Subsistence
Approximately 700 pieces of
burned animal bone were
recovered from the Navajo
component. The largest num-
ber of identifiable bones were
from large-size mammals. In
addition to the burned bones
(which were obviously modified
by human activity), approxi-
mately 4,000 unburned bones
were found. Many of these
were from young cottontail rab-
bits, but others were from bob-
cat, snake and turkey.
burned animal bone were
recovered from the Navajo
component. The largest num-
ber of identifiable bones were
from large-size mammals. In
addition to the burned bones
(which were obviously modified
by human activity), approxi-
mately 4,000 unburned bones
were found. Many of these
were from young cottontail rab-
bits, but others were from bob-
cat, snake and turkey.
Over two dozen wild plant
species were identified
through charred seeds or
fruits collected from the
Navajo component. By
far the most common type
of seed was from the
cheno-am family. Other
wild food plants with a
notable number of recov-
ered seeds include sage-
brush, juniper, dropseed,
tansy mustard, purslane
and stickleaf. Taken as a
whole, these plants
emphasize the importance
of wild plant foods in the
Navajo diet. Botanical
evidence also suggests
that in addition to wild
food plants, the Navajo
also ate corn, and possi-
bly beans and squash.
species were identified
through charred seeds or
fruits collected from the
Navajo component. By
far the most common type
of seed was from the
cheno-am family. Other
wild food plants with a
notable number of recov-
ered seeds include sage-
brush, juniper, dropseed,
tansy mustard, purslane
and stickleaf. Taken as a
whole, these plants
emphasize the importance
of wild plant foods in the
Navajo diet. Botanical
evidence also suggests
that in addition to wild
food plants, the Navajo
also ate corn, and possi-
bly beans and squash.
