Tunel: A case study of avian zooarchaeology and taphonomy

Although not often considered, there are many osteological characters uniqu e to the avian skeleton that influence the taphonomy of bird bones. These c haracters are reviewed and their archaeological significance discussed here in. The presence of marrow in many avian long bones is important to interpr etation of avian remains from archaeological sites because the presence of marrow affects bone density and, in turn, preservation. Other structural pr operties that affect avian bone preservation include cortical wall thicknes s, length and pneumatic state. Based on an analysis of approximately 10,000 bird bones from the archaeological site of Tunel, Tierra del Fuego, Argent ina, I found that specific breakage patterns resulted from natural taphonom ic processes acting as a result of the unique avian bone characteristics. T his information may allow researchers to distinguish breakage patterns in a vian bones resulting from natural taphonomic processes from breakage patter ns that are culturally induced.