El Gigante Rock Shelter: Archaic Mesoamerica and Transitions to Settled Life

Faunal Material

50,481 fragments of bone and other faunal remains were excavated. Bone remains are relatively sparse in the upper layers. There is a marked increase in sheer volume with depth, and large mammal bone increase as a proportion of the assemblage. Most of the assemblage is heavily fragmented, perhaps pointing to intensive processing, and many (55% based on the analysis of units 1 and 2) are burned or calcined. Many of the fragments from the lower levels are unquestionably deer. Additional species identified include armadillo, fresh water crab and turtle; bird bone of unknown species has also been counted. The bone recovered below strata V changes abruptly, and is made up almost exclusively of small rodent remains. This, in addition to the lack of lithic artifacts below the same level, supports the conclusion (see above) that these strata (VI through IX) were deposited before human occupation. However, two Pleistocene age horse teeth were found in lower levels of the excavation, one of which is associated with unquestionable cultural material (lithic flakes of obsidian). These findings further solidify our case for the Paleoindian occupation of the rock shelter.

We are currently seeking collaboration with a faunal specialist who can evaluate the assemblage in more detail.

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