Abstract

Data from faunal reports, ethnographies, and nutritional studies are used to assess the prehistoric economic value of the ratfish. (Hydrolagus colliei) on the Northwest Coast. It is shown that sites or components of sites that exhibit a relatively high proportion of ratfish among the fish remains also tend to exhibit relatively low quantities of salmon and a high ratio of deer to harbour seal among mammalian fauna. Ethnographic and nutritional data indicate the low food value of ratfish and deer in contrast to more highly prized salmon and harbour seal. It is concluded that increased or relatively intense use of ratfish can serve as an indication of economic hard times. On this basis it may be possible to construct a more finely textured understanding of spatial and temporal variation in Northwest Coast economy.