Abstract

This investigative taphonomic study explored the role of bone density and pH in the survival of salmon bones. Selected salmon elements were defleshed and subjected to a period of four weeks in four different solutions that ranged from pH 4 to pH 10. The results of the study, although preliminary, indicated that both extremely alkaline and extremely acidic environments were detrimental to element survival. Bone density was not found to correlate significantly with survivorship and no interaction was detected between pH and density. These results yield some interesting findings with respect to Northwest coast sites, as they are typically found in alkaline environments and are often linked with significant salmon use. Further research should be directed towards both acquiring accurate density measurements for the different species of salmon and in conducting more intensive experimental taphonomic studies.