ISOTOPIC CONFIRMATION OF SUBSISTENCE TRENDS AT NAMU, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Conference Paper

ISOTOPIC CONFIRMATION OF SUBSISTENCE TRENDS AT NAMU, BRITISH COLUMBIA

Aubrey Cannon; Henry P. SCHWARCZ; Martin KNYF

Abstract

Isotopic analysis of dog bones is used to verify trends in the Namu subsistence economy over the period 6,060-1,405 BP. The results show comparable values to those obtained for human bone, and match trends in salmon and shellfish consumption indicated by the analysis of faunal remains. The study demonstrates the value of using domestic dog remains as an independent line of evidence to monitor trends in human diet on the Northwest Coast.