The Potential of Osteometric Data for Comprehensive Studies of Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) Husbandry in the American Southwest

In this paper we highlight the value of taking standardized measurements from fragmented bones of turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo) from ancient sites in the American Southwest. We present turkey measurement data from two sites in the Central Mesa Verde region of southwestern Colorado; Albert Porter and Sand Canyon Pueblos, dating to the Pueblo II and III (AD 920-1280) periods. Our analyses indicate that fragmented bone epiphyses can successfully distinguish male from female turkeys. Such data can be used to construct population profiles of turkeys and contribute to an understanding of husbandry and the domestication process. At Albert Porter Pueblo we also investigated whether or not turkeys from the Pueblo II period (A.D. 920-1140) differed in size from turkeys during Pueblo III period (A.D. 1140-1280). Although the average bone measurements are smaller for turkeys from Pueblo II compared to Pueblo III, our data are inconclusive and limited by small sample sizes.