Taphonomy Today: a Taphonomic Analysis of Faunal Remains from Black Cat Cave (40RD299)
Taphonomy Today: a Taphonomic Analysis of Faunal Remains from Black Cat Cave (40RD299)
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Date
2020-04-28
Authors
Wadford, Tabatha
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
University Honors College Middle Tennessee State University
Abstract
This comparative taphonomic analysis of faunal remains is an interdisciplinary and
multipronged study of faunal remains and soil inside and outside of Black Cat Cave
40RD299. This study utilizes the methods of anthropology, geosciences, and biology
though the analysis of taphonomy, soil testing, and PXRF respectively. Macroscopic
analysis of the faunal remains reveals differential taphonomic color changes to the remains
specific to the location of retrieval. Testing shows Black Cat Cave’s soil pH was consistent,
nearly neutral, and found to not be a factor in bone color differences though instrumental
in the remarkable preservation of the faunal assemblage. The PXRF results indicate
significantly high levels of iron found on the osseous material and soil material collection
from outside the cave may play a part in the taphonomic color changes of those samples.
Description
Keywords
Liberal Arts,
taphonomy,
black cat cave,
40RD299,
skeletal remains,
anthropology,
archaeology,
PXRF,
soil,
faunal remains,
domestic dog,
cave,
archair period,
Middle Tennessee,
eastern woodlands,
Black Cat Tavern,
prehistoric grave site,
dog domestication