Alsatian Foodways in 19th Century Texas: A Faunal Analysis of Remains from the Biry House Excavations
Author(s): Heather L Seltzer
Year: 2017
Summary
The Jacob Biry House in Castroville, Texas was a multi-generational household occupied by Alsatian immigrants and their descendant community. The faunal remains from one feature, a lime slaking pit, were analyzed to determine the subsistence practices and foodways of Alsatian descendants who occupied the house in the 1920s. The specimens were analyzed and compared to Binghamton University’s comparative collection and published zooarchaeological texts to identify species and elements. Techniques and practices of butchering and cooking were explored by examining cut marks and evidence of heat treatment on the animal bones. Socioeconomic status was analyzed by looking at meat costs of the time. Results indicate that residents purchased meat from markets located within Castroville, while also raising animals on their property.
Cite this Record
Alsatian Foodways in 19th Century Texas: A Faunal Analysis of Remains from the Biry House Excavations. Heather L Seltzer. Presented at Society for Historical Archaeology, Fort Worth, TX. 2017 ( tDAR id: 435550)
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Keywords
General
Alsatian
•
Foodways
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Zooarchaeology
Geographic Keywords
North America
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United States of America
Temporal Keywords
20th Century
Spatial Coverage
min long: -129.199; min lat: 24.495 ; max long: -66.973; max lat: 49.359 ;
Individual & Institutional Roles
Contact(s): Society for Historical Archaeology
Record Identifiers
PaperId(s): 147