Animal Bones

There were a large number of bones at the Greenwich Cove site—3,407 bones and bone fragments in all. In southern New England, such large groups of bones are only found under certain conditions. The bones at the Greenwich Cove site were well-preserved because shells buried nearby reduced the acidity of the soil, slowing decomposition.

Most of the bones found at the site probably came from animals that were used for food. Of all food animals, mammals—especially deer—were the most important. Even though they lived along the shore, the people at the Greenwich Cove site appear to have eaten more land animals than fish or waterbirds.

The species found at the site included:

Mammals

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus)
Eastern chipmunk (Tamias striatus)
Eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis)
Beaver (Castor canadensis)
Rabbit (Sylvilagus sp.)
Raccoon (Procyon lotor)
*Black Bear (Ursus americanus)
*Marten (Martes americana)
River otter (Lutra canadensis)
Striped skunk (Mephitis mephitis)
Canid (Canis sp.)—Possibly *timber wolf (Canis lupus lycaon) or domestic dog
Red fox (Vulpes vulpes)
Gray fox (Urocyon cinereoargentus)

* No longer found in Rhode Island

Reptiles

Snake
Pond, marsh, and box turtles (Family Emydidae)
Stinkpot turtle (Sternotherus odoratus)

Fish

Weakfish (Cynoscion regalis)
Tautog (Tautoga onitis)
Sea robin (Prionotus sp.)
Sand shark (Carcharias littoralis)

Birds

Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo)
Thick-billed murre (Uria lomvia)—in the family Alcidae, which includes the auks and puffins
Razorbill (Alca torda torda)
Hawk (Accipiter sp.)
*Sandhill Crane (Grus canadensis)