Archaeological evidence of prehistoric bear hunting and bear veneration in the northern
Rocky Mountains and northwestern Plains is presented. Ethnographic documents and the
writings of trappers, traders, and explorers are assessed in order to establish an interpretative
framework to help decipher archaeological contexts in the region that include bear remains and
rock art depicting bears. Examining prehistoric archaeological contexts in Montana and
Wyoming within this framework suggests evidence of bear hunting and veneration similar to the
regional ethnographic record. Data trends imply there may be a relationship between such sites
and variables like site location, seasonality, function, and age. Contexts with bear remains were
regularly located along stream corridors, and several sites showed winter occupation and hints of
the ritual treatment of bear skulls and paws. An apparent increase in hunting during the Late
Prehistoric Period was likely affiliated with warfare and healing. Compatible theoretical
approaches are articulated in an effort to more clearly understand bear hunting and veneration in
ecologic, symbolic, and utilitarian terms. Possible motivations include economic, social
signaling, bear power attainment, and revenge incentives. Multiple archaeological signatures are
forwarded at the conclusion that may indicate bear veneration, help identify and locate such sites,
and enlighten our knowledge of specific hunting practices and potential motives.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:MONTANA/oai:etd.lib.umt.edu:etd-05152014-122658 |
| Date | 03 June 2014 |
| Creators | Ciani, Michael D. |
| Contributors | Douglas MacDonald, Anna Prentiss, Chris Servheen |
| Publisher | The University of Montana |
| Source Sets | University of Montana Missoula |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | text |
| Format | application/pdf |
| Source | http://etd.lib.umt.edu/theses/available/etd-05152014-122658/ |
| Rights | unrestricted, I hereby certify that, if appropriate, I have obtained and attached hereto a written permission statement from the owner(s) of each third party copyrighted matter to be included in my thesis, dissertation, or project report, allowing distribution as specified below. I certify that the version I submitted is the same as that approved by my advisory committee. I hereby grant to University of Montana or its agents the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible, under the conditions specified below, my thesis, dissertation, or project report in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. I retain all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis, dissertation or project report. I also retain the right to use in future works (such as articles or books) all or part of this thesis, dissertation, or project report. |
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