Margaret Yost, “Enhancing Identification: A Photographic Reference for Black Bear and White-Tailed Deer Carpals”
Mentor: Jean Hudson, Anthropology, Letters & Science (College of)
Poster #56
Accurate species identification of skeletal remains is a critical task in zooarchaeology, yet certain bones, such as the carpals (bones of the wrist area) of black bears (Ursus americanus) and white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus), can be difficult to differentiate in the field. This project aims to create a reliable photographic reference tool to assist archaeologists in distinguishing between these two species’ carpals. By using photographic techniques such as multiple anatomical angle views and standardized scaling, this reference will highlight key morphological differences. The resulting database will provide a valuable resource for researchers, field archaeologists, and even forensic specialists, improving accuracy in species identification and aiding in the interpretation of archaeological assemblages.