Patterns of Faunal Utilization and Sociopolitical Organization at the Mississippian Period Kincaid Mounds Site

A new analysis of faunal remains from the Kincaid Mounds site reveals patterns consistent with elite consumption, mirroring those observed at Cahokia. The study found that deer body parts and rare species were distributed in ways suggesting controlled access, possibly linked to redistributive economies. By applying utility indices and anatomical units to five archaeological contexts, researchers compared Kincaid’s data with other Mississippian sites in southern Illinois, providing insights into sociopolitical organization during this period. The findings support the argument for significant stratification within Mississippian polities, challenging views of political decentralization.

Buchanan, M. E. (2018). Patterns of Faunal Utilization and Sociopolitical Organization at the Mississippian Period Kincaid Mounds Site. Midcontinental Journal of Archaeology, 43(2), 151–179. https://doi.org/10.1080/01461109.2018.1439354