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Artifact

Snapper

Snapper

Common Name: Vermilion snapper

Scientific Name: Rhomboplites aurorubens

Although Spaniards living at San Luis preferred meat over fish and seafood, they observed the Catholic practice of avoiding meat on Fridays and other occasions throughout the year.

"…Juana Caterina, wife of the said deputy, who gave two slaps in the face to a cacique of [the Indians] of San Luis, because he had not brought her fish one Friday…"

Don Patricio, Cacique of Ivitachuco, and Don Andrés,
Cacique of San Luis, to the King, February 12, 1699

Notes:

Animal Used at Mission San Luis

The study of plant and animals from sites (ethnobotany and zooarchaeology, respectively) is one of the most illuminating aspects of archaeological research. It can reveal details about past environments, resources, settlement patterns, agricultural practices, architecture, social life, and diet unavailable from other types of data.

Since plant remains are so fragile and often difficult to see, we have limited their display to a static exhibit case format (see "Apalachee Life"). However, we have selected some animal bones found at Mission San Luis, along with comparative skeletal materials (Drawers 17-26), to give to a sense of the challenges faced by those researchers who identify, analyze, and interpret these materials.

We have supplemented the skeletal materials with archaeological and documentary information about the use of these animals in Spanish Florida and at Mission San Luis.

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