Date of Award

1981

Degree Name

Biological Sciences

College

College of Science

Type of Degree

M.S.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Ralph W. Taylor

Second Advisor

Thomas E. Weaks

Third Advisor

Donald C. Tarter

Abstract

Archeological naiad valves representing 29 species were recovered from two Late Prehistoric Indian villages along the Ohio River, Mason County, West Virginia. Surface collections and limited excavation provided a total of 1,599 identifiable valves and valve fragments. Dif­ferences in species compositions and relative abundances between the two middens were noted. Samples from the Rolf Lee Farm Site (46MS51) contained 28 species while the Lewis-Old Town Farm Site (46MS57) produced only 23 species. Comparisons were made with other nearby prehistoric shell deposits and also with more recent twentieth century collections from this reach of the river. Nine of the archeological species are presently endangered and one species, Epioblasma flexuosa, is now extinct. Changes in the naiad faunal assemblage are attributed to modifications of the stream environment, especially those resulting from impoundment.

Subject(s)

Unionidae.

Animal remains (Archaeology) - West Virginia - Mason County.

Download

Share

COinS