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The goal of vertebrate analysis is the determination of the speicies present, any idications of butchery, as well as age and
sex determination. Preliminary quantification involves counting and weighing the bones, teeth and scales. Following this,
the number of individual specimens present (NISP), minimum number of individuals (MNI), and meat weights can be assessed for
each species.
The analysis of vertebrate remains helps to interpret:
ditary importance of wild versus domestic
species
seasonality through the use of enamal thin section and species specific habit information
fishing
and hunting techniques
socio-economic status through the use of meat cuts
age profiles of butchered species
Invertebrate Analysis
Invertebrate remains, in the form of bivalve and gastopod shells, can be used in much the same way as vertebrate remains.
The goal of invertebrate analysis is the determination of the species present and their quantification through counting and
weighing. Quantification data is used to determine the NISP, MNI and meat weights for each species in the assemblage.
Shellfish can be used to:
determine the seasonality through the use of incremental growth analysis
reconstruct
past catchment areas
determine the contribution of shellfish to the overall diet
determine the amount of
collection pressure on a shellfish bed
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