Cynomys gunnisoni zuniensis—(Zuñi Prairie Dog) 9.6%
The percentage of the Zuñi prairie dog is a doubtful figure
although it follows next in order of number of bones recovered.
The situation of some of these remains beyond question represents
a part of the food of the original inhabitants of Ruin 50, but others
are undoubtedly the result of rodents deceased in their burrows in
the mound from natural causes. During the excavation, many
such burrows were encountered and many had wrought havoc
with the burials. None, however, went deeper than the floor of
the Pueblo II structure. Insomuch as the prairie dog is an accepted
delicacy to most Indian palates of the present day, it was
not surprising to find it represented here. The first pit in Kiva
3 yielded prairie dog bones slightly charred. No other species of
prairie dog was represented.
