SMALL MAMMALS - KUNG SAN UTILIZATION AND THE PRODUCTION OF FAUNAL ASSEMBLAGES

Analysis of !Kung San utilization of small mammals-springhare and porcupine and two antelope species, steenbok and common duiker-serves to focus paleoan-thropological attention on this generally ignored size group. Data on the hunting, butchering, and consumption of these easily obtained animals which tend to have small territories and a general pattern of year round birthing provides the basis for speculation on the role such species played in the development of hominid hunting. They also allow examination of the logic which underlies processing decisions and the extent to which this matches assumptions which faunal analysts often employ. The study demonstrates that subtle distinctions in bone size, conformation, and robusticity as well as perceived value may have major effects on how bones are treated both within and across species and that a concept of "style", defined from an etic perspective, may prove useful in the archaeological analysis of faunal remains. Conformance to stylistic rules varies greatly by element and is determined by perceived value. The data also suggest that greater ethnoarchaeological attention should be focused on the final stages of the butchering and consumption process. © 1991.