Looking Beyond Diet: Faunal Remains and Ritual Behavior in the American Bottom

The examination of prehistoric fauna! assemblages has traditionally focused on dietary patterns, resource availability, ecology, and other aspects of fauna! ex-ploitation. In recent years, greater emphasis has been accorded to understanding the role of animals and their products in ritual and ceremonial activities. Typically infrequent in the archaeological record, zooarchaeological remains reflecting Late Woodland Patrick phase ritual behavior were recently identified at the Fish Lake site. The fauna! data from Fish Lake and other Late Prehistoric sites provide increased insight on animal remains and ritual behavior in the American Bottom.