HOT DOGS - COMESTIBLE CANIDS IN PRECLASSIC MAYA CULTURE AT CUELLO, BELIZE

The contribution of animal protein to the ancient Maya diet, and its m eans of procurement, can be assessed more accurately on the basis of s ystematic faunal recovery from recent excavations. We evaluate the pre sence of dog (Canis familiaris) remains in Preclassic (1200 BC-AD 250) deposits from the Maya site of Cuello, Belize, and conclude that the animals were raised for food and killed at the end of their first year of life. The frequency and distribution of canid bones suggest a sign ificant but not dominant contribution to the meat supply throughout th e Preclassic period.