Disclaimer

Data Quality: FaunAZ is based on the data within AZSITE: Arizona’s Cultural Resource Inventory (http://www.azsite.arizona.edu/). Cultural resource site and survey project data in AZSITE were compiled by manual data entry and data conversion from paper and electronic files at the Arizona State Museum, the State Historic Preservation Office, the Department of Anthropology at Arizona State University, the Museum of Northern Arizona, the U.S. BLM Arizona Field Offices, and National Forests in Arizona. While all agencies attempt to confirm accuracy at time of data entry, no guarantees are made as to accuracy and completeness. The accuracy of the identifications of zooarchaeological (animal bone) remains reported in FaunAZ is influenced by the skill and experience of the researcher who analyzed the remains; no attempt was made to verify the accuracy of the primary identifications reported herein.

Scope: FaunAZ contains only remains that were collected from archaeological sites. The database does not include paleontological or other remains not associated with past human activities. Every attempt was made to locate faunal lists from all sites recorded in AZSITE and include this data in FaunAZ. However, many species lists could not be located. FaunAZ will continue to be updated as additional data is available, although a certain degree of time lag should be expected between publication and posting in FaunAZ.

Taxonomy: The preferred taxonomy used in FaunAZ is that employed by the Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS: http://www.itis.gov). However, for the convenience of users, FaunAZ also recognizes commonly used, but currently invalid, synonymous scientific designations. ITIS is also the source for accepted common names; please use ITIS to double check the common name of your target species if your search returned no results.

Exotic Species: Humans often move animals or parts of animals some distance from their natural range. Caution should be taken in using the data in FaunAZ to reconstruct natural ranges. For example, while macaws (parrots) are not native to Arizona, several macaw specimens are found in the FaunAZ database. In prehistory, humans brought live parrots from Central America to Arizona. Their presence in archaeological sites is due to human behavior and does not reflect the macaw’s natural range. Some animals are more likely to be moved long distances than others, and archaeologists can aid in distinguishing human behavior from natural occurrence. Before these data are employed in policy or practical applications, consultation with archaeologists is strongly recommended.

Geographical Coverage: Archaeofaunal data from tribal lands is not included in FaunAZ nor in AZSITE. Tribal lands appear as yellow on the map application. For security reasons, specific site location information is NOT available through FaunAZ. Those individuals who would like to know the location of cultural resources must contact the AZSITE Database Administrator at azsite@arizona.edu for instructions on how to access spatial data; fees are required for accessing AZSITE (https://azsiteapp.rc.asu.edu/azsite).

The user is also cautioned that the geographical coverage of fauna is heavily influenced by the history of archaeological investigations in the state. In some parts of Arizona (such as the Phoenix-Tucson metropolitan areas), extensive archaeological excavations are common while other areas have experienced very little archaeological investigation. An absence of faunal remains in some areas of the state may reflect only a lack of archaeological investigation, or the lag time in getting paper records computerized, and may not reflect the extent of that species’ past geographic range.

The findings, opinions, and recommendations in this report are those of the investigators who have received partial or full funding from the Arizona Game and Fish Department Heritage Fund. The findings, opinions, and recommendations do not necessarily reflect those of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission or the Department, or necessarily represent official Department policy or management practices. For further information, please contact the Arizona Game and Fish Department.