Using faunal analysis to explain social stratification at an Upper Mississippian site in LaPorte County, Indiana

Abstract

The second analysis of the faunal remains recovered from site 12LE377 was focused on investigating if this site had evidence of social stratification. After the remains were re-examined and the MNI and NISP values were re-calculated, it was determined that social stratification is not evident from the faunal assemblage. The faunal assemblage was heavily fragmented and held no identifiable species that would be considered exotic to the region. There was no association between preferred cuts of deer meat and unique or exotic artifacts. Last, this site’s MNI and NISP values for mammal, bird, and fish remains were consistent with other comparative sites in the region. Social stratification may be apparent in some cases of Upper Mississippian sites when Middle Mississippians immigrated into the Upper Midwest, but it is not a social dimension in every Upper Mississippian context.