| This thesis investigates the ethnographic accounts and the archaeological evidence that identify past Aboriginal utilization of shellfish in the Thompson River drainage of south-central British Columbia. The results of the research on shellfish remains at archaeological sites in the Region indicate that prehistoric usage of shellfish was widespread in all areas of the Interior Plateau. The 124 shell sites (149 site components) are identified based on their association with diagnostic artifacts and/or radiocarbon dates. Aboriginal peoples harvested shellfish from the Middle Period to the present, sometimes in substantial amounts. Shell remains are found at Middle Period (27) sites, Shuswap Horizon (35 sites, Plateau Horizon (41) sites, Kamloops Horizon (13) sites, and Historic Period (3) sites. However, it is difficult to assess the relative importance of the resource in Aboriginal diet and subsistence from the limited available data. The resource was obviously of some importance in the overall subsistence pattern. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |
