Variation in the Configuration of the Middle Snake River and Its Relationship to Prehistoric Fishing Site Locations

Abstract

The configuration of the various elements of a river system can have significant impacts on the availability, abundance, and nutritional profitability of aquatic organisms utilized as food by groups of human foragers. These factors may have influenced the location and timing of prehistoric fishing along the Middle Snake River in southern Idaho during the Late Archaic when use of fish as a resource increased (beginning approximately 1500 B.P.). Previous work has established a relationship between physiographic features of the Middle Snake River channel and the presence of fishing sites. To improve on future studies of this type, it is important to question two assumptions: 1) the category of "fishing site" is useful and defensible; and 2) the configuration of the Middle Snake River was static during the period when archaeological evidence suggests increased use of fish. This study assesses the argument that prehistoric camp locations, regardless of evidence for fishing, were influenced by physiographic features of pre-dam channels and by possible changes in features over time. vi TABLE OF CONTENTS