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Comparative Archaeology Database, University of Pittsburgh
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El Dornajo Community Dataset |
The data files SHELL.TXT and SHELL.XLS provide the MNI of each taxon in a given context at El Dornajo. SHELL.TXT is a comma delimited ASCII text file. SHELL.XLS contains the same data in the form of an Excel spreadsheet. Each line in the comma delimited file represents one taxon in one unit. There are 1082 lines, each with 5 variables separated by commas. The variables are, in the following order:
| 1 | Unit: A 1 x 1 m test pit or a 2 m diameter surface collection; see maps on pages 41 and 42 of the dissertation. |
| 2 | Stratum: A natural or cultural layer distinguishable from others by its soil characteristics. A code of “surface" identifies a surface collection. |
| 3 | Level: Arbitrary levels within stata of 10 cm (or less when a stratum change was encountered). A code of "na" indicates either that the unit was a surface collection or that the strata in the unit were not excavated in levels. |
| 4 | Taxon |
| 5 | Minimum Number of Individuals (MNI) determined by the side having the greatest number (right or left valves in the case of most bivalves, the number of spires in the case of gastropods, and the number of bottom halves in the case of oysters). |
The first line of the ASCII text file, for example, is:
1,A,1,Anadara grandis,1
This indicates that the shell assemblage belongs to Unit 1, Stratum A, Level 1. This context contains 1 MNI of Anadara grandis.
The last, or 1082nd, line of the ASCII text file is:
Tola Unit 3,I,1,Cerithium stercusmuscarum,0
This indicates that the shell assemblage belongs to the Tola Unit 3, Stratum I, Level 1. This context contains 0 MNI of Cerithium stercusmuscarum.
Click here to download the file SHELL.TXT (36 KB) or the file SHELL.XLS (115 KB).