This report discusses the various kinds of data that are recoverable from the analysis of human coprolites and demonstrates how these techniques are applied to the specific analysis of prehistoric human coprolites recovered from site 41 VV 162 in southwest Texas. The data from these 43 coprolite samples are used to: (1) reconstruct aboriginal diet patterns in southwest Texas between 800 B.C. and A.D. 500; (2) predict specific periods of seasonal site occupancy; (3) distinguish between pollen resulting from the eating of certain plant foods and background pollen resulting from the normal pollen rain; and (4) make limited generalizations concerning the regional paleoenvironment between 800 B.C. and A.D. 500.

The explication of prehistoric subsistence economies has been of increasing interest to archaeologists. This emphasis is reflected, in part, by the considerable attention afforded faunal analyses in the recent archaeological literature. However, little effort has been made toward developing methods that permit meaningful comparisons of food resources at the interspecies level. Data pertinent to the calculation of both quantitative and qualitative food potential of many of the vertebrate animals represented in archaeological contexts are extant. These data are lacking for freshwater mussels, frequently found in archaeological sites in eastern North America. Information relevant to determining the food energy provided by freshwater mussels common to much of the Mississippi River drainage is presented. Results are applicable to more credible interpretations of prehistoric subsistence as related to animal food resources.

The southern border of Mesoamerica is traditionally drawn at the Ulua river of western Honduras, before dipping southward to include El Salvador, Pacific Nicaragua, and northwest Costa Rica. Recent work in the Department of Colón, Honduras, provides the earliest evidence of aboriginal occupation in the region and extends the established chronological sequence back more than a thousand years. A preliminary examination of the ceramics, and a comparison to other Preclassic sites, indicates that eastern Honduras, despite its later affiliation with Lower Central American cultural patterns, was probably participating in the cultural development and long-distance trade network of Early and Middle Preclassic Mesoamerican neighbors. Using ethnohistoric analogy, the possibility of cacao as a Preclassic trade commodity is raised. Finally, it is suggested that the cultural frontier of Mesoamerica in the southeast be extended for the Preclassic time horizon.

The investigation reported here tested the use of a computer to assist in an ongoing archaeological excavation and survey. To provide rapid computer results, a remote terminal at the site was connected by telephone service to a time-sharing computer some 300 miles distant. Techniques developed and evaluated ranged from initial program preparation and testing through evaluation of field procedures in an environment involving an interactive computer. The ability to generate requested information rapidly enough to aid in tactical decisions affecting field procedures on a daily basis was demonstrated.

An archaeological project's achievement depends on the efficiency of its management. Efficiency tends to be greater with delegation of administration to a qualified specialist. Such administration is economical for all but isolated and shoestring projects. Yet it is uncommon. Reasons and means for improvement are suggested.

The occurrence of the jaguar in the arts and myths of North American cultures has been attributed to influence from Mesoamerica. A brief review of available zoogeographic and cultural data suggests greater integration between the physical and mythological presence of the jaguar in North America than previously thought.

A compound is described which has been used in the field for consolidation of bone, shell, stone, pottery, fabric, and so forth. It has also been used in the laboratory with satisfactory results. This preparation can be applied to damp materials in the ground and allows for the preservation of otherwise nonrecoverable items. The ease of preparation and application makes it useful without requiring special training. The compound is water soluble and, importantly, the treatment is reversible, so that if different treatment is desired in the future the compound can be removed.

A major difficulty arises in sourcing studies when more than two or three elements are used in the comparison of artifacts with a number of potential sources. Multivariate statistical analysis can be used to define source groups and to allocate artifacts to their most likely sources. In this study of North Island, New Zealand, obsidian sources used in prehistory, the generalized distance measure of Mahalanobis and Rao is applied in three phases: first, to define source groups in terms of their inter- and intrasource variation using characterization data from X-ray fluorescence spectrography of five trace element constituents; second, the five-dimensional array was reduced to a three-dimensional figure for visual presentation; and finally, the highest probability of the association of an artifact data-set with that of a source group is used to allocate archaeologically derived material to its most likely source of raw material.

The identification of the original paste and temper minerals present in ceramicware fragments can often be useful in determining if the fragments are indigenous to the area or whether they represent tradeware. To date, it has generally been believed that no certain means existed to identify the mineral constitutents once they were destroyed in the original kiln-firing operation. A new technique is described that permits the investigator to often identify both temper and the fine-grained paste materials as well. This method involves: (1) crushing the fragment to a fine powder; (2) heating the powder in a high temperature furnace to sufficient temperatures to cause the constituent ions present to recombine to form new, high temperature minerals; and (3) X-ray diffraction analysis to identify the new minerals. In many cases, identification of the resulting high temperature minerals will clearly indicate the composition of the original clay paste and temper. Examples are shown for the clay minerals kaolinite, montmorillonite and palygorskite. Diffractograms are also presented for comparison of ceramic fragments from Mexico and Alabama that contain the above minerals as original constituents.

Shepard has described several principal types of temper used in pre-Hispanic ceramics in northern Yucatan. One of these, identified as “volcanic ash,” has long been a mineralogical problem because no unequivocal deposits of volcanic materials are known to exist in the area.

The possible indigenous materials that could have been identified as “volcanic ash” have been examined and the conclusion reached that the material in question is the mineral palygorskite. This mineral is widespread in the peninsula and is often associated with the mineral sepiolite. Palygorskite (also known as “attapulgite”) was known to the Maya as sak lu'um (white earth) and has been identified by high temperature studies as a constituent of Mayan ceramicware. Its origin, in Yucatan, is attributed to direct precipitation in shallow marine waters and in hypersaline, fringing lagoons. It is suggested that, unless ceramicware from Yucatan is found that actually contains true volcanic detritus (glass shards, grains of feldspar, amphibole, pyroxene, rutile, zircon, and so forth), reference to “ash temper” be avoided.

Whallon's introduction of dimensions of variance to instrasite spatial analysis is applauded. Constraints, stemming from the technique and from the nature of archaeological data-gathering techniques, are discussed.

Whallon claims to have made a rigorous application of dimensional analysis of variance to the delineation of spatial artifact patterning at the site of Guila Naquitz. Questions are raised here pertaining to replicability and to the cultural formation processes of the archaeological record. These unresolved questions suggest that Whallon's optimistic claims for the utility of dimensional analysis of variance cannot be adequately evaluated at present.

A recent article in American Antiquity discusses evidence for occupational specialization among the Classic Maya at Tikal, Guatemala. The purpose of this paper is to amplify that discussion through review of the artifactual evidence for stoneworking and monument carving as a specialized occupation at Tikal. It is suggested that this occupation was confined to a specific family line within a lineage, the members of which were artisans engaged in a variety of occupational specialties.

Sabloff attributes agreement by Adams to his interpretation of evidence from the Pasion River. Adams still dissents on evidential grounds from Sabloff"s views, and offers an alternative.

Dr. Eric O. Callen’s notes, records, and reference materials covering nearly 20 years of research in the area of human coprolite analysis have been given to the Laboratory of Anthropology at Texas A & M University. The collection has been cataloged and is now available for use by interested researchers.