An Examination of Artiodactyl Use Through Time at Sapa'owingeh (Sapawe LA 306)

Although faunal variation and subsistence patterns during the Pueblo IV period have not been widely documented, faunal assemblages in the Southwest are comprised of mainly artiodactyls, lagomorphs and turkeys. Because artiodactyls represent abundant sources of fat and protein, and are thus highly sought after, this paper explores the utilization of artiodactyls at the site of Sapa’owingeh (LA 306). Sapa’owingeh is the largest adobe ruin in the Southwest, spanning 200 years. Because of this, it was assumed Sapa’owingeh would be a good place to elucidate changes within a faunal assemblage. Summary indices were applied to test for fluctuations through time in artiodactyl abundance at the site. These indices were then compared to other published data from contemporaneous sites in the region. This paper also focuses on the spatial dimension of elements at Sapa’owingeh. Juxtaposing room, kiva, and midden contexts from Sapa’owingeh gives insight to the importance of artiodactyls to its inhabitants.