subsistence strategies of Confederate soldiers at the Florence Stockade in South Carolina.

Ultimately challenging traditional concepts of the roles animals have played in the social and economic development of southeastern cultures, this book is a groundbreaking and seminal archaeological study.

Research paper thumbnail of Deciphering Archaic Bundles in the Archaeological Record of the Southeastern US

Bundles, whether personal or corporate, were a real and important component of the lived experien... more Bundles, whether personal or corporate, were a real and important component of the lived experience of Indigenous peoples of the Southeastern US. The objects encapsulated in various bundles held information related to the use and care-taking of the bundle and the importance of ritual to group identity. In some cases bundles became part of the archaeological record through interment with humans, dogs, or as stand-alone burials. In this paper we highlight the antiquity of the bundling concept by outlining material markers of bundles from the Archaic period, and extrapolate on their functions using examples from the greater
Southeast.

Research paper thumbnail of 40RD299 (Black Cat Cave): An Archaic Mortuary Cave in Middle Tennessee

The historic component of 40RD299 is notorious in local lore as the site of a speakeasy during Pr... more The historic component of 40RD299 is notorious in local lore as the site of a speakeasy during Prohibition and later a dance cave. This was all that was known about the cave until 2004, when Native American remains were discovered inside, buried just inches under the concrete slab that had been used as a dance floor for many years. Reconnaissance, monitoring, and salvage work have been on-going by the authors since 2011. Here we present the results of these efforts including radiocarbon dates associated with the Archaic occupation and on-going efforts to protect and preserve the site.

Research paper thumbnail of The Cumberland River Emergency Archaeological Survey

Catastrophic flooding throughout Middle Tennessee in May of 2010 resulted in substantial damage t... more Catastrophic flooding throughout Middle Tennessee in May of 2010 resulted in substantial damage to the numerous prehistoric sites situated along the Cumberland River. The force of the flood waters eroded large sections of bank line, severely truncating and in some cases completely destroying many riverbank sites. Immediately after the floodwaters receded, a number of sites began to suffer from widespread and systematic looting activity targeting newly-exposed midden deposits. In June, MTSU and the Tennessee Division of Archaeology were awarded a Rapid Response Research Grant from the National Science Foundation to fund a survey and assessment of natural and anthropogenic damage to more than 120 previously recorded prehistoric sites located between Cheatham and Old Hickory Dams. In addition to documenting site disturbances and collecting critical and endangered site data, the survey and ongoing site monitoring have provided an opportunity to integrate undergraduates into an active research program.

Research paper thumbnail of Crossing Boundaries on the Cumberland River

Poster Presented at the Southeastern Archaeological Conference, Baton Rouge, LA, 2012

The MTSU Middle Cumberland Archaeology Project (MCAP) investigated a multi-component shell-bearin... more The MTSU Middle Cumberland Archaeology Project (MCAP) investigated a multi-component shell-bearing site occupied between 7000 BC and AD 1400, along a terrace of the Cumberland River west of Nashville in May and June, 2012. The primary goals of the project were to: determine site boundaries, depth, and nature of deposits; locate the edge of the shell deposits; and train MTSU students in field survey and excavation techniques. Through the use of deep testing with bucket augers, GPR, and excavation units and collaborations between academics, state and federal archaeologists, and CRM firms we met these goals.

Research paper thumbnail of A Potential Earth Oven: Lithic and Faunal Analysis of Feature 3 from Magnolia Valley (40RD314) Rutherford County, Tennessee.

The Rutherford County Archaeology Research Program (RCARP) was launched in 2014 to identify preh... more The Rutherford County Archaeology Research Program (RCARP) was launched in 2014 to identify prehistoric archaeological sites in Rutherford County. The 2014 MTSU Archaeological Field School was held at the Magnolia Valley site (40RD314)
in western Rutherford County. Geophysical survey, shovel-testing, and unit and feature excavation were all completed during the seven-week field season. During the geophysical survey portion of the field school a number of large anomalies were located and a select number excavated. Feature 3
was chosen for further investigation. This rock-lined pit yielded carbonized plant materials, faunal remains, lithic flakes and a partial projectile point. Its location adjacent to a larger circular feature is also intriguing. Analysis of the remains from Feature 3 are used to identify the feature’s function at this Archaic Period habitation site.

Research paper thumbnail of Introducing the Magnolia Valley Site (40RD314): Preliminary Results of Near-Surface Geophysical Investigations at a Multicomponent Site in Rutherford County, Tennessee

We offer our preliminary results of the near-surface geophysical survey conducted at the Magnolia... more We offer our preliminary results of the near-surface geophysical survey conducted at the Magnolia Valley (40RD314) site in May 2014. Magnolia Valley is a multicomponent site located in southwestern Rutherford County, and was investigated as part of the MTSU Rutherford County Archaeology Research Program and MTSU Archaeological Field School. The use of magnetic
gradiometry, frequency-domain electromagnetic-induction (EMI), and ground-penetrating radar was necessary to distinguish feature type. Ground-truthing the results via excavation proved the efficacy of this multi-method survey strategy and resulted in the identification of Archaic and Historic period features. Funding for this project was provided by the Tennessee Council for Professional Archaeology, Tennessee Historical Commission, and MTSU.

Research paper thumbnail of Near-Surface Geophysical Investigations at the Multicomponent Magnolia Valley Site (40RD314) in Rutherford County, Tennessee

In May 2014 we collected magnetic gradiometry, frequency-domain electromagnetic-induction (EMI), ... more In May 2014 we collected magnetic gradiometry, frequency-domain electromagnetic-induction (EMI), and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) data at the Magnolia Valley site (40RD314) in Rutherford County, Tennessee with the Middle Tennessee State University 2014 Field School, a component of the MTSU Rutherford County Archaeology Research Project
(RCARP). We collected data using Geometrics G-858 cesium vapor magnetometer, GSSI’s Proler EMP-400 multifrequency electromagnetic conductivity meter, and Sensor’s & Software’s pulseEKKO PRO GPR with 500 MHz antennas at a line spacing of 0.5 m and station spacing of 0.1, 0.25, and 0.025 m, respectively. The use of multiple methods was necessary to distinguish feature type. Negative apparent conductivity paired with strong
dipolar magnetic responses were indicative of historic metal artifacts. High magnetic susceptibility and strong magnetic gradient contrasts indicated probable Archaic pit and habitation features. A historic two track wagon road was identified approximately 25 cm below the surface with both GPR and
magnetometry. Ground-truthing the results proved the efficacy of this multi-method survey strategy and resulted in the identication of an Archaic rocklined earth oven, several large (over 1 m in diameter and 1 m in depth) pits, and a possible Archaic structure/living space footprint along with the historic
two-track road and metal artifacts.

Research paper thumbnail of Faunal Remains from an Archaic Period Cave in the Southeastern United States

Ancient Native American use of caves in the Eastern Woodlands occurred throughout the entire span... more Ancient Native American use of caves in the Eastern Woodlands occurred throughout the entire span of regional prehistory; however, the ways that these natural features were used varied considerably over time. To date only 25 cave sites containing deposits dated to the Archaic period (ca. 10,000 - 3000 B.P.) are recorded in the state of Tennessee, representing just 0.4 percent of the total known Archaic sites. In 2014 the authors conducted a salvage operation, bucket auger survey, and limited testing at the site of Black Cat Cave (40RD299) in Rutherford County, Tennessee to assess looting damage and assist in the installation of a security gate across the cave entrance. These investigations identified Black Cat Cave as the site of significant mortuary activity during the Middle Archaic (ca. 6460 - 6360 B.P.), and resulted in the recovery of rare Archaic faunal data from a cave setting. Analysis of faunal materials from the site allows us to add important new information to our understanding of ancient Native American landscape use in the Eastern Woodlands during the mid-Holocene.

Research paper thumbnail of Archaic Shell-Bearing Sites of the Middle Cumberland River Valley of Tennessee

The Middle Cumberland River Valley of Tennessee comprises a unique regional environment that has ... more The Middle Cumberland River Valley of Tennessee comprises a unique regional environment that has supported human occupation for at least 14,000 years. Consistent human occupation and reuse of natural river levees and adjacent terrace landforms from the late Pleistocene epoch (ca. 12,000 BC) through the 15th century AD resulted in the formation of numerous archaeological sites along the Cumberland River and its tributaries. The occupants of these sites relied on the abundant natural resources of the region, and particularly vertebrate and invertebrate species that inhabited the streams and waterways for subsistence and raw materials. Over thousands of years the inhabitants of the Middle Cumberland River Valley harvested these various species and took an active role in managing riverine resources. The cumulative result of this process appears in the archaeological record of the region as abundant zooarchaeological remains, principally consisting of animal bone and shellfish.

One visually-striking archaeological facet of the Middle Cumberland River Valley is the densely deposited remains of freshwater shellfish that appear at Archaic sites throughout the region. These deposits span the period from approximately 6500 to 1000 BC, and comprise a regional manifestation of the cultural phase traditionally known as the Shell Mound Archaic. Recent survey and excavation efforts along with site file research have identified 22 sites within the Middle Cumberland Valley that exhibit intact Archaic shell-bearing components. An additional 59 sites in the region also exhibit a high probability for containing intact Archaic shell-bearing deposits, but require additional testing to determine their integrity.

The Archaic shell-bearing sites in the Middle Cumberland River Valley provide unique opportunities to examine research topics including how mid-Holocene occupants of the region adapted to changing environments, modified the natural landscape, and altered the local ecology both deliberately and indirectly. In addition, data preserved within these sites has the potential to address numerous research questions regarding settlement patterning, regional population density, social structure, initial plant domestication, the development of regional trade networks, and environmental change within the Middle Cumberland River Valley, and more broadly in the American Southeast, between approximately 6500 and 1000 BC. Because of this information potential, the archaic shell-bearing sites of the Middle Cumberland River Valley are worthy of acknowledgement, protection, and preservation under Criterion D of 36 CFR 60.4.

Research paper thumbnail of Zooarchaeological Analysis of a Multicomponent Shell Midden in Davidson County, Tennessee

Tennessee Archaeology Vol. 6(1-2):40-52, 2012

Site 40DV7 is one of several large shell-bearing sites located along the Cumberland River near Na... more Site 40DV7 is one of several large shell-bearing sites located along the Cumberland River near Nashville which were heavily impacted by catastrophic flooding and looting activity during the spring of 2010. Emergency sampling and ongoing monitoring at 40DV7 since that time have identified deeply-stratified deposits spanning the Archaic through Mississippian periods. These deposits, and particularly the temporally-distinct shell midden components, may help inform our understanding of human occupation, species interdependence, and environmental change along the Cumberland River over a period of more than 5,000 years.

Research paper thumbnail of Recent Research in the Middle Cumberland River Valley:Introduction to the Special Volume

Research paper thumbnail of The Shell-Bearing Archaic in the Middle Cumberland River Valley

The Middle Cumberland River Valley of Tennessee comprises a unique regional environment that has ... more The Middle Cumberland River Valley of Tennessee comprises a unique regional environment that has continually supported human occupation along the natural river levees and adjacent terrace landforms since the Late Pleistocene. Over thousands of years Archaic period inhabitants of the Middle Cumberland River Valley harvested the invertebrate species that populated the streams and waterways of the region, using them for subsistence and raw materials and taking an active role in managing the riverine resources. The cumulative result of this process appears in the archaeological record as abundant and often-dense deposits of invertebrate zooarchaeological remains. However, few formal archaeological investigations have been conducted on Archaic shell-bearing sites in the region. In this field report we present initial results of site file analysis, radiocarbon dating, and species composition research in order to introduce the Middle Cumberland River Valley manifestation of the cultural phase traditionally known as the Shell Mound Archaic.

Research paper thumbnail of Analysis of a Late Pleistocene-Early Holocene Faunal Assemblage From the Page/Ladson Site(8 Je 591), Jefferson County, Florida

ABSTRACT Typescript. Thesis (M.A.)--Florida State University, 1997. Includes bibliographical refe... more ABSTRACT Typescript. Thesis (M.A.)--Florida State University, 1997. Includes bibliographical references.

Research paper thumbnail of ZOOARCHAEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF A MULTICOMPONENT SHELL-BEARING SITE IN DAVIDSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE

Site 40DV7 is one of several large shell-bearing sites located along the Cumberland River near Na... more Site 40DV7 is one of several large shell-bearing sites located along the Cumberland River near Nashville which were heavily impacted by catastrophic flooding and looting activity during the spring of 2010. Emergency sampling and ongoing monitoring at 40DV7 since that time have identified deeply-stratified deposits spanning the Archaic through Mississippian periods. These deposits, and particularly the temporally-distinct shell midden components, may help inform our understanding of human occupation, species interdependence, and environmental change along the Cumberland River over a period of more than 5000 years.

Research paper thumbnail of Faunal Assemblage, In "Fernvale (40WM41): A Late Archaic Occupation Along the South Harpeth River in Williamson County, Tennessee."

Research Series No. 19, 2013

Research paper thumbnail of What We Should Know: An Occupational History of a Shell-Bearing Site  Along the Cumberland River, Tennessee

"Archaeologists have traditionally tried to classify shell‐bearing sites throughout the interior ... more "Archaeologists have traditionally tried to classify shell‐bearing sites throughout the interior southeast in terms of regional environmental changes, temporal subsistence strategies, and pan-regional cultural phenomena. However, recent excavations at site
what we think we know about Archaic Period shell sites is not
sufficient to support such generalizations. By considering the full
range of site use and occupation via radiocarbon assays,
environmental reconstructions, and 100% samples, we develop a more complete understanding of the various activities that took
place at 40DV7 over several thousands of years, and the
implications this data provides for future research on shell‐bearing sites."

Research paper thumbnail of An Experimental Study of Turtle Shell Rattle Production and the Implications for Archaeofaunal Assemblages

PLOS ONE, 2018

Turtle shell rattles are percussion instruments used by Indigenous peoples of the Americas in cer... more Turtle shell rattles are percussion instruments used by Indigenous peoples of the Americas in ceremonial contexts to keep rhythm. Archaeological investigations in the southeastern United States produced several complete and partial Eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) shell rattles from mortuary contexts dating from the Archaic (ca. 8000±1000 BC) through Mississippian periods (ca. AD 800±1500). Fragmentary turtle remains, some identified as Eastern box turtle, are frequently recovered from non-mortuary contexts. Traditionally, these fragmentary remains are attributed to food waste. Given the archaeological and ethnographic evidence for turtle shell rattles, we need to consider how fragmentary remains might fit into the chaõÃne ope ratoire of rattle production. This paper presents the results of an experimental study designed to identify one such chaõÃne ope ratoire of rattle production. During this experiment, the data on taphonomic processes such as manufacturing marks, usewear, and breakage patterns, were recorded. We then tested the taphonomic findings from the experimental study and an object trait list we compiled from known rattle specimens and documentary sources with archaeological turtle remains recovered from non-mortuary contexts at two Mississippian period (ca. AD 1000±1450) sites in Middle Tennessee. Historic indigenous groups are known to have, and still do into the present-day, make and use turtle shell rattles in the region. Ultimately, we determined that ªfood refuseº should not be the default interpretation of fragmentary box turtle remains, and instead the taphonomic history and contextual associations must be considered in full. The experimental process of crafting turtle shell rattles enhances our understanding of an ancient musical instrument and the success rate of identifying musical artifacts and distinguishing between other modified turtle remains in the archaeological record. This study expands our knowledge of ancient music in North America and prompts re-analysis of curated turtle remains in museums for rattlerelated modifications.

Research paper thumbnail of Archaeological correlates of population management of the eastern wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo silvestris) with a case study from the American South

The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) was an important food resource to Precolumbian Native Ameri... more The wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) was an important food resource to Precolumbian Native Americans; however , little attention has been given to the subject of turkey husbandry, or use in the American Southeast. We thus present demographic turkey data from the Mississippian Period Fewkes site in Tennessee, ethnographic and eth-nohistoric information on Southeastern Native Americans, and material culture data from Tennessee and Ala-bama to explore the use and potential management of eastern wild turkeys (M. gallopavo silvestris). The osteometric data from the Fewkes site indicates that both male and female adult turkeys are represented in the faunal assemblage, with males being present in equal or greater numbers than females. It appears that the female specimens were not taken during the egg-laying period. The results can be interpreted as either the result of humans managing local turkey populations as sources of both meat and feathers, or occasional selective hunting of large adult males.

Research paper thumbnail of Evaluating Mississippian Period Hunting Strategies at the Rutherford-Kizer Site

The use of existing collections in answering new questions is timely and important. Museum curato... more The use of existing collections in answering new questions is timely and important. Museum curators and archivists across the country are faced with tight curation budgets and limited storage space, so that it is not always justifiable to excavate sites to collect specimens (Stankowski 1998). Using existing collections for modern research is important on several levels. Stankowski (1998) notes that artifacts "spend 99% of their time in storage," and "the key to finding funding for curation is to actively use the collections." The Arizona Governor's Archaeology Advisory Commission suggests "encouraging or even requiring more use of existing collections rather than new fieldwork" as a solution to the curation crisis. It is difficult to persuade policymakers, private citizens, and corporations to fund curation of collections that are never seen by the general public nor used for research by scientists.

Research paper thumbnail of Pests in the Garden: Testing the Garden-Hunting Model at the Rutherford-Kizer Site, Sumner County, Tennessee

Research paper thumbnail of ZOOARCHAEOLOGICAL REMAINS FROM THE 1998 FEWKES SITE EXCAVATIONS, WILLIAMSON COUNTY, TENNESSEE

Research paper thumbnail of Daksi: An Ethnozooarchaeology of the Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene carolina)

The development of connections between archaeologically known populations and contemporary people... more The development of connections between archaeologically known populations and contemporary peoples is a crucial missing piece in understanding the story of southeastern native peoples. Ethnoecological models demonstrate the persistence of practices in durable environmental contexts as opposed to the interpretation of signs, symbols and structures left behind. We developed a protocol for extending the anthropological interpretation of late precontact archaeological sites by combining zooarchaeological analysis of Eastern box turtles from Mississippian sites with the Native American ethnohistorical, ethnographic and linguistic record. This protocol allows for greater insights into subsistence, medicinal, technological, and ecological practices prior to the arrival of Europeans.

Research paper thumbnail of From Ahwi to Aniahwi: Deer in Subsistence and Social Structure

In the Southeastern United States white-tailed deer remains are recovered in abundance from late ... more In the Southeastern United States white-tailed deer remains are recovered in abundance from late prehistoric archaeological sites and have been used to identify numerous social and cultural phenomena including differences in food consumption based on status, feasting, inter-site transport of foodstuffs, and regional variation in subsistence strategies. Meat, marrow, and hide were three important physical contributions of deer to the daily lives of southeastern natives; however, we argue the spiritual and social value of deer were equally important. We combine zooarchaeological analyses of white-tailed deer from Mississippian Period sites with both published and unpublished data from the Native American ethnohistorical, ethnographic and linguistic record. We examine the practices and beliefs that surround the human-animal interaction -- a set of relationships that still exists in communities today. Whereas the contexts for some traditional activities, such as painting deep inside of caves or constructing elaborate architecture, may have changed, native peoples in the southeast still live in environments with animals that are largely the same as their ancestors. Given this persistent context, we use ethnohistorical accounts and ethnographic interviews to provide meaningful insights into the symbolic and social significance of a staple food prior to the arrival of Europeans.

Research paper thumbnail of Data Collection Before Reburial: Making the Most of Modern Technologies to Virtually Curate Ancient Artifacts

"Repatriation and reburial of artifacts are a necessary part of archaeology, thus thorough docume... more "Repatriation and reburial of artifacts are a necessary part of archaeology, thus thorough documentation is imperative. Technologies such as portable X-Ray Fluorescence and 3D scanners allow non-destructive data collection and infinite curation of artifacts. We examined marine shell artifacts from a late Mississippian site in eastern Tennessee using both types of instruments. This allowed us to record data that will be used to determine origins of the marine shell and construct a database that will serve current and future archaeologists. The 3D scans allow these artifacts to live on as a virtual collection for future researchers and the public.
"

Research paper thumbnail of Turkeys of a Feather Flock (and die) Together: Exploring the Management of a Resource in the Southeastern US through Individual Life Histories

It is widely accepted that turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were important in the diets of Mississip... more It is widely accepted that turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) were important in the diets of Mississippian Period peoples of the Southeast, yet we do not fully understand how turkey populations were managed. Ethnohistoric documents and ethnographic accounts suggest that the Cherokee and other southeastern groups baited turkeys to hunt them more easily and raised turkey poults for reliable and easy access to meat and feathers. We argue that if turkeys were being kept and raised there should be evidence to support this. Contextual information is the most important as it seems clear that some turkeys were raised while others were hunted in the wild. Osteological evidence based on morphometric data of archaeological specimens can be compared to the same data modern wild and domesticated specimens to determine size differences. In this paper, we present data on a sample of turkeys from a dated context excavated at the Fewkes Site in Middle Tennessee. Given the context it appears that these specimens lived and died together ca. AD 1250. We explore the life histories of these turkeys as individuals and as a group, and use the data to discuss the multiple roles of turkeys as a managed resource in the late prehistoric southeast.

Research paper thumbnail of Foodways, Economic Status, and the Antebellum Upland South In Central Kentucky

Historical Archaeology, Jan 1, 2008

Acceso de usuarios registrados. Acceso de usuarios registrados Usuario Contraseña. ...

Research paper thumbnail of BRICK MAKING AS A LOCAL INDUSTRY IN ANTEBELLUM KENTUCKY AND TENNESSEE

Research paper thumbnail of Identifying Turtle Shell Rattles in the Archaeological Record of the Southeastern United States

Ethnobiology Letters, 2017

The construction of rattles from turtle (Testudines) shells is an important consideration when di... more The construction of rattles from turtle (Testudines) shells is an important consideration when distinguishing between food and non-food uses of archaeological turtle remains. However, the identification of turtle shell rattles in prehistoric contexts can be quite challenging. Equifinality is a major problem for being able to distinguish rattles from food
refuse, particularly when a carapace is not burnt or modified. In addition, diversity, abundance, and distribution of chelonian taxa varies throughout the southeastern United States, creating differential access for indigenous groups. Thus, multiple lines of evidence are needed from archaeological, ethnographic, and ethnohistoric records to successfully argue for the production and use of turtle shell rattles in the prehistoric southeastern United States. In this article, we present examples of turtle shell rattles in the southeastern United States to highlight their function and use by indigenous groups,
the construction process, and several common characteristics, or an object trait list, that can aid in the identification of fragmentary turtle shell rattle remains. Accurate functional identification of turtle remains is important for identifying turtle shell rattle artifacts and may be of interest to indigenous groups claiming cultural items under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA).

Research paper thumbnail of The magic of improbable appendages: Deer antler objects in the archaeological record of the American South

Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, 2017

A B S T R A C T In the American South white-tailed deer remains are recovered in abundance from l... more A B S T R A C T In the American South white-tailed deer remains are recovered in abundance from late prehistoric archaeological sites and have been used to identify numerous social and cultural phenomena including status based differences in food consumption, feasting, inter-site transport of foodstuffs, and regional variation in subsistence strategies. Meat, marrow, bone, antler, and hide were important physical contributions of deer to the daily lives of southeastern native peoples. However, deer also play(ed) an important role in self-identity and social structure (Deer clan). In this paper we bring together multiple lines of evidence to offer a nuanced interpretation of white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) antler objects recovered from Native American archaeological sites in the pre-European Southeastern United States in the traditional homelands of the Cherokees of the American South. We review the importance of the culturally appropriate interactions with deer as taught in deer hunting lore and taboos recorded in ethnographic and ethnohistoric sources. With this understanding, we then identify the material manifestations of deer hunting amulets from several archaeological sites in our study area. Ultimately our study of antler objects shows that combining indigenous knowledge with material studies gives us new insights into how humans perceived and interacted with the animals that lived in their shared environment, and fosters new interpretations of material culture.

Research paper thumbnail of Deer as Food, Social Identity, and Spiritual Icon in Ancient and Modern Cherokee Life

Conference Abstracts, WAC-8

In the American South white-tailed deer remains are recovered in abundance from late prehistoric ... more In the American South white-tailed deer remains are recovered in abundance from late prehistoric archaeological sites and have been used to identify numerous social and cultural phenomena including status based differences in food consumption, feasting, inter-site transport of foodstuffs, and regional variation in subsistence strategies. Meat, marrow, and hide were three important physical contributions of deer to the daily lives of southeastern native peoples. However, deer also play(ed) an important role in self identity and social structure (Deer clan). We combine zooarchaeological analyses of white-tailed deer from Mississippian Period sites located in the traditional Cherokee homeland with published and unpublished data from the Native American ethnohistorical, ethnographic, and linguistic record. We examine the practices and beliefs that surround the human-animal interaction -- a set of relationships that still exists in Cherokee communities today. Whereas the contexts for some traditional activities, such as painting deep inside of caves or constructing elaborate architecture, may have changed, native peoples in the American South still live in environments with animals that are largely the same as their ancestors. Given this persistent context, we use ethnohistorical accounts and ethnographic interviews to provide meaningful insights into the symbolic and social significance of a staple food prior to the arrival of Europeans.

Research paper thumbnail of Reinterpreting the use of Garfish (Family: Lepisosteidae) in the Archaeological Record of the American Southeast

"People with Animals: Perspectives and Studies in Ethnozooarchaeology," edited by Lee Broderick, pp.103-114 , 2016

The zooarchaeological remains of garfish (Lepisosteidae) appear throughout the Southeastern Unite... more The zooarchaeological remains of garfish (Lepisosteidae) appear throughout the Southeastern United States from the Archaic through the late Prehistoric periods (ca. 8,000 BC - AD 1450) and have been predominantly interpreted as food remains or the residue of feasting events. However, ethnographic and ethnohistoric data from the region provide conflicting views on how these fish were used by Native Americans, and suggest a fresh examination of the role of gar is needed. By examining ethnohistoric accounts, modern ethnographic studies, and archaeofaunal remains we attempt to explore the full range of gar use in the ethnographic past and present, and suggest new interpretive possibilities for archaeologists faced with gar remains from prehistoric contexts.

Research paper thumbnail of Coastal Subsistence and Settlement In the Early Ceramic: a Zooarchaeological Study From Central Pacific Panama

Research paper thumbnail of The exploitation of aquatic environments by the Olmec and Epi-Olmec

Hydrographic features dominate the Olmec heartland. Fishing, travel, transport, and trade via wat... more Hydrographic features dominate the Olmec heartland. Fishing, travel, transport, and trade via watercraft were essential parts of daily life. This chapter synthesizes archaeofaunal, iconographic, and biological data about human–animal relationships during the Formative period in the Gulf Coastal lowlands of Veracruz, Mexico. Aquatic environments were reliable sources of physical sustenance for the Olmec and Epi-Olmec, and fresh-water fish, turtles, and local and migratory water birds made up the daily diet. Animals found in marine environments were elevated to a sacred status and venerated in iconography, and jade and ceramic effigies and pendants became important parts of spiritual sustenance.

Research paper thumbnail of The Farmed and the Hunted: Integrating Floral and Faunal Data from Tres Zapotes, Veracruz

The many case studies in this volume have addressed the integration of plant and animal data in m... more The many case studies in this volume have addressed the integration of plant and animal data in myriad ways. As the final case study, this chapter picks up where the methods chapter on multivariate analysis left off (VanDerwarker, Chapter 5, this volume; see also Hollenbach and Walker, this volume), using principle components analysis to consider the covariation of paleoethnobotanical and zooarchaeological data from the Formative Mesoamerican site of Tres Zapotes. Our primary question regarding the Tres Zapotes dataset is: Did different social status groups eat different foods, and if so, what were they eating (in both type and quantity) and why do these differences occur? Addressing this question requires a consideration of both temporal and spatial patterns in the faunal and floral data. These data span the Formative period as defined for southern Veracruz, Mexico (1400 bc–ad 300); we discuss site chronology in more detail later. In addition to time, we aggregate our data based on social context, with reference to the following categories: elite domestic and administrative areas, referred to as elite; ceremonial and/or mortuary deposits, referred to as ceremonial; and nonelite domestic deposits, referred to as domestic. It is these contextual categories on which we base our present analysis and interpretations.

Research paper thumbnail of The Farmed and the Hunted: Integrating Floral and Faunal Data from Tres Zapotes, Veracruz

Integrating Zooarchaeology and …, Jan 1, 2010

Research paper thumbnail of The Zooarchaeology of Olmec and Epi-Olmec Foodways along Mexico's Gulf Coast

in "The Archaeology of Mesoamerican Animals" "La arqueología de los animales de Mesoamérica", Oct 2013

in "The Archaeology of Mesoamerican Animals" "La arqueología de los animales de Mesoamérica"

Research paper thumbnail of National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Nomination: Archaic Shell-Bearing Sites of the Middle Cumberland River Valley of Tennessee

Site 40DV307 (the Barnes site) is situated along the natural levee of the Cumberland River west o... more Site 40DV307 (the Barnes site) is situated along the natural levee of the Cumberland River west of Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee. Archaeological investigations at 40DV307 have revealed multi-component prehistoric occupations including intact deposits from the Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian periods of regional prehistory. The Archaic period deposits at 40DV307 are situated approximately 4–¬6.5 feet below modern ground surface and include concentrations of freshwater gastropods and bivalves. Radiocarbon samples and the overall character of these deposits link them to the regional manifestation of the Shell Mound Archaic cultural phase (ca. 6500 – 1000 BC) as it appears within the Middle Cumberland River Valley. In addition to modified stone, lithic tools, and freshwater shellfish, the Archaic shell-bearing levels at 40DV307 contain artifact classes including botanical remains, animal bone, and radiocarbon samples. Both collectively and individually these data classes will produce information significant to our understanding of prehistoric archaeology, human settlement, and culture change in Tennessee and the American Southeast during the mid-Holocene. Consequently, site 40DV307 is eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion D of 36 CFR 60.4, as related to the Multiple Property listing “Archaic shell-bearing sites of the Middle Cumberland River Valley, Tennessee.”

Research paper thumbnail of National Register of Historic Places Listing: 40DV307, the Barnes Site

Site 40DV307 (the Barnes site) is situated along the natural levee of the Cumberland River west o... more Site 40DV307 (the Barnes site) is situated along the natural levee of the Cumberland River west of Nashville in Davidson County, Tennessee. Archaeological investigations at 40DV307 have revealed multi-component prehistoric occupations including intact deposits from the Archaic, Woodland, and Mississippian periods of regional prehistory. The Archaic period deposits at 40DV307 are situated approximately 4–¬6.5 feet below modern ground surface and include concentrations of freshwater gastropods and bivalves. Radiocarbon samples and the overall character of these deposits link them to the regional manifestation of the Shell Mound Archaic cultural phase (ca. 6500 – 1000 BC) as it appears within the Middle Cumberland River Valley. In addition to modified stone, lithic tools, and freshwater shellfish, the Archaic shell-bearing levels at 40DV307 contain artifact classes including botanical remains, animal bone, and radiocarbon samples. Both collectively and individually these data classes will produce information significant to our understanding of prehistoric archaeology, human settlement, and culture change in Tennessee and the American Southeast during the mid-Holocene. Consequently, site 40DV307 is eligible for inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places under Criterion D of 36 CFR 60.4, as related to the Multiple Property listing “Archaic shell-bearing sites of the Middle Cumberland River Valley, Tennessee.”

Research paper thumbnail of Malnourished: Cultural Ignorance Paved the Way for Pellagra

Gravy, 2016

Ancient farmers domesticated corn, or maize, about 9,000 years ago in the Rio Balsas River region... more Ancient farmers domesticated corn, or maize, about 9,000 years ago in the Rio Balsas River region of present-day Mexico. From there, dried kernels made their way along ancient trade routes to other locales in Mesoamerica, Central America, and eventually North America. Corn was easy to grow and produced a high yield. Eventually, entire communities flourished alongside maize crops. Corn traveled to Europe in the post-Columbus world and spread across the continent. When early European colonists arrived in North America, Native peoples, especially the Iroquois, taught them how to farm and prepare corn. An essential step in the preparation of corn is nixtamalization, which liberates the chemical compounds niacin and tryptophan and makes them bioavailable. While we do not know exactly when ancient Mesoamericans developed this method, the earliest culinary equipment associated with the process dates to approximately 3,200 years ago. Real and long-lasting problems arose when corn became a commodity crop as early as the 1700s in Europe. In the nineteenth-century rural South, sharecroppers grew it, sold it, ate it, and became sick—all because of a lost recipe.

Research paper thumbnail of Feast or Famine: Corn's Role in America's (Pre)History

Research paper thumbnail of RAPID:Emergency Shoreline Assessment and Sampling of Archaeological Sites Along the Cumberland River in Middle Tennessee

With NSF support, the co-PIs conducted an emergency survey and assessment of 128 previously recor... more With NSF support, the co-PIs conducted an emergency survey and assessment of 128 previously recorded prehistoric archaeological sites along 67.5 miles of the Cumberland River in Middle Tennessee. The main goals of this survey were to evaluate damage to archaeological resources as a result of catastrophic flooding in May 2010 and subsequent looting activity, and to recover data from sites in the greatest danger of being destroyed. The project included an examination of all known site locations, recordation of previously unrecorded archaeological deposits, and documentation of both natural and anthropogenic site disturbances.

Research paper thumbnail of Making Public Outreach the Norm in Archaeology

Research paper thumbnail of Garfish – It’s NOT What’s for Dinner!

Blog post on recent research into the ethnography and ethnohistory of garfish use by ancient Nat... more Blog post on recent research into the ethnography and ethnohistory of garfish use by ancient Native Americans in the Southeastern United States. Post prepared for the Tennessee Council for Professional Archaeology's "30 Days of Tennessee Archaeology."

Research paper thumbnail of 2014 Tennessee Archaeology Awareness Month Poster

Research paper thumbnail of Middle Cumberland Archaeology Project

The URL of this blog is named for the Southeastern Shell Research Group (SSRG), formed in 2009. T... more The URL of this blog is named for the Southeastern Shell Research Group (SSRG), formed in 2009. The SSRG is made up of researchers from a variety of institutions across the Southeastern United States. Members of the SSRG are interested in the use of marine and/or freshwater shellfish in a variety of times and places for purposes of subsistence, resource management, landscape construction, memorializing, and other reasons we are only just now perceiving.

The purpose of the blog is to highlight research into ancient uses of shellfish across the Southeastern US. Currently the main focus of the blog is the MTSU Middle Cumberland Archaeology Project (MCAP). You can sign up to receive research alerts via email when new posts are added. Posts are sporadic throughout the academic year, but will be daily once the field season has begun in May.

This blog is maintained by Dr. Tanya M. Peres, Associate Professor of Anthropology at Middle Tennessee State University and Director of MTSU MCAP.

Research paper thumbnail of Rutherford County Archaeology Research Program

The Rutherford County Archaeology Research Program (RCARP) is a research program focused on the a... more The Rutherford County Archaeology Research Program (RCARP) is a research program focused on the ancient peoples that called Rutherford County, Tennessee home 12,000-500 years ago. RCARP is based at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and is directed by Dr. Tanya M. Peres, Associate Professor of Anthropology. Our mission is to learn more about the ancient peoples and cultures of Rutherford County, Tennessee; to share this information with researchers, students, and the public; and to document, conserve, and protect the archaeological resources of the region.

Research paper thumbnail of Making Archaic Snaileries out of Shell Heaps: Human Behaviors and Ecological Niches.

Global evidence for human consumption and management of gastropods predates the Neolithic Revolut... more Global evidence for human consumption and management of gastropods predates the Neolithic Revolution - the period noted for independent experimentation and domestication of terrestrial plants and animals. Archaeological data indicates that gastropods, terrestrial and aquatic, were vital resources for Holocene human communities. This phenomenon is not limited to one region. The consumption of aquatic snails is documented from archaeological sites in Mesoamerica, Japan, and China, while the consumption of land snails is well-documented in the Iberian Peninsula, circum-Mediterranean area, Africa, and North and South America. These studies show the temporal depth and spatial breadth of humans’ knowledge of, and interaction with, different species of snails. Along interior rivers of the American Southeast, evidence for the exploitation of freshwater gastropods (small game) appear in archaeological sites dating from approximately 7000 to 1000 cal BC. We bring together multiple lines of data to test the hypothesis that the freshwater gastropod deposits (snaileries) along the Cumberland River in the American Southeast were the outcome of human behaviors that ultimately resulted in the construction of ecological niches favorable for humans and snails.

Paper presented in the symposium “In the Service of a Greater Good: Broader Applications of Zooarchaeology in the Era of Interdisciplinary Research.” 83rd Annual Meeting, of the Society for American Archaeology, Washington, DC.

Research paper thumbnail of The Cumberland River Archaic of Middle Tennessee

For thousands of years, the inhabitants of the Middle Cumberland River Valley harvested shellfish... more For thousands of years, the inhabitants of the Middle Cumberland River Valley harvested shellfish for food and raw materials then deposited the remains in dense concentrations along the river. Very little research has been published on the Archaic period shell mounds in this region. Demonstrating that nearly forty such sites exist, this volume presents the results of recent surveys, excavations, and laboratory work as well as fresh examinations of past investigations that have been difficult for scholars to access.

In these essays, contributors describe an emergency riverbank survey of shell-bearing sites that were discovered, reopened, or damaged in the aftermath of recent flooding. Their studies of these sites feature stratigraphic analysis, radiocarbon dating, zooarchaeological data, and other interpretive methods. Other essays in the volume provide the first widely accessible summary of previous work on sites that have long been known. Contributors also address larger topics such as GIS analysis of settlement patterns, research biases, and current debates about the purpose of shell mounds.

This volume provides an enormous amount of valuable data from the abundant material record of a fascinating people, place, and time. It is a landmark synthesis that will improve our understanding of the individual communities and broader cultures that created shell mounds across the southeastern United States.

Research paper thumbnail of The Cumberland River Archaic of Middle Tennessee

The Cumberland River Archaic of Middle Tennessee, 2019

For thousands of years, the inhabitants of the Middle Cumberland River Valley harvested shellfish... more For thousands of years, the inhabitants of the Middle Cumberland River Valley harvested shellfish for food and raw materials then deposited the remains in dense concentrations along the river. Very little research has been published on the Archaic period shell mounds in this region. Demonstrating that nearly forty such sites exist, this volume presents the results of recent surveys, excavations, and laboratory work as well as fresh examinations of past investigations that have been difficult for scholars to access.
In these essays, contributors describe an emergency riverbank survey of shell-bearing sites that were discovered, reopened, or damaged in the aftermath of recent flooding. Their studies of these sites feature stratigraphic analysis, radiocarbon dating, zooarchaeological data, and other interpretive methods. Other essays in the volume provide the first widely accessible summary of previous work on sites that have long been known. Contributors also address larger topics such as GIS analysis of settlement patterns, research biases, and current debates about the purpose of shell mounds.
This volume provides an enormous amount of valuable data from the abundant material record of a fascinating people, place, and time. It is a landmark synthesis that will improve our understanding of the individual communities and broader cultures that created shell mounds across the southeastern United States.

Research paper thumbnail of Finding the Positive in the Negative: Archaeology and Data Collection in the Face of Natural Disasters

The impact of natural disasters and climate change on archaeological resources has garnered much ... more The impact of natural disasters and climate change on archaeological resources has garnered much recent attention, with impacts of sea
level rise and coastal flooding being the two most often cited issues. However, damage caused by flooding of interior areas and
waterways has received less consideration. In this article, we present a case study of a collaborative emergency response to a significant
weather event and the ensuing impacts on archaeological resources. Our project, located in Middle Tennessee, documented severe erosion and subsequent anthropogenic disturbances to ancient Native American sites following massive flooding of the Cumberland River in 2010. While striving to mitigate this damage via the systematic collection of imperiled archaeological samples, we were also able to strengthen partnerships among professional archaeologists working in different arenas (academia, state and federal agencies) and the avocational archaeological community. As these types of weather-related events become more common, published case studies of response efforts will be crucial in archaeological site management, planning, and disaster response.

En tiempos recientes, el efecto del cambio climático y desastres naturales en el registro arqueología y patrimonio ha ganado mucha
atención, especialmente el aumento del nivel del mar y la inundación del litoral. La destrucción en la interior por cause de la inundación
fluvial ha recibido menos consideración. En este artículo, presentamos un caso involucrando un programa emergencia en respuesta a un
evento climático y subsecuentes impactos al registro arqueología. Nuestro proyecto, de 2010 en el valle de Río Cumberland de Medio
Tennessee, ha documentado erosión severa y cambios a sitios arqueológicos indígenas. Durante nuestros trabajos de rescate y
documentación, fortalecimos las relaciones entre arqueólogos académicos, estatales y federales y la comunidad. Viendo que estos tipos
de eventos de la clima están ocurriendo con más frecuencia, este modelo de estudio podría ser más importante en el manejo,
planificación y respuesta al desastre.

Research paper thumbnail of Recent Research in the Middle Cumberland River Valley: Introduction to the Special Volume

Tennessee Archaeology Vol. 6(1-2):5-17, 2012

The Cumberland River flows 688 miles (1,107 km) westward from its headwaters in Letcher County, K... more The Cumberland River flows 688 miles (1,107 km) westward from its headwaters in Letcher County, Kentucky through southern Kentucky and northern Middle Tennessee before emptying into the Ohio River near Paducah, Kentucky. Since the late seventeenth century, the Cumberland River has served as a vital resource and transportation corridor for European and Euro-American settlement, development, and commerce in Tennessee and the surrounding region. However, the history of human activity along the Cumberland River begins long before European exploration west of the Appalachians, or proto-historic settlement of the region by the Shawnee, Cherokee, Creek, and Chickasaw. Consistent human occupation and reuse of natural levees and adjacent terrace landforms since the late Pleistocene has resulted in the formation of numerous deeply-buried, stratified, multicomponent archaeological sites. The density of prehistoric settlement along the Cumberland River and its tributaries is particularly notable within the Middle Cumberland River valley in Tennessee, where archaeological evidence has revealed that initial human occupations occurred by at least 12,100 cal BP.

With such a rich and ancient history, one would think a published synthesis of archaeology along the Cumberland River would have occurred years ago. Unfortunately, primary data and site information are found mainly within the “grey literature” -- technical reports, state site files, and field notes -- and no synthesis, or attempt at a synthesis, exists. We offer this special guest-edited volume of Tennessee Archaeology as an effort to highlight the distinct archaeological record of the Middle Cumberland River valley and encourage future scholarship. In this Introduction we offer a description and definition of the Middle Cumberland River valley, a brief overview of the history of archaeology in the region, and highlight the current state of archaeological research and resource management addressed by the contributors to this volume.

Research paper thumbnail of Tattoo Bundles as Archaeological Correlates for Ancient Body Ritual in Eastern North America

Shaman, Priest, Practice, Belief: Materials of Ritual and Religion in Eastern North America, Dec 2019

Ancient Native American tattooing presents an interpretive dilemma, in which archaeologists are f... more Ancient Native American tattooing presents an interpretive dilemma, in which archaeologists are faced with the presence of a widespread and highly-significant cultural practice to which existing artifact typologies --and therefore our interpretive framework for understanding ancient ritual and regalia-- have been overwhelmingly blind. This work builds on previous examinations of bundle traditions from the eastern Great Plains in order to focus on tattoo bundles as a material assemblage, the constituent parts of which may be identified in archaeological settings. Applying this model to the archaeological record of the American Southeast allows a case to be made that Native American tattooing extends to at least ca. 3300 BC, by which time it was already connected with bundle traditions.

You may also download an annotated PDF of this chapter here: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/environment/archaeology/documents/staffpubs/arch_Deter-Wolf%20and%20Peres%202019.pdf

Research paper thumbnail of Archaeological assessment reveals Earth's early transformation through land use

by Dorian Q Fuller, Lisa Janz, Maria Marta Sampietro, Philip I. Buckland, Agustín A Diez Castillo, Ciler Cilingiroglu, Gary Feinman, Peter Hiscock, Peter Hommel, Maureece Levin, Henrik B Lindskoug, Scott Macrae, John M. Marston, Alicia R Ventresca-Miller, Ayushi Nayak, Tanya M Peres, Lucas Proctor, Steve Renette, Gwen Robbins Schug, Peter Schmidt, Oula Seitsonen, Arkadiusz Sołtysiak, Robert Spengler, Sean Ulm, David Wright, and Muhammad Zahir

Science, 2019

Environmentally transformative human use of land accelerated with the emergence of 5 agriculture,... more Environmentally transformative human use of land accelerated with the emergence of 5 agriculture, but the extent, trajectory, and implications of these early changes are not well understood. An empirical global assessment of land use from 10,000 BP to 1850 CE reveals a planet largely transformed by hunter-gatherers, farmers and pastoralists by 3,000 years ago, significantly earlier than land-use reconstructions commonly used by Earth scientists. Synthesis of knowledge contributed by over 250 archaeologists highlighted gaps in archaeological 10 expertise and data quality, which peaked at 2000 BP and in traditionally studied and wealthier regions. Archaeological reconstruction of global land-use history illuminates the deep roots of Earth's transformation through millennia of increasingly intensive land use, challenging the emerging Anthropocene paradigm that anthropogenic global environmental change is mostly recent. 15 One Sentence Summary: A map of synthesized archaeological knowledge on land use reveals a planet transformed by hunter-gatherers, farmers and pastoralists by 3,000 years ago.

Authors not found on Academia:
Torben Rick, Tim Denham, Jonathan Driver, Heather Thakar, Amber L. Johnson, R. Alan Covey, Jason Herrmann, Carrie Hritz, Catherine Kearns, Dan Lawrence, Michael Morrison, Robert J. Speakman, Martina L. Steffen, Keir M. Strickland, M. Cemre Ustunkaya, Jeremy Powell, Alexa Thornton.

Research paper thumbnail of Baking, Bourbon, and Black Drink: Foodways Archaeology in the American Southeast

Understanding and explaining societal rules surrounding food and foodways have been the foci of a... more Understanding and explaining societal rules surrounding food and foodways have been the foci of anthropological studies since the early days of the discipline. Baking, Bourbon, and Black Drink: Foodways Archaeology in the American Southeast, however, is the first collection devoted exclusively to southeastern foodways analyzed through archaeological perspectives. These essays examine which foods were eaten and move the discussion of foodstuffs into the sociocultural realm of why, how, and when they were eaten.

Editors Tanya M. Peres and Aaron Deter-Wolf present a volume that moves beyond basic understandings, applying new methods or focusing on subjects not widely discussed in the Southeast to date. Chapters are arranged using the dominant research themes of feasting, social and political status, food security and persistent places, and foodways histories. Contributors provide in-depth examination of specific food topics such as bone marrow, turkey, Black Drink, bourbon, earth ovens, and hominy.

Contributors bring a broad range of expertise to the collection, resulting in an expansive look at all of the steps taken from field to table, including procurement, production, cooking, and consumption, all of which have embedded cultural meanings and traditions. The scope of the volume includes the diversity of research specialties brought to bear on the topic of foodways as well as the temporal and regional breadth and depth, the integration of multiple lines of evidence, and, in some cases, the reinvestigation of well-known sites with new questions and new data.

“This volume is an excellent resource on the foodways of the southeast and provides fascinating new data, as well as revisiting previously studied sites and analyses of foodways.”
—Renee B. Walker, coeditor of Foragers of the Terminal Pleistocene in North America

“Baking, Bourbon, and Black Drink is a collection of works elucidating—and in some instances integrating—many diverse aspects of diet and cuisines, written by authors who bring a broad range of expertise to the field of archaeology. It is a major contribution.”
—Gayle J. Fritz, professor of archaeology at Washington University in St. Louis

CONTRIBUTORS
Rachel V. Briggs / Stephen B. Carmody / Aaron Deter-Wolf / Thomas E. Emerson / Kandace D. Hollenbach / Megan C. Kassabaum / Scot Keith / Nicolas Laracuente / Kelly L. Ledford / Tanya M. Peres / Thomas J. Pluckhahn / Neill J. Wallis / Lauren A. Walls / Elic M. Weitzel

University of Alabama Press, August 2018
232 PAGES / 6 x 9 / 33 B&W FIGURES / 4 MAPS / 6 TABLES
ISBN 978-0-8173-1992-2 / HARDCOVER
ISBN 978-0-8173-9195-9 / EBOOK

Research paper thumbnail of The Cumberland River Emergency Archaeological Survey