Abstract
Zooarchaeological methods were used to examine status differences exhibited by two 19th century fur trading posts in northwestern Wisconsin (1802–1804). It was hypothesized that the well established North West Company Post would exhibit a higher standard of frontier living and hence, status, than that of the rival XY Company, and these differences should be reflected in the diet of the fur traders. Analysis indicates that the North West Company traders consumed a larger quantity and better quality of meat than their rivals. These data were also used, on an intrasite basis, to differentiate the occupants of the North West Company cabins. This examination yielded results which conflicted with previous interpretations, prompting a reexamination of the non-faunal data and rejection of the earlier interpretations.
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Ewen, C.R. Fur trade archaeology: A study of frontier hierarchies. Hist Arch 20, 15–28 (1986). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03374058
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03374058