Patrones de consumo de fauna como indicadores de cambio sociocultural: el caso de la Quinta de Bolívar.

Generally, faunal remains in prehistorical and historical archeological contexts have been interpreted as a direct reflex of economic activities related to subsistence and diet. However, although this information is important, taken only as this disregards the huge potential that the study of cultural patterns associated to the selection, distribution, acquisition and consumption of fauna offers in relation to other aspects of everyday life and to the social and cultural transformation processes in general. In this paper and under this perspective the results from faunal samples corresponding to the second half of the 19th century when Quinta Bolivar was occupied are presented. Some of the inherent problems when interpreting social and economical differences and ethnic groups based on faunal remains are discussed in particular. Likewise, the importance of accompanying this type of analysis with documentary information relative to, among other aspects, the marketing, distribution, supply and value of meat cuts for the epoch is stressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]