The Dogs of Housepit 54: A Taphonomic Analysis of Recovered Canine Remains at Bridge River, British Columbia

Summary

Since 2003 the excavations at the Bridge River site have exponentially expanded our understanding of the communities that inhabited the Fraser River Canyon over 1,000 years ago. The most current excavations at Housepit 54 have provided further evidence of the many facets of Fraser River life, among these is the role of dogs. The possession and use of dogs in the Fraser River Canyon is well documented through excavations and traditional knowledge. Remains of domesticated dogs in Bridge River households have been interpreted as markers of inter-household wealth and status. The present study is conducted to develop a better understanding of the role dogs played in Housepit 54 during its various occupations. A close analysis of all skeletal remains of canines recovered from Housepit 54 is undertaken with a focus on taphonomic processes. We then consider implications for interpreting human behavior regarding dogs.

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This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• The Housepit 54 Project at Bridge River, British Columbia: Archaeological Perspectives on Demography, Cultural Inheritance, and Household History   •
• Society for American Archaeology 80th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA (2015)

Keywords

Spatial Coverage