Knowledge Bank

Prehistoric faunal samples from two Fort Ancient Philo Phase village sites along the Muskingum River, Muskingum Co., Ohio, are described and analyzed. The two sites represent virtually identical food economies, typical Late Prehistoric maize/hunting focal economies in which maize agriculture was supplemented by deer and turkey hunting, particularly during early autumn. Habitation of both sites clearly was year round, and all local ecological niches were utilized, although little use appears to have been made of the upland oak forests and much less emphasis was placed on the littoral and riverine niches than might be expected.