Culture and Ecology of Chaco Canyon and the San Juan Basin

114 Chaco Project Synthesisbut smaller seeds from 29SJ626 possibly represent adifferent variety. Although at least seven varieties ofcommon beans have been identified, the differencesamong sites are difficult to interpret.Data from faunal remains suggest the types ofanimals that provided a protein source. Akins (1985:Figures 7.1 and 7.2) indicated that small mammals arethe major species present in the Basketmaker 111-Pueblo I sites. Cottontail rabbits were predominant,with jackrabbits providing some meat, and prairiedogs present but contributing fewer calories. Bothspecies of rabbits occur in reasonable numbers,reproduce rapidly, and increase dramatically aroundagricultural fields (Akins 1985:335-336). If the earlyChacoans employed communal hunts in a mannersimilar to their Historic Period descendants, one mightexpect hunts in early summer and autumn or duringthe pinon-nut gathering season (October andNovember). Akins (1985:339) concluded that rabbithuntingprobably occurred year round, and thatcomplete animals were brought back. Prairie dogswere probably field pests during the spring and summerand could be eliminated by trapping throughoutthe agricultural season; they hibernate from Novemberthrough March, but their burrows could have beenraided for meat. Akins's (1985:Figure 7.1 and Figure7.2) graphs suggest that the prairie dog percentageswere slightly lower during the Basketmaker III-PuebloI period than during the later periods; if taking of thisspecies is correlated with agriculture, then a greaterdependence on agriculture would be taking placeduring Pueblo II and Pueblo III. (If, however, muchlarger areas were under cultivation or more diligencewas needed by agriculturalists during later periods toprevent garden pests from destroying much-neededcrops to support a larger popUlation, an increase inprairie dog remains could be expected.)Because of the relatively small size of theseanimals, little butchering or preparation prior tocooking was necessary. Evidence for burning washigh for these small mammal species when comparedto rodents, carnivores, artiodactyls, or birds (Akins1985:339). They probably represent the major sourceof protein in the daily diet, especially during thegrowing season.Several carnivore species (bobcats and coyotes,which are local species; wolf, mountain lion, andbear, which are considered imports) were recovered.The limited numbers of bear, wolf, and mountain lionbody parts suggested possible ceremonial use (Akins1985:356). Ethnographically, bear skins are used inceremonies and the hides often appear as robes,bedding, and rugs. During Chaco Project excavations,all bear remains (except one from PuebloAlto) were found in the early sites (A.D. 500 through800)(Akins 1985:Table 7.14), which may reflect earlyinstances of their importance (Akins 1985:349). Bodyparts of grizzly bear included a tibia and possibly arib, as well as a metapoidal recovered from 29SJ423.Bear claws and mountain lion claws were found in alater kiva at Pueblo Bonito, which suggests ceremonialuse or perhaps the marking of architectural featuresused by a distinct group (see discussion in Chapter 9).Akins (1985:356) commented that the remains ofcarnivores at 298J423 and 298J628 are different fromthose at other sites in that the evidence for burning ishigher and the amount of dog bone and gnawing islower, which might reflect a different attitude towardthese animals.Artiodactyl populations include deer, pronghorn,mountain sheep, and elk. Only elk are nonlocal andhunted in the mountains surrounding the San JuanBasin. During Basketmaker III-Pueblo I, pronghornare the most common of these large mammals (Akins1985:Table 7.18, Figures 7.3,7.4, and 7.5) and probablywere procured through communal hunting (Akins1985:368). "Perhaps most of the deer in the immediateenvironment had already been harvested and theinter-community organization necessary for communalhunts was present from A.D. 600 on" (Akins 1985:357).Although a few turkey remains were recoveredfrom Shabik'eshchee Village and 29SJ628, no penswere located. This, plus the poor environment forforage, suggested that these birds may have been keptfor their feathers (Akins 1985:368-369). Fewer turkeyremains were present in the Pueblo I componentsat 298J724 vs. a greater abundance at 29S1299. Otherwild bird species were also captured, probably fortheir feathers. More of these species are present atearlier sites (Akins 1985:384). It is reasonable, then,to infer that some of the larger animals and birds werenot simply part of the daily diet, but rather thatproducts made from them contributed to other aspectsof this society. It may also be reasonable to infer that