Inferring demographic structure with moccasin size data from the Promontory Caves, Utah
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Publication Date
1-1-2015
Publication Title
American Journal of Physical Anthropology
Volume Number
156
Issue Number
1
Abstract
The moccasin assemblage Julian Steward recovered from the Promontory caves in 1930–31 provides a novel example in which material culture can be used to understand the structure of an AD thirteenth century population. Several studies shed light on the relationship between shoe size, foot size, and stature. We develop an anthropometric model for understanding the composition of the Promontory Cave population by using moccasin size as a proxy for foot size. We then predict the stature of the individual who would have worn a moccasin. Stature is closely related to age for children, subadults and adult males. Although there are predictable sex and age factors biasing moccasin discard practices, moccasin dimensions suggest a relatively large proportion of children and subadults occupied the Promontory caves. This bison and antelope hunting population appears to have thrived during its stay on Promontory Point. Am J Phys Anthropol 156:76–89, 2015 © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Document Type
Article
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1002/ajpa.22629
Language
English
Recommended Citation
Billinger, Michael and Ives, John W., "Inferring demographic structure with moccasin size data from the Promontory Caves, Utah" (2015). KIP Articles. 9151.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/kip_articles/9151
