Research
*In-House Research*
Faunal Analysis of Pictograph Cave (24YL1)
Yellowstone County, Montana, USA
With approximately 14,000-15,000 specimens, representing at least 20
species of fauna, the Pictograph Cave (left, photo courtesy of Montana Fish,
Wildlife & Parks) faunal assemblage is vast in size and rich with diversity. The
cave is located outside Billings, Montana and since original excavations were
undertaken at the site in the late 1930s, it has been recognized as being a very important component for understanding the
prehistory of the region. With help from the zoological museum's Montana Comparative Skeletal Collection (MCSC),
research associate , Jon Hardes analyzed the small mammals, carnivores, birds, and herpetiles from the cave. For more
information about Pictograph Cave visit the following web site: www.pictographcave.org
Faunal Analysis of Site 5MN5462
Montrose County, Colorado, USA
Jon Hardes, a research associate with the zoological museum analyzed the
faunal assemblage from Site 5MN5462, a small rockshelter located in Montrose
County, southwestern Colorado. The faunal assemblage is comprised of
2,355 bones and represents an array of species including bighorn sheep
(Ovis canadensis) and Black-billed Magpie (Pica hudsonia).
*Research Loans*
Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) research at the
International Wildlife Museum, Tucson, Arizona, USA
Richard S. White, Jr., Director of the International Wildlife Museum, borrowed 15 Pronghorn
skulls and mandibles (example at right, photo courtesy of Skulls Unlimited International) from
the zoological museum for studies he is currently conducting on the species at his facility in
Arizona.
