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<p>Deer remains are commonly identified in archaeological assemblages. White-tailed deer (<i>Odocoileus virginianus</i>) and mule deer (<i>Odocoileus hemionus</i>) occur across much of North America with significant overlap in the western United States including Arizona. Though white-tailed and mule deer generally occupy different environmental zones, archaeologists typically do not differentiate between the skeletal remains of these species because of their similar skeletal anatomy. Historically when archaeologists have differentiated white-tailed deer and mule deer they relied upon size as the distinguishing factor. In 2003 and 2004 Dr. Jodi Jacobson proposed post-cranial skeletal characteristics and predictive formulae for linear morphometric measurements which differentiate deer remains to species. We conducted a blind test of analysts’ ability to apply Jacobson’s qualitative and quantitative methods using deer in reference collections at the University of Arizona. Analysts’ experience in zooarchaeology did not strongly impact analysts’ ability to apply Jacobson’s system, but we were unable to recreate Jacobson’s reported accuracy. Jacobson’s formulae did appear to accurately differentiate deer remains, though again we did not achieve her reported accuracy.</p>

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Oh deer, what are you? differentiating white-tailed and mule deer post-cranial skeletons

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年2月16日

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  • Max Kremer,
  • Martin H. Welker

摘要

Deer remains are commonly identified in archaeological assemblages. White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) occur across much of North America with significant overlap in the western United States including Arizona. Though white-tailed and mule deer generally occupy different environmental zones, archaeologists typically do not differentiate between the skeletal remains of these species because of their similar skeletal anatomy. Historically when archaeologists have differentiated white-tailed deer and mule deer they relied upon size as the distinguishing factor. In 2003 and 2004 Dr. Jodi Jacobson proposed post-cranial skeletal characteristics and predictive formulae for linear morphometric measurements which differentiate deer remains to species. We conducted a blind test of analysts’ ability to apply Jacobson’s qualitative and quantitative methods using deer in reference collections at the University of Arizona. Analysts’ experience in zooarchaeology did not strongly impact analysts’ ability to apply Jacobson’s system, but we were unable to recreate Jacobson’s reported accuracy. Jacobson’s formulae did appear to accurately differentiate deer remains, though again we did not achieve her reported accuracy.