A Multi-method Investigation of the Diets of Dogs from the Angel Site

Summary

This is an abstract from the "Dogs in the Archaeological Record" session, at the 88th annual meeting of the Society for American Archaeology.

The Angel site (12VG1) is located in southern Indiana, USA, on the Ohio River, and was occupied from approximately 1100 to 1450 CE. This site is part of a larger Mississippian cultural landscape. Research presented in this paper employs two methods for investigating the dietary behavior of domestic dogs recovered from the Angel site. Both dental microwear texture analysis and stable isotope analysis are utilized to explore dog-keeping practices and cultural influences on dog feeding. Dental textures from phase II dental facets are studied to evaluate access adult dogs had to valuable food resources. Results from stable isotope analysis of tooth enamel examine the role that cultivated foods played in the diets of juvenile dogs. This study shows the value of applying different methods for assessing the diets of dogs. Investigating access that domestic dogs had to food resources contributes to understanding a fundamental aspect of the human-canine relationship and is crucial for imagining dog-keeping on past landscapes.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Dogs in the Archaeological Record   •
• Society for American Archaeology 88th Annual Meeting, Portland, OR (2023)

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Spatial Coverage

Record Identifiers

Abstract Id(s): 37224.0