Ye Pleasant Mount: 1989 1990 Excavations - Open site which ...

The next largest taxon category by MNI (15.4 %) count and biomass (0.9 %) in
levels 1 -2 was fishes. Two species of catfish were identified: the channel catfish (lcta/unts
PWlctatUS) and the white catfish (leta/untS caulS). The domestic bird category, which was
represented by 7.7 % of the total MNI identified and 0.4 % of the total biomass, contained
one species, a chicken (Gallus gallus). The wild birds category consisted of one species, a
possible wood duck (Cf. Au spolISa). Aquatic reptile consisted of one taxon, a turtle
belonging to the Emydidae family (box & water turtles).
In the lower unit (levels 3 through 5), wild terrestrial mammals represented the
largest category by MNI (33.3 %) count, but the second largest category by biomass
(45 %). The river otter (Lutra calldellSis), squirrel, and deer were included in this category.
Domestic mammals, wild birds, and fishes tied for the second largest category by MNI
count. Domestic mammals were by far the largest taxon category based on biomass. Pig
and cow were the only two domestic mammals identified in the lower unit. Two wild bird
species were recognized, the turkey (Me/eagris gallapavo) and the pheasant/quail
(Phasianidae. Fishes included the channel catfish and the snail bullhead (lcta/untS
bnlllllellS). The chicken was the only domestic bird species and the chicken turtle
(Deiroche/ys reticu/aria) was the only aquatic reptile.
A standard procedure for all faunal materials analyzed at the Zooarchaeological
Laboratory at the University of Georgia is to measure whole elements. Angela von den
Driesch's (1976) measurement guide is used for this procedure. These measurements are
presented in Table 7. Most of the measurable specimens were feet elements. These
measurements are provided as comparative data for adding to a continuing data base. It
is hoped that at some point in the future when more data has been collected, relative size
of species can be compared. This might allow a better understanding of selective breeding
practices.
Tables 8 and 9 present data on observed bone alterations. Most of the bone
showing modifications was unidentified mammal or unidentified bone. The most prevalent
(55 %) type of bone alteration was burning. It is typical that burned bone is the most
common bone modification in a sample. Eight percent of all the bone fragments in the
collection were burned. The second most prevalent bone modification (33 %) for the
levels was cut or hacked marks. Five percent of the bone from the whole sample showed
cut or hacked marks. Fish elements rarely show bone modifications other than burning;
therefore, it is notable that a catfish pectoral spine showed cut marks. Very little of the
bone was sawed. Only 2.3 % (n=4) of the modified bone was sawed; this is 0.4 % of the
total site assemblage of bone (levels 1 through 5). Gnawed bone, both rodent and
carnivore, represented 6.3 % of the modified bone. This low percentage of gnawing might
suggest that most of the bone was covered almost immediately after disposal. A total of
seven bone fragments were worked (4 % of the modified bone). At least three of these
probably were handles to flatware pieces; the unidentified fragment may be a handle also.
There were two bone awls. Five of the seven worked fragments occurred in the top zone.
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