Abstract

Dog remains are familiar components of zooarchaeological assemblages. Traditionally, they are quantified and recorded in similar ways to other forms of faunal evidence. Yet most faunal remains are vestiges of past meals, and equate to little more than a sorted roster of menu items. Dogs, however, represent a unique form of cultural evidence that may more fully inform both archaeologists and physical anthropologists alike. Considering that dogs were bred, fed, cared for, trained by and spent their lifetime in the company of humans, their contribution to the archaeological record is more cultural than strictly biological. I propose that dogs have, therefore, been underutilised as alternative lines of supporting evidence in relation to such disparate issues as health in past human communities. This paper will contrast and compare the results of the paleopathological analysis of domestic canid remains from two distinct regions of Canada: the Northwest Coast and south-central Ontario. Results suggest that dog remains share skeletal stresses similar to those found in contemporaneous human populations. Furthermore, such evidence may illustrate other forms of stress not easily recognized on human skeletal remains. It is therefore suggested that dogs be considered as independent indicators of health status in past human communities.