Award Date

1-1-2008

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts (MA)

Department

Anthropology and Ethnic Studies

First Committee Member

Karen G. Harry

Number of Pages

102

Abstract

Optimal Foraging Theory has received considerable intellectual criticism since its use as an archaeological tool for understanding human behavior. In this thesis, I will evaluate Optimal Foraging Theory with an empirical test from North Creek Shelter, an archaeological site located in the Escalante Basin on the northern portion of the Colorado Plateau. This test will focus on plant utilization by the early Archaic occupants of the site. An environmental reconstruction for the Escalante Basin will be used to determine the range and quantity of plant resources available to the early Archaic occupants of North Creek Shelter. Then a botanical assemblage collected during excavation at North Creek Shelter in 2006 will be evaluated in conjunction with the environmental reconstruction to determine the optimality of plant use by the sites early Archaic occupants.

Keywords

Archaic; Creek; Early; Foraging; North; Optimal; Plant; Shelter; Theory; Use; Utah

Controlled Subject

Archaeology; Indians of North America--Study and teaching

File Format

pdf

File Size

1853.44 KB

Degree Grantor

University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Language

English

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