A faunal analysis of two middens on the east coast of Vancouver Island
Date
1980
Authors
Wigen, Rebecca J. S.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
In this study the mammal, fish, and bird remains were analysed from two middens on either side of the Tsable River on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Both sites appear to be of the Locarno Beach culture type, with the Buckley Bay site (DjSf 13) consisting of a single component and the Tsable River Bridge site (DjSf 14) consisting of two components. The aims of the analysis were to determine what animals were collected at the sites, the contribution each animal made to the inhabitants' diet and the season of occupation of the sites. The results were compared between the two sites and with three other sites on the east coast of Vancouver Island: DkSg 2 in the Comox area, DiSe 7 at Deep Bay, and DiSc 1 at the mouth of the Little Qualicum River, and with the recent Coast Salish ethnographic data, paying particular attention to the Pentlatch. The data were analysed using the number of bone elements, weight of bone, the minimum number of individuals (MNI), and the live weight of each species multiplied by its MNI. The units compared were the whole components as no smaller units such as natural layers was determinable. The results indicate a general similarity between all of the three components. Fish were caught in larger numbers than either mammals or birds. Herring was the most frequently caught fish in all three components. Other frequently caught fish were flatfishes, rockfish, salmon, and dogfish. The most variation between the components seems to lie in the proportion of salmon, herring and the remaining fishes. DjSf 14II showed the highest amount of herring and DjSf 13 the highest amount of salmon. Despite the large numbers of fish caught, the mammals, particularly deer, probably provided the majority of the diet. The most frequently occurring mammal species in all components was Canis spp., probably mostly domestic dog. Deer was the next most numerous mammal species recovered in all components. Sea mammal elements were found in relatively small numbers and their position in the diet is debatable. Small mammals appear to have been hunted infrequently. As a whole birds seem to have been caught in the smallest numbers and supplied a small part of the overall diet. However, a large number of species were hunted. In all components the large gulls were the most frequently caught birds. Other frequently caught species were the dabbling ducks, scoters, and grouse, although the exact proportions vary considerably among the components. In comparison with the other sites in the area DjSf 13 and DjSf 14 show a wider range of species caught perhaps indicating a more lengthy seasonal occupation of these sites. The oldest component of DjSf 14 was occupied at least during the fall and spring, whether at two intervals or continuously is indeterminable. The most recent component of DjSf 14 and DjSf 13 seem to have been occupied during the entire year or at least during intervals during the entire year.