TY - JOUR AU - Hull, Emily H PY - 2019/07/03 Y2 - 2024/03/29 TI - Metric and non-metric guides for the determination between fore- and hindlimb phalanges of Rangifer tarandus JF - Rangifer JA - Ran VL - 39 IS - 1 SE - Articles DO - 10.7557/2.39.1.4630 UR - https://septentrio.uit.no/index.php/rangifer/article/view/4630 SP - 11-26 AB - <p>Phalanges are a great untapped resource in the zooarchaeology of <em>Rangifer tarandus</em>. The utilization of this resource, however, is constrained by a current inability to consistently differentiate fore- from hindlimb phalanges in a mixed assemblage. The ability to separate and identify forelimb and hindlimb phalanx 1 (PI) and phalanx 2 (PII), as well as to recognize and identify other small bones of the hoof, leads to great opportunities for archaeologists. In large scale-analysis, this capacity allows a greater ability to determine minimum number of individuals and assess butchery and transport practices. In the examination of individual life histories of <em>Rangifer tarandus</em>, these designations allow a more precise study of pathology and entheseal change, which can shed light on adaptation, foraging strategy, and human-animal interactions. This study presents qualitative and quantitative methods for the differentiation of PI and PII of the fore- and hindlimbs and describes other bones of the hoof. Metric techniques were developed to differentiate fore- from hindlimb phalanges using non-invasive, non-destructive, and simple methods. The efficacy and accuracy of these methods were assessed using blind testing by students and staff. The average success rates of metric analysis yielded 87% accuracy for determinations of fore- versus hindlimb PI and 92% accuracy for determination of fore- versus hindlimb PII. These results show that this method could benefit researchers working with <em>Rangifer tarandus</em> remains.</p> ER -