Animals and Ritual in the Copán Acropolis: Zooarchaeology of Special Deposits

List of Figures

Figure  1.  Animal remains from various deposits were examined, preliminarily identified, and photographed for verification with FLMNH comparative collections.

Figure  2.  Diagnostic elements were removed from vessels (using a dissecting microscope) for later identification and analysis at the FLMNH after a full survey of species and element diversity. Care was taken to maintain the integrity of the vessel contents for later exhibit.

Figure  3.  The macrozoom function of the digital Nikon CoolPix 8.0 will allow for further quantification of unsampled vessel contents.

Figure  4.  Fish and shrimp purchased at the Jocotán market were prepared for inclusion in the comparative skeletal collection, and initial osteological comparison suggests these were the same species recovered from the vessels in the Margarita Tomb.

Figure  5.  Local fishermen from the village of Copán Ruinas were kind enough to show us their techniques and discuss the taxonomy, populations, and ecology of the local riverine fauna.

Figure  6.  Using a Tungsten Palm Pilot loaded with photographs of local fish species, the fishermen and I were able to discuss the local taxonomy of species, the size ranges of the various taxa, and their frequency of harvest. (The fisherman to the left is illustrating the maximum size of a riverine ictalurid catfish.)

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