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FIELD METHODS: COLLECTING ANCIENT AND MODERN FISH BONES
We collect our ancient fish bone samples from middens at multiple archaeological sites in the Penobscot Bay.
Middens are ancient garbage heaps where people have left remains from domestic activities, like cooking. Our sample middens are full of discarded mussel shells and fish bones, representative of the mainly marine diet of the local native people.
FIELD METHODS1. COLLECTING ANCIENT FISH BONES
FIELD METHODS1. COLLECTING ANCIENT FISH BONES
Over time, the contents of middens form distinct layers, or strata, that often represent distinct cultural changes. We can track changes in the local diet by tracking changes in the contents of the stratum from the deepest depth to the surface soil. The lowermost stratum reflects the oldest deposit, the uppermost the youngest.
FIELD METHODS1. COLLECTING ANCIENT FISH BONES
Over time, the contents of middens form distinct layers, or strata, that often represent distinct cultural changes. We can track changes in the local diet by tracking changes in the contents of the stratum from the deepest depth to the surface soil. The lowermost stratum reflects the oldest deposit, the uppermost the youngest.
Stratum 1
Stratum 2
Flounder
Cod
Sculpin
FIELD METHODS1. COLLECTING ANCIENT FISH BONES
In order to capture information about both the nearshore and offshore paleoenvironment of the Penobscot Bay regions, we specifically searched for the remains of two species of nearshore fish (flounder and sculpin) and one species of offshore fish (cod).
FIELD METHODS1. COLLECTING ANCIENT FISH BONES
While searching for ancient fish bones and other food remains in the middens, we also found these bone artifacts: hand-carved fish hooks. They help confirm that fish was a major part of the local diet at the time they were deposited. The large hooks are well suited to catch cod, while the smaller ones would be useful for catching flounder.
FIELD METHODS1. COLLECTING MODERN FISH BONES
Flounder
Cod
Sculpin
Within the fish bones, we study unique chemical (isotopic) signatures that represent the fish’s diet. We collect modern fish bones and compare their isotopic signatures to those preserved in our ancient samples so that we can track changes through time.
FIELD METHODS1. COLLECTING MODERN FISH BONES
To do this, we collect live samples of nearshore species (sculpin and flounder) and cod (offshore species) in close proximity to the Penobscot Bay. We also buy samples of offshore species from the Harbor Fish Market in Portland.
Flounder
Cod
Sculpin
