Amira Ainis
University of Oregon, Department of Social Anthropology, Department Member
- Baja California (Archaeology), Hunter-Gatherer Archaeology, Hunters, Fishers and Gatherers' Archaeology, Hunter-Gatherers (Anthropology), Zooarchaeology, Fish Remains (Zooarchaeology), and 6 moreHistorical Marine Ecology, Historical Ecology, Shellmiddens, Coastal Geomorphology, Coastal and Island Archaeology, and Marine Ecologyedit
Archaeobotanical remains recovered from a large ~8000-year-old shell midden (CA-SRI-666) on Santa Rosa Island provide the first ancient plant data from this large island, shedding light on ancient patterns of plant use, subsistence, and... more
Archaeobotanical remains recovered from a large ~8000-year-old shell
midden (CA-SRI-666) on Santa Rosa Island provide the first
ancient plant data from this large island, shedding light on ancient
patterns of plant use, subsistence, and sedentism. Faunal data from
shell midden samples retrieved from three site loci contain evidence
for harvesting of rocky intertidal shellfish and estuarine clams and
oysters from a paleo-estuary in the vicinity. CA-SRI-666 appears to
have been an Early Holocene village site occupied year round. A
key to the development of early sedentary societies on the island
may have been geophytes, especially Brodiaea-type corms, which provided
an abundant source of carbohydrates and calories that complemented
marine resources rich in fat and whole animal proteins.
Our data demonstrate the value of integrating paleobotanical and
zooarchaeological data from island and coastal archaeological sites
to help elucidate human social, cultural, and environmental dynamics,
including sedentism.
midden (CA-SRI-666) on Santa Rosa Island provide the first
ancient plant data from this large island, shedding light on ancient
patterns of plant use, subsistence, and sedentism. Faunal data from
shell midden samples retrieved from three site loci contain evidence
for harvesting of rocky intertidal shellfish and estuarine clams and
oysters from a paleo-estuary in the vicinity. CA-SRI-666 appears to
have been an Early Holocene village site occupied year round. A
key to the development of early sedentary societies on the island
may have been geophytes, especially Brodiaea-type corms, which provided
an abundant source of carbohydrates and calories that complemented
marine resources rich in fat and whole animal proteins.
Our data demonstrate the value of integrating paleobotanical and
zooarchaeological data from island and coastal archaeological sites
to help elucidate human social, cultural, and environmental dynamics,
including sedentism.
Research Interests:
Research Interests:
To date more intact dog remains have been found on San Nicolas than on any of the other seven California Channel Islands. However, little is known about them. During the 2007 summer field season we excavated a medium sized young male dog... more
To date more intact dog remains have been found on San Nicolas than on any of the other seven California Channel Islands. However, little is known about them. During the 2007 summer field season we excavated a medium sized young male dog in a flexed burial position from a pit at CA-SNI-25, a large Native American village site. The dog